DAY FOUR: Stroudsburg, PA!

June 5, 2007
Port Jervis, NY to Stroudsburg, PA
~50 miles
by Steven Felix

Today was quite an awesome ride if I might say so. We started out with fresh, hot bagels provided by the church, YUM! We then packed up our stuff (a bit slowly after a fun night in the graveyard). Our wonderful leader Liz was sweep today. So after helping a few people with their bikes (and helping Morgen with her tire-troubles) we left Port Jervis.

The ride out of town was great. There was a bit of traffic for the first few miles or so, but we quickly got away from that and were left along a quiet, beautiful road that flowed along the Delaware River. The four of us (Collin, Liz, Morgen, and I) caught up with another small group at a fork in the road. Corey had road up (literally!) the fork to verify the rumor of a waterfall at the top of the hill. Even though we came down just in time to tell us that there was no waterfall to be found, Collin and I decided to climb the hill for the sake of climbing the hill. But with just a little bit of effort we were able to find a beautiful waterfall about .75 miles up the hill. It was a bit of a hike, but well worth it. We returned to the base of the hill in time to find Liz and Liana sitting patiently on the gravel for us to return. BUt just as we were about to set off again, Collin got a mysterious flat tire. 5 minutes, some bike grease, a new tube, and a bit of rubber-burn later, we were ready to go again. We made it another 5-10 miles before we saw a chalked arrow for a right turn along with the initials of about 12300000 people (okay, it was like 12). This is where we had lunch! It was in a nice parking lot of another (more easily accessible) waterfall. The four of us spent a leisurely hour. Collin and Miriam (who was driving today) actually climbed halfway up (maybe 50 ft or so) the waterfall, which was quite impressive. Pictures to prove it.

Back on our bikes and on the road, we soon approached a boat ramp for the Delaware River. Seeing the opportunity, we stopped and jumped in, despite the rotting fish on the concrete ramp. Once again on the bikes, and only about 8 miles from our destination, I had a full blowout on my front tire. Ripped a 2 inch section of my tire to shreds. So once again, Liana, collin, LIz and I retired to a large, shady tree in front of the Pocono Indian Museum and Gift Shop. After a short nap (waitin for the van to come give me a new tire), we bought a few slices of pizza and then discovered some ticks in the grass (gasp!). Miriam arrived with the tire and the four of them played four square wwhile i changed my tire. Once again back on the road, we booked it to Stroudsburg, where we feasted on the left overs of lunch.

Later that evening we were free to go out and explore the town and do as we pleased. We ended the night searching for ice cream, but resigning ourselves to buying a pint of ben & Jerry's "Americone Dream" and then passing out on the floor.

A great day, despite the hot sun and the 4 hours spent on the bike.