Stranded AT hiker seeks ride to PA - 80 West - Will pay for ride

Lodi, New Jersey is where this morning's first ride brought him; hitcher friendly it is not. Hitch hiking is illegal in the state of New Jersey. Within a very short amount of time he was stopped by three officers. They all told him he could not do what he was doing. One officer, however, did tell him that since this was his road to patrol, if Jonathan would move off and lay low for a bit, he could resume hitching after the officer was out of sight and would not be bothered. This advice, although taken, was not fruitful for another officer came by shortly thereafter. This clearly was not the route to Delaware Water Gap.

On to Plan 2.....Jonathan went to a gas station and watched for PA plates and then attempted to explain his situation and request a lift. People were not interested in stopping to listen; one even ran from him to his car.

Plan 3..... Sit passively on the outskirts of the station holding a sign that read:

Stranded AT hiker seeks ride to PA - 80 West - Will pay for ride

One person did stop and try to give him change - not what he was looking for. Most everyone else just averted their eyes. One of the officers from a previous encounter stops by for another 'move along' kind of chat; he can not relate to the idea of an AT hiker; suggests the New Jersey Transit into New York.

Plan 4..... Jonathan decides that although expensive, this is about his only option. We last speak as he is walking the three miles to the bus station for a route into NYC. From there, he can get a bus to Delaware Water Gap, PA where there is a hostel run by the Presbyterian Church of the Mountain. He's hoping they will be open to welcome his weary spirit. He is not at his happiest. ~ Amy