Sussex, NJ (USA)

[The weather took a turn for the worst this morning... I did get a pretty early start on this rainy day but encountered a school bus, was thwarted in getting breakfast because Friendly's opened late and finally ended up changing destination (from NJ-284 to NJ-94). Breakfast at Dunkin Donuts on NJ-94 (0800) and then continued my drive to the trailhead. I was hiking by 0845 (SOBO), wearing my rain poncho. The first third of this section took me across cattle grazing land and a long boardwalk across a swamp. The red-winged blackbirds were out in force, singing merrily. In the next section, I saw the only other hiking human of the day (a lady with her dog) and the terrain started upwards... The rain stopped, but it got markedly colder - my hands were not prepared. In the final segment, I had to climb up nearly 1000 feet to see the view across the Wallkill River valley - it was amazing: I could even see High Point, nearly 15 miles away, despite the overcast. I had to climb all the way back down again to reach Liberty Corners Road (turnaround point). I made good time but the trek (across green rocks all day) got harder all day. I met up with an unleashed pit bull on the way back - was concerned for a few minutes but I talked to her and she wandered on by without a second look. Arrived back at my car (3:00) after completing the first 14 miles of my day, just as it started raining again. I wasn't done, though, and drove on backroads over the hills so I could close one more gap at the Wallkill River NWR. Used Ol' Reliable to ride down Oil City (State Line) Road toward NJ-284 - until the chain broke (oh well - it was a good 20+ year run for the old gal...). Had to walk the rest of the way but I got to see a bald eagle strike an unsuspecting smaller bird - wow! After that, I hiked 1.4 (muddy) miles back to my car, capping off a nearly 16 mile day by 1645. Stopped at the nearby Heaven Hill Farm to get ice cream ("the sign said you had some!") but it wasn't in season. Settled for a tasty donut and some yogurt pretzels (1700). Checked into the Rolling Hills Hotel one more time (1830) - the price was right! Dinner at nearby Eastern Garden (1900). All that is left of the AT in NJ is the ~30 mile section inside Dell Water Gap NRA. More hiking (probably in NY) tomorrow! AT Today = 8.40 miles / Grand Total AT = 659.80 miles]