Date: 2006-10-25
From: New Tripoli Campsite

To: Eckville Shelter
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Another cold and windy morning. The PA Rocks pulled out all her guns today: boulders, ankle turners, pebbles, shards, etc. But I didn't fall. Not even when she didn't play fair by moving the rocks. Yep, you step on the rock thinking its solid and stable and then when your weight shifts, the rock teeter totters hurling you forward. Or another unfair trick PA Rocks play is allowing you to think that the ground you are placing your treking pole on is stable therefore able to support you. But, no. There is no ground beneath those leaves between those rocks. Your pole sinks into an abyss. But like I said, I didn't fall!I stopped in at the Allentown Hiking Club Shelter for food and a break and read the register. Those nobos really had a time with the rocks. From what I read, this next section coming up made them think it was their worst day on the trail. If that's the case, I'll be done with the worst of the PA Rocks soon. The shelter itself was cute with a little checker board painting on the floor, two bunks and a clean privy with a mirror and air freshener. Moving on to a warmer enlosed shelter for the evening though.One view of a farm at Dan's Pulpit, the only view of the day. Made it to the Eckville Shelter before dark and met Mick, the caretaker. So cold and so hungry. I went into the shelter, an enclosed barn with an electric light and cooked up some pasta. A little later, Mick asks me if I know anything about computers and before ya know it, he's feeding me homemade bean soup with oyster crackers and a Black and Tan Yuengling and we are looking at pictures of his thruhike in 1996 on the computer and listening to political commentaries on the TV. And, its warm as he has a stove heater in his living room.And, as if the hiking world couldn't be any smaller and if I can't just get away from him, on Mick's fridge among the many thruhiker summit pictures, is one of my ex from '99. It about threw me for a loop when I saw it.You know today as I was hiking and freezing, I kept thinking, I want to go out on a date. I want to put on a flirty dress and mascara and fix my hair so it bounces when I laugh at some funny anecdote my McDreamy date shares with me as we sit in front of a warm fireplace in a cozy restaurant sipping on wine. Perhaps I've been in the woods alone too long. Perhaps I am tired of wearing the same three articles of clothing everyday. Perhaps I am tired of being a hunchedback quadroped wobbling over rocks and roots. When I return from this journey, I am signing myself up for two reality tv shows. Now, I don't watch much tv and certainly am not a fan of reality tv shows, but who cares. I first wanna go on Bravo's (I think) What Not To Wear. I'm sure those two fashion experts would have a field day with my current hiking attire. And given that I've lost 30 pounds that I don't plan to gain back upon my return to town life, any clothes I currently own will look like clown costumes on me. I haven't had a hair cut in 4 months and I threw out all my make-up before going on this trip. Send me to NYC and give me a make-over and a new wardrobe. PLEASE! Then, once, I'm looking hot, smokin' hot as my friend Will would say, I'm signing up for the Batchlorette. Im not big on letting the whole world in on my innermost emotions, but this broad ain't gettin' any younger. If I have to go on National TV to find a mate, then bring it on. Okay. Well, these are just some of the things I've thought about while hiking today.Battle of the AT score - Superstar, 5; PA Rocks, 1.Happy Hiking,Superstarwww.trailjournals.com/happyhiker------------------------------Sent via PocketMailEmail Anywherewww.pocketmail.com