DELAWARE WATER GAP HIKE

August 2002. When my pet-sitting assignment ended, I left Sambuca's house and headed for the Delaware Water Gap, but I departed late and it was dark before I reached my objective. At 10:30 PM, I found myself driving alongside the old barge canal that parallels the Delaware River. I spied a bridge over the canal, and I crossed over and parked in an open field, sandwiched between the canal and the river. I threw my sleeping pad on the ground and while it inflated, I fished in my backpack for my sleeping bag. There was no need for a tent (I thought); the stars were out and the heat was oppressive.

I hit the rack, anticipating a restful sleep in the privacy of my newfound campsite surrounded by water.

Zzzzzzz…Slap.

Zzzzzzz…Slap

Zzzzzzz…Slap

I had four choices.

1) Put up the tent. Too tired.
2) Lather up with Deet. Too messy and too tired to look for it.
3) Swathe myself in mosquito netting. Did not have any.
4) Sleep in the car. Yes!

When I woke up the next morning, I discovered I was only about 1/2 mile from Locks 22 & 23. I spent the day walking the canal. I passed a lot of hikers and bikers and dogs. I was the only fool lugging a 33 lb backpack, although I passed several people with daypacks, presumably loaded with picnic paraphernalia. That was not a good test of my hiking endurance, because the canal was flat and level, unlike the reality of the AT which is rocky, uneven and packed with severe ascents and descents. Nevertheless, it was a good test for my knee. Not good, it still hurt.