Date: 2004-12-04
From: Lehigh Gap, Pa

To: Blue Mountain Summit, Pa.
Miles today: 13.6

13.6 miles todaySleeping at GoosebumpsBlue Mountain Summit, Pa.I was sleeping soundly when the not-a-morning-person, Goosebump came out of her bedroom and started singing a Polka song while pointing her fingers in the air and turning around to the beat of her own music...terrible way to wake up!! Nah, actually it was fun waking up to a dancing pregnant lady.The lyrics she was singing go like this; (sing it in a polka beat)I don't want her, you can have her.She's too fat for me.She's too fat for me.She's too fat for me.   repeat...She's a two-some, she's a four-some.If she'd loose some, I would like   her more-some.         chorus...She's too fat, way too fat, way too   fat for me.Goosebump gets way too happy when she sings this song.She was hungry and wanted to go eat!! When a pregnant lady wants to eat, you get her food!! I've learned not to argue with pregnant ladies because it always hurts one way or another.Rainbow Slick drove Hippie, Goosebump the Snow Princess and me to the local diner.Hippie ordered a waffle with strawberry ice cream, whipped cream and syrup. Rainbow Slick smiled at the waitress and ordered the same thing. When it was Goosebump's turn to order, she said she wanted a big a__ breakfast. The waitress understood that!! I ordered my normal two eggs, homefries and toast.It was in the 20s out, so we weren't in any big hurry to get on the trail since we only had a short day planned.When we got back, we all got ready and Goosebump dropped us off at Lehigh Gap. Rainbow Slick, Hippie and I started walking south.There was alot of ice in the trail in the beginning of the hike, but not much the rest of the day because it was a dry area.We hiked a short way to George W Outerbridge Shelter and took a break. Rainbow Slick and I hiked on first and later Hippie told me she wrote alot of trash about having to hike with an "older" hiker. This must be a conspiracy because another young, wet behind the ears hiker I know is writing stuff about me.A-train pointed out that I was getting old, so I think that maybe when I get done hiking in about 30 or 40 years, I'll buy me a recliner and a comforter so I can spend my days just like him...reading a senior citizen's online trail journal.We hiked on and every time I came up on a hunter that didn't hear me approaching, I kept thinking what Hippie said to the hunter she snuck up on the other day..."Bad hunter!!"I'm not going to say that to a guy with a gun in his hands though, but it's a funny thought.I thought Hippie and Rainbow Slick wanted me to walk faster, so I kept a good pace. I got to Bake Oven Knob Shelter and talked to a weekend backpacker while I waited on them to show up. After a while they came in and we took a short break before Rainbow Slick and I hiked on.Hippie caught up and I followed behind Rainbow Slick over the rocks of Bake Oven Knob and then the Bear Rocks. We went over Knifes Edge next.I always have lots of fun walking over those big rocks. It was cold so we didn't have to worry about rattlesnakes. We only had to watch out for hunters.One mile before Rt 309 I saw a blaze orange ball coming towards us and when it got closer I saw that it was Goosebump. She walked in about a mile and then back to the car with us. When we got to the parking area, there was about 15 guys in blaze orange admiring a doe that one of them got.I never saw so much blaze orange in my life. There was still plenty of daylight left, but they were all in the parking lot.We went to a local buffet with great expectations, but Hippie and I were both dissappointed because we got full so fast...just two small plates of food. At least I did get some fried chicken!!We came back and got the cards out to play Hearts. We all taught Hippie how to play... ;-)Hearts is one of my favorite games because you can be so devious.We played until Rainbow Slick went over the limit. Hippie came in third, Goosebump was second and I won!! Ha!!I think Rainbow Slick pushed it too hard trying to keep up today because he's limping around with sore calf muscles. Those dang youngsters in their twenties should just read about backpacking and leave the walking for the "more experienced"...huh A-train??Amother great day on the A.T.