Dalton, PA to Sussex, NJ

Julie and I decided to sleep in the back of the pickup last night, as it was lightly sprinkling at bedtime. At peleton last night, we had our last communion service together, in the dark, as the days are getting shorter. But that just enhanced the experience.

The ride today lived up to the billing as being one of the toughest days. We climbed 6,900 feet today. It started out tough with a couple really steep grades before I could get my legs warmed up. They were not long hills, but very steep. Eastern PA is all hills. We actually reentered NY state today as we passed through the town of Port Jarvis, a little tip on the Delaware River. We then entered New Jersey, and it is all hills in this part of the state also. After we crossed the Delaware River, we had a long climb to High Point State Park, the highest point in NJ. One of our NJ bikers family, Sandy Westra's, had a refreshment spot for us at the top if the tough climb. I t was a nice overcast, cool day though, and that helped a lot in my energy level.

I arrived at Sussex Christian School at about 2:30, putting in 82 tough miles. I biked the day with Case. He is a better climber than I, but he stuck with me.

The NJ churches put on a fabulous dinner for us in the evening. Thanks go to them.

There were not a lot of level ground spots on the school grounds, but I managed to find a spot were we could back the pickup up to a spot. Our mistake was in not sleeping in the pickup bed and it rained lightly during the night and got our pillows and bedding wet by morning. We will need to get that dried out tomorrow. I can't believe tomorrow is the last day of this long tour.

Love to all, P & J.