I have never been so happy to be in New Jersey! The walk over the Delaware River on I-80 was fun with lots of honking & waves and the rocks were far better today than yesterday. I saw another bear and I reached my first glacial pond. Throw in a $2 shower, the frogs & whip-poor-will calling and all is great. If the impending thunderstorm behaves itself, that is!

We’re tenting at the AMC’s Mohican Outdoor Center tonight. Since I’ve been an AMC member for years and—at times—an AMC trip leader, it feels comfortable here.

The bear was cool. It was 40 feet off the trail just a couple of miles into Delaware Water Gap Park. I heard the usual snorting sound, looked over and spotted the bear hiding behind a tree. I am guessing he/she was 150-200 pounds. I took a couple of pictures and walked on feeling safe.

Sunfish Pond was awesome! It is the first body of water that feels like home. The water was clear & tasty; sunfish, frogs, and tadpoles where everywhere; and the AT skirted around the pond for almost a mile! It felt so good to be there. Now it’s just about another week until I’m in New England!

I met Tim tonight, a 3rd time thru-hiker from Ohio. After not seeing any bears in his last 5,500 miles of hiking, he saw three today! Condor is here as well as Wings & Feather, Packrat, Mad German, John, and Lucky Star. Hoplite may also roll in later today.

I heard from Rockhound too! He called my cell and is just 60 miles behind me now.