May 5, 6 Days 12 and 13 — Bethlehem, PA to Phillipsburg, NJ (22 miles)

“It’s an abomination!” The Book of Leviticus

Yippee! I finally cross the Delaware into New Jersey, reminiscent of George Washington’s winter crossing except I’m walking and not in a boat and it’s May, not December. (What was he thinking? Bridges work way better.) But I am getting ahead of myself. Let’s back up a bit. Day 12 is a short jaunt from Bethlehem (near airport) to Bethlehem (downtown). The 5 miles in between fly by and are hardly eventful except for several garage sales I pass. I’m hardly in the market to acquire anything given weight restrictions. I crave the rest day, even if spent at the local laundromat. My freebie at the Bethlehem Hyatt Place is pure luxury. Nephew Andy and his woman friend, Lauren, make dining out a treat. I crave company and am tired of talking to myself. “O Little Town of Bethlehem” renews body, mind, and spirit.

On Sunday, I’m raring to go like a caged race horse at the Kentucky Derby. Andy joins me for the long haul to Easton (due east as the name suggests) via roads that require constant attention when sidewalk-less (which is often). Our triumphant entry into town becomes even more glorious as Judy, Pat, and Carrie walk in the opposite direction to greet us with smiles, hugs, and excellent provisions. We picnic conveniently in Riverside Park at the junction of the Delaware and Lehigh Rivers. Lunch is gobbled up effortlessly. Bellies full, we cross the Rubicon, I mean the Delaware. One state down, five to go!

And then comes the highly complicated car shuffle–a strategic placement of vehicles so that my walking companions can be with me now and still have wheels at the next destination. However, lodging in Phillipsburg is today’s biggest challenge. Pat says, “What could be more enticing than an Inn–The Phillipsburg Inn?” That would be a big no! As exotic as the word “Inn” may sound to you, picture instead a long deceased Howard Johnson motel from the 1950s with no structural improvement or changes except in name over the decades. Yes, The Phillipsburg Inn is a reincarnation of HJ with enough poor karma to work out for an eternity. I marvel at my flexibility to accept anything rather than walk any further. To mark the occasion, Carrie finds the appropriate verse straight from Leviticus from the Gideon’s Bible by the bedside. “It is an abomination!” I totally agree, but the 17-mile walk today will ensure a sound sleeping experience tonight anyway. Thank God! (miles to date: 175)

(Note the beautiful silk banner I received today, created by Kristin Wagner.)