Date: 2016-05-21
From: Bake Oven Knob

To: Palmerton- Lehighton, still PA
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: overcast clouds

5/21/20161257.1Today seemed like it was two days in one, the hiking day from 7- 2 and the town day, getting a place to sleep then securing a ride to someplace to eat and resupply.We had not slept well for two reasons: 1) trying to balance on a narrow airpad. 2) listening to the constant chomping of porcupine at the doorstep of the shelter that would not be dissuaded by any means. Bob was able to get a picture. It was amazing. They chomped all night long. Many shelters have grates up all along the porches to prevent porcupine damage. This one did not. The hiking did not fail to include several long boulder field crossings but was tame compared to the day before and had many pleasant trail areas and a even few areas without major sharp rock obstacles to navigate. We ran into a group of scouts on an overnight who asked us some questions about thru -hiking. It is always fun to talk to young people. I would like to add that Pennsylvania scouts really hike!Upcoming hikers, don't stay at Mooneys Motel. Promises to get you back and forth to Palmerton as needed will not be kept. There is spotty WiFi. The shower has no tub so your plans to soak your sore muscles are not workable. There is only one trash can and it is tiny so soaking the foot in Epsom salts, while possible is not exactly relaxing.I called three churches after googleing "churches in Lehighton.". I left a message that we were a through hiking couple looking for a ride to and from church.   One church was small enough that the number was really the pastors home phone. His wife said she would have him call us. Another pastor who checks his voice messages on Saturday amazingly called us first and offered us the ride.   We will be going to church tomorrow.After trying all shuttles listed with no hope of getting to a restaurant or resupply, the son of the owner of this place finally took us into Palmerton. We didn't know how we would get back but had downloaded the Uber app with hopes there. Our ride said, "I'm sure you won't have trouble finding a ride back. Just ask around."Really.?...! URG. We took one backpack with us with our dirty laundry inside. We ate at Berts Family restaurant (breakfast for our lunch - supper). We were hungry for eggs. We kept the laundry going next door at the Laundromat while we ate. There was a sign on the Laundromat door that said " Hikers Welcome. Shirts and shoes required per PA state law. ". We had been told at the flip flop festival that hikers had lost their welcome in some towns due to doing all their laundry in the village Laundromat while basically naked ( maybe in a rain tarp). If you don't have town clothes, what do you do?We carry the extra weight. After eating we walked down a couple of blocks to the pharmacy and the town grocery. We bought a head of lettuce to have sometime tomorrow and a small bottle of ranch.   We will have lettuce wedges on our day off. We were asked if we were bothered by the fact that everyone passes us by. We are not. We love meeting them as they pass. We know our limitations and are hiking our own hike. Everyone is friendly and encouraging. We are impressed with ourselves despite our speed and while we do want to challenge ourselves, we are not interested in killing ourselves just for more miles unless that means the prospect of a meal and shower at the end of the day.   We love keeping in touch with those we meet via the notes they leave in the shelter logs or their online journals. We alway particularly look for Zip-tie's logs which we can count on for a laugh or smile. She has also been a wonderful help to us via text.   A few days back she sent us an invitation to a party with cake in Delaware Water Gap celebrating the end of Pennsylvania. We love that! We will celebrate vicariously and are so happy for those who have finished Rocksylvania and look forward to the day they will celebrate vicariously with us when we finish it.