Hello again everyone and happy belated Halloween! I've been roaming around lower New York and main state New Jersey for the last week and have finally made it to the coast. I'm currently in Sea Isle City on my way to the southernmost tip of the state to take a ferry into Delaware. The best part about the last week has been the terrain. After I made it through Princeton, NJ ( full of ivy league snobbery ) the hills disappeared and I found myself in what seemed like the middle of nowhere. The Pine Barrens area of the state consisted of nothing more than trees and sand, there weren't even houses for thirty miles at a time. Luckily it was flat and the wind was held back by the treeline, so despite the rain ( constant for the last six days ) I made good time. Though there wasn't much to catch my eye in terms of scenery the desert like flatness made up for it.
I should tell you though about the mountains in north NJ and the fauna they support. My first day in the state I petered out around Wawayaset State Park and pitched my camp far off of the road near a stream. I was thankful to be away from the road noise for a change and I let the rain and crickets sing me to sleep. It was a long restful sleep, the kind you get on a Saturday after a long work week. When I awoke the rain had stopped long enough for me to feel as though I'd make some good progress for the day. I was going about my "morning business" when a LARGE black blob caught my attention. You guessed it, it was a bear. It wasn't too close, though it was close enough to be uncomfortable given my defenseless position. We stared at each other for a moment, then he turned his attention back to fording the stream. I said jokingly " Go on, it's not that cold! " And with that he splashed his way across. I was relieved, but the experience wasn't over. Three minutes later two more bears came marching through my spot. This couple seemed smaller than the last one and I found myself in awe of their silent gracefulness ( now that my pants were up ). We acknowledged each others presence but neither I or the pair seemed startled and I truly felt I was accepted as a part of their element. The contrast of black fur on gold leaves is something I'll remember forever. Then, as quietly as the came in, they went. And after I packed my things up so did I.
More recently I took in the beauty of a saltwater marsh along the Atlantic. It was the first I had ever seen. I was interested to see the way the water parted the grass and teemed with fish. The minnows swam along in a continuous ribbon through the shallows and the sand cranes dabbled their way around looking for a meal. With the sun setting underneath the cloud base it was a spectacular sight. And then later in the darkness the horizon was lit by the skyline of Atlantic City, equally as stunning. The rain had finally stopped and the clouds were being pushed out by a strong northern wind. I felt the promise of a clear day underneath the briskness of the gusts.
I was right. The next morning I rose with the sun and went back to the shore to soak in it's warmth. I was surprised when I got there, everything was gone. The birds, fish, and grass had all vanished. The tide had come in while I was sleeping and covered everything. So I went swimming, with so much water around what else was there to do. I guess I was a little excited to see the sun for the first time in ten days.
I unexpectedly needed to replace my rear tire ( it looked like the surface of the moon ) and was lucky to find a bike shop that had what I needed. The store was huge, the biggest I'd ever seen. As it turns out, they sell merchandise online all over the world and I had stumbled into the main storefront. The mechanics were very friendly and even gave me two free tubes. I got some local beta about the road ahead and then the owner ferried me through the city in his Mercedes station wagon. Cruisin' the city in style! I felt like I was in a rocket ship.
All is well here and I'm glad my pace has slowed enough for me to " take it all in. " The stories I've shared would surely have never occurred if I was still gunning for Horse Pens. Oh, and I hit 2000 miles about three days ago and to celebrate I ate an entire pint of Ben & Jerry's, smores if you'd care to know. That's all I've got for now, thanks for checking in. I'll be seein' ya!
P.S.-Jaime, I'm saddened to hear about your wife's untimely passing. I wish for the sun to shine on you and keep you warm with the memory of the good things you've known. Your wife was a gem of a person and I'm glad I had the chance to meet her.
