Covid Cross Day #3 Delaware Water Gap, PA to Hazelton, PA

Covid Cross Day #3
June 3, 2020
Delaware Water Gap, PA to Hazelton, PA 62.5 Miles

Start 7:10 AM Finish 3:16 PM
Ride Time 7:34

Ascent 4230 Feet

Descent 3045 Feet

Tour Total 232.6 Miles
Details at: https://cyclemeter.com/3f1ef27914a4c684/Cycle-20200603-0710-90510

I slept alright stealth camping at the Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Last evening after I had set up my tent, two different people had walked by and noticed me from the nature trail. It got dark soon afterwards, and no one reported me. There were thunderstorms throughout the night as forecast, but my gear was secure and I made it through the night. It wasn’t raining when I got up, and I was able to methodically pack. My tent was soaking wet and ten pounds heavier. It had to be strapped underneath my rear rack pack.

I was riding down Cherry Valley Road aka the Stroud Greenway aka Pennsylvania Bike Route V. I was passing old farms, beautiful old houses from the early 1800s, and dilapidated barns. I started spotting deer almost immediately. The air was cool and the pavement wet. I was wearing my shorts, jersey and sweater. Rain was in the forecast with 100% chance of thunderstorms by 1 PM. The sun was out and coming from behind me. Azaleas were in full bloom everywhere. The corn stalk sprouts stood about eight inches off the ground.

I stopped to take off my sweater and put on sunscreen next to the Rock Hill Concrete Company and gravel excavation operation. This place should probably be listed on a toxic waste site list, but it likely provides local jobs. I pity the health of anyone who works here or who lives nearby. What looked like a ski mountain was actually a slew of gravel, lime, and concrete. Prior to the trip I had received reports about aggressive motorists reacting to the tense current political situation. So far, I haven't had any negative experiences with motorists.

I stopped at the Sunoco in Saylorsburg and got myself a Starbucks Frappuccino Mocha and a pack of Tastykake mini powdered donuts. No one was wearing masks inside but there was clear plastic sheeting hanging in front of the cashier. I overheard a conversation between the cashier and an employee restocking donuts on the shelf. She claimed that she had absolutely no money. The cashier wondered when payroll would issue their next check.

After 187 miles I finally spotted my first Biden 2020 sign in somebody’s front yard. I saw another one a few minutes later on the other side of Kunkletown. I was riding through the Poconos, and all of the tourist services were closed. I noticed dozens of chipmunks and squirrels, and even spotted an otter pup.

While riding into Kresgeville I played leapfrog with the mail carrier. I finally got out ahead them. It reminded me of the game I'm used to playing with the B-69 bus on Vanderbilt Avenue in Brooklyn. There were so many deer on the road. I heard shots being fired from the Indian Moon Rifle Range. Raindrops began falling at 10:20am.

I knew that I had a big hill to climb, so I stopped in Jonas at the Jonas Mart. I got myself a large orange juice and banana, and then ordered an egg sandwich. I should have cancelled the order when I realized she was using a microwave and toaster oven. It should have been the last straw when I noticed she wasn't wearing gloves. It was the worst egg sandwiches I’ve ever had. The top was even burned. I sat on a bench out front and noticed a vending machine that sold live fishing bait.

This year, in addition to the cans, bottles, and fast food container that litter the roadside there were now rubber gloves and masks. I encountered a headwind as I climbed the hill. The sky was getting dark so I removed my sunglasses. I was definitely headed into rain, or it was coming for me.

It started drizzling as I came to an intersection. A motorist in a pick-up truck offered me shelter. I assured him that I had plenty of gear. He looked at my rig and agreed. The rain hit full force, and I put on my rain jacket and turned on my lights. I put on my shoe covers to keep my feet warm. I rode through heavy rain and thunderstorms with occasional cracks of thunder.

It brightened up a bit at 1:30 PM, and I turned off my lights. I was studying the weather forecast and researching my sleeping options. I skirted the perimeter of Hazleton riding through sprawl. There were busy 4-lane roads with heavy traffic. I passed fast food, shopping centers and a Walmart. There were numerous hotel options close to the Penn State Hazleton Campus. I spotted Damon's Grill next to a Fairfield hotel. Two of my problems were now solved.

It was masks-only inside the hotel. For some reason, rooms with two queen-sized beds were cheaper than smaller rooms with a single king-sized bed. The pool and fitness center were closed because of the pandemic. I asked the clerk about Damon's and where I could find beer.

My first order of business was to set up and dry my equipment. The bedspread on the spare bed where I'd be setting up my tent was white. I found a yellow blanket in the closet to prevent the bed from getting dirty. Leaves, dirt, and sticks fell everywhere. I later found a slug crawling across the blanket. I clipped the soaking wet fly to the window curtains and turned on the heater and fan. With some clever engineering I was able to get it billowing like a sail.

All of my wet gear was methodically hung around the room to dry. I used the sink to shave and do laundry. I took a warm shower and deep scrubbed my body. Afterwards I used the remaining large towels to wring the water out of my laundry. I stretched a line across the room and clipped up my clothes to dry.

The next order of business was beer, which apparently in Pennsylvania is not so easy to obtain. I had to ride 15 minutes to a grocery store that was at the top of a large hill, surrounded by ugly sprawl and dense motor traffic. The beer section at Weis Market was separate from the rest of the store. I purchased a six pack of Fat Tire and three warm bottles of Brooklyn Lager. I had to wait in line for a second cashier to pay for the chips.

There were dark clouds in the sky and a downpour was imminent. I called in my order at Damon's and rushed back to barely beat getting wet. Back snug in my room, I enjoyed a bacon cheeseburger and fries along with cold beer. Afterwards, I edited yesterday's report.