Date: 2018-05-14
From: Rausch Creek Shelter

To: 501 Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: light rain

There was certainly hiker togetherness last night with seven of us side-by-side in a shelter built for six. It continued to rain well into the night, and the shelter only leaked a little, over me and adjacent Jello. There was snoring, but not bad and I slept. I was on the far right of the shelter. Occasionally either Jello or I would turn over, bumping the other. Apologies were soon forgone, and it was kind of nice to be so close to another human. I dreamed of Willow who is now a half or even a full day behind. I miss her gentleness and smile. And I want to find out how her son Caleb did in the Conference track races. We all woke together, as though we had any choice, and once again I was the first out, followed by Furnace and Sam. Sam is now known as Baby Bird. He had Ramen last night and added dried sausage to it. Instead of using a knife, Sam would bite off a small piece, bend over his cook pot, and release it. The bobbing remind people of a bird.It wasn¢t raining this morning, but the fog was so thick that a pack cover was needed. About an hour in, Furnace passed me and Baby Bird caught up. He is having a tough day after the 18 miles yesterday. I took two Aleve this morning and that seemed to help. The trail was still squishy wet and I was glad that I had put on my wet socks, instead of wasting my dry pair. For some time, the trail meandered through Pennsylvania Game Lands that had been proscriptively burned on May 9. In spite of the rain, the campfire-like smell persisted. At one point, I was surprised to see a white or very light squirrel scurrying away. It stood out brilliantly against the burnt vegetation. We are in a different trail maintaining territory today and the trail was poorly marked. I found myself confused at the top of a rock heap and had to resort to Guthook to relocate the trail. But first I tried exploring on my own. I was rewarded with a sighting of a pink lady slipper, one of our native orchids. There were also orange efts, looking like salamanders. Rain always seems to bring them out and we try hard not to step on them. It would be very bad Trail Karma. There were long stretches of rocks, both large and small. Thanks to the rain, they were extremely slippery. I didn¢t fall, but Baby Bird whacked he ankle pretty good, adding insult to what was already a bad day for him. The sun finally came out this afternoon, and we all took many breaks. Baby Bird may stay at the shelter before this one, William Penn. I hope he decides to come the addition 4 miles. The 501 Shelter was a Potter¢s studio and is an enclosed building with bunk space for 12 and a skylight above where the wheel would have been. More importantly, we can order pizza from here! There is potable water from a spigot on the side of the caretaker¢s house, and I enjoyed an icy cold bandana bath, actually doing more than moving the dirt around. I also realized that my Scarpa Rapide shoes are nearly worn out after just two weeks, with the worst of Pennsylvania still to come. I placed an order for a more durable model with Zappos and they should be deliver tomorrow to the hotel in Lititz where I¢ll be staying Wednesday and Thursday nights. I do look forward to seeing my friend Mike again and having my first zero day!Now, it¢s pizza time!