Kate and I rode our Honda CBR's up to the Delaware Water Gap, PA the weekend of July 3/4 2009. Here's a quick summary of the trip.

We hit the road about 11:00 AM Friday. Again, the bikes got over 50MPG, even going 65 on I-195 and I-295. We kept to the speed limit considering the state's recent announcement of a speed crackdown during July. We saw plenty of police, too, many already in the process of ruining somebody's vacation.

We stopped for lunch at the Brass Rail in Hopewell, NJ, during which an intense thunderstorm passed over us. After lunch, we headed north on 31 to 579, then north to NJ 12. Turned left on 12 to Frenchtown and then the fun started.

We caught Rt 637 in Frenchtown, which runs along the Delaware to Millford, NJ. In Millford, we continued on 637 (Riegelsville Rd) which is at times only one lane wide, crammed between the Delaware and railroad tracks to the West, and a cliff face to the East. The end of 637 is just across the Delaware from Riegelsville, PA. Conveniently there is a (free) bridge across the Delaware here, that we took to PA 611.

PA 611 hugs the Delaware from here to Easton, and we continued north of Easton on 611, eventually (just past Martins Creek) making a right turn on Martins Creek Belvedere Road, which kept us along the river. Just before crossing the Delaware back into (Belvedere) NJ, we made a left, which kept us on the River Road on the PA side of the Delaware. Since we'd left 611, there was very little traffic here, and the River Road in this section is very exciting, with some "interesting" elevation changes, including one hairy 180 degree right turn at a three-way stop halfway up a hill.

Eventually, River Road is re-joined by 611 at the town of Portland, PA, Note: Google Maps shows a "Green St" that crosses a bridge over the Delaware at Portland. This bridge is pedestrian only, so Google Maps is wrong, you won't be riding over this. This bridge replaces a covered bridge that was destroyed in August, 1955.

From Portland to the town of Delaware Water Gap (hereafter abbreviated DWG) the speed limit is 55 which makes for spirited riding for the last few miles.

Arriving in DWG, the first large building on the West side of 611 is the Deerhead Inn, a 19th century inn that is still active. We had reservations and were shown to a surprisingly modern room with private bath on the fourth floor. The first floor has the bar and restaurant, and on many nights they have live jazz, for which they are justly renowned.

After checking in, unpacking, a quick email check (yes, WiFi here), we took a little walking tour of DWG. The town is tiny, just a few blocks, but has a nice selection of businesses, including an outdoor gear/bicycle rental shop and a dirt-bike shop.

DWG is also right on the Appalachian Trail, so we also saw many people with huge backpacks who were on their way through DWG.

Dinner at the Deerhead Inn was good, and the jazz was excellent. The room was $120 plus taxes.

On Saturday, after breakfast at the Deerhead, we took the "tram" tour of DWG and the surrounding area, which has a rich history. Among other things, it was famous for the celebrities who lived and/or vacationed there (Don Ameche, Jackie Gleason).

After our tram tour, and a bit of wandering about, it was time for lunch, and we went to the Village Farmer Bakery, which we highly recommend for the pie, the ice cream, and the lunch special: a hot dog and a piece of pie for $1.49. This place is wonderful. We'd seriously consider relocating to DWG just for the pie.

DWG is also famous as the home of Fred Waring, a famous band leader and entertainer from the middle 20th century.

We saddled up and headed out in the early afternoon, taking the River Road again down to Easton because it was such a great ride, and then staying on 611 as we were headed to Philadelphia as our next stop.
The Riegelsville Bridge as seen from the NJ side.
Cold Air Cave on 611 near DWG, always 38 degrees F.
Kate and the Delaware River, Rt 80 in the background.
Kate and Bill at the overlook over Rt 80.
Delaware River, Rt 80 in the background.
The Delaware, taken from the footbridge in Portland, PA.
Kate, Tour Tram, and the Indian Head on Mt. Tammany