This morning we awoke freezing. We decided to make an earlier start today and try to pick up the pace. We packed up camp and left at 8.30am. Our feet are raw with new blisters. We climbed up the banking on to the road and picked up Kimble’s Road heading east into Rowland. We were going at a good pace doing just over two miles an hour with our customary half hour rests but by 12.30 we were heavily tired and our backs were straining under the weight of our packs.

We found a roadside cafe and immediately got talking to the women who worked there, Cheryl and Fluff. They were local residents and Fluff actually owns the café. We talked to them extensively about our project and they gave us a great deal of information about the area.

We ordered burgers, fries and sides and when the food came we  could not shovel it in quickly enough. It was as if our bodies were starving for nutrients and were in desperate need of every morsel.

By now our shoulders were showing the effects of the straps with bruises, red pressure marks and scratches appearing from hoisting the bags on and off so regularly.

We said our goodbyes to Fluff, Cheryl and headed off down the road with a gallon of cold water in a maple syrup container that Fluff had given us.

We trudged on in 90 degree heat along a scorching road with surprisingly little shade despite the abundance of trees and bushes along the roadside.

After crossing the river we made the first serious error of the trip in terms of navigation and continued in the opposite direction to the one we wanted. It wasn’t until we had continued for an hour that we realised we had been going in the wrong direction. It was demoralizing but we could do nothing but rest for 20 minutes and head back the way we came down toward Lackawaxen.

Now we were really slowing up. Our feet were on fire, our blisters were causing incredible discomfort and we were taking half steps just to keep going. After 45 minutes we were back at the town only a few hundred yards from the Roebling Bridge. It is an amazing structure. We finally crossed over into New York State and rested at the roadside.

After another hour of walking along NY97 over the route of the canal we reached Lander’s Canoe rental and campground (81.48). So here we are in New York State with access to a shower and restrooms and as much junk food as we can eat. It is paradise. There are two other groups camping here tonight.
We have eaten and rested and are now just repacking our bags and allowing our feet to recover. Hopefully we will regain some feeling by morning.