NJ from the PA side of DWG
Last high point in PA offered a terrific view of the NJ terrain ahead. Great place for a snack and some musing. Sourball and Memphis would love this perch, gazing at the undressed earth so exposed. So much like the landscape of Big Falls where the New cuts through a low point in Brushy Mountain. The ridgeline back home is tilted more acutely, with the layers running steeper than this forty-something degree pitch. Reminded me of the geology instructor at Tech who scoffed at the idea of mountain uplift from plate tectonics or continental drift. Fossils extracted from the limestone, isotope dating, none of that was proof of anything beyond his big flood idea. Myth stories presented in his childhood, an indoctrination into the 'club' of his community of worship -- these were so deeply held that his very profession couldn't allow him to challenge the non-sequiter beliefs. He was made a fossil, buried in concepts drilled into him before he was old enough to think for himself. Get 'em while they're young.
Old ideas and concepts die hard despite any number of facts to the contrary. We cling to the familiar, our source of comfort. New perspectives, fresher ideas, facts that don't fit our carefully woven sense of self or being or purpose -- they threaten those aspects of our existance that gives us grounding and security. They are a frightening frontier. When the pieces of the life puzzle get recut, or scattered, flipped and mixed about, how many have the patience or make the opportunity to try to build a new picture? Wasn't that me? The puzzle I was piecing together wasn't painting pictures I wanted to finish. The image wasn't one to admire or appreciate. The little jagged edges could cut deeply even if gently handled. A new perspective was in the making, a new box to explore. A rearrangement to find a better fit.
Walking into Delaware Water Gap from the ridge lines was a long descent. Toward the botton, the path was like a roadwalk, with a lot of dayhikers out enjoying the middle of the week. Boomers were building, and I was anxious to catch up with friends, so while the knees weren't thrilled with the down, the day was productive with just under 20 miles put under the boots.