June 18 - 20.4 / 1,289.2

Well happy birthday to me.

My day started out by being woken up around 1:30 to some hiker's headlamps. It turned out to be DS, Castor, Scruggs, Big Dipper, and Scout. They ended up going in to town to watch the NBA finals. I left camp at 7:45 and ran into them at about a half mile later. They were all still asleep.

Hiking through the day, the rocks were still rough. The new shoes have made the feet hurt even more. In the afternoon, I made it into Delaware Water Gap. In town, I did a little resupply. I also stopped by the post office to mail some maps of PA home. Truly, I don't know why I sent them home. I don't plan to ever hike in PA ever ago. If you are thinking about it, then please think again.

I also stopped by the local outfitter. After resupplying, we went to the Doughboy for dinner. It was some what of a birthday dinner. I ate with Turkey, Thrasher, and Fusion.

After dinner, we headed out of town. We crossed over the Delaware River and into New Jersey. It was a boring state crossing as there was no sign telling us we were in a new state. The climb up to the camp ground was not too bad. However, I was ready to get there. Once I got there, I was speaking to a guy and he asked if I wanted a beer. I couldn't turn him down, especially on my birthday! We decided we would wait until it got dark as there was a ridgerunner around the campground. T and T, Fusion, and I joined the ridgerunner at his tent which overlooked the valley and another ridge. We watched the sunset and spoke with him. Once the sun went down, we met up with the guy with beer. Four of us (not including Turkey) split a six pack. I got two since it was my birthday. It was actually the other guy's birthday too. Before going to sleep, he asked Fusion and I if we wanted something special. We asked what it was, and he pulled out moonshine. We spent some more time drinking it and watching people come into the campsite really late. After a few drinks, we all parted ways to our tents.

My feet hurt, but it was a good birthday overall. I have tried to do something extreme the last three years. Three years ago it was skydiving. Two years ago it was old school roller skating. A kids high ropes course was last year. This year it is the Appalachian Trial. It's been an adventure and continues.