Date: 2010-04-27
From: 501 SHelter

To: Eagles Nest Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: broken clouds

Day 4 Tues Apr 27th"...they say its my BIRTHDAY!...dah,dah,dah,dah,dah,dah,...Happy Birthday to me, ya'll!"...Its my 56th Birthday today...celebrating another one on the A.T.My lovely wife, Donna ("D-bird") shipped a card &* some cashews in my backpack...THANKS, HONEY!"Scout & Boo" even sang Happy Birthday to me....ahhhhhhhhwwwwwwwwas i read my card & ate cashews....yummmmmm ;0)Looks like the rain is letting up a bit...Maybe Sunshine today? (hope, hope)8:30am...Outta the 501 shelter...w/ the rain gear on...the wind is really whipping up..."TREK" (NH)thru-hiker, stopped in just to sign the shelter register (he started on Springer Mtn, GA in January)...i took his photo...but, dont mention WhiteBlaze.net to him...he doesnt like it (nuff said).I hike back to the trail after filling my water bottles...back to the White Blazes!Let's hike!...over 1 spring...& the Sun starts playing "peek-a-boo"...but, the winds are still kicking strong...We'll have some views today...no fog...i take lots of photos...hike by the shower steps...nice view here...Beautiful views of the PA country-side...very nice.a few more miles into the hike...i walk thru Hertlein Campsite...(my original destination yday)stopped & got water here...glad I stayed @ the 501 shelter...this camp was a disappointment...(dont know what i expected but expected more)The temps seem to be in the mid 50s or so...the Sun is still playing "Peek-a-boo" w/ the clouds...but, no rain...i hike on...I still have the rain jacket & hat on for warmth...i hike past Shuberts Gap...& the PA ROCKS start...loads of them...Today...they are the worst theyve been thus far...small ones...fist size ones...(jagged, stiocking outta the ground) then bread basket size...then the large, boulder fields...FUN, huh?i hike on....my pace has slowed to a crawl...these rocks are eating away @ my new boots!(Vasque Sundowners)i chose to wear my heavy boots (instead of my Vasque Velocity Trail runners)because of these ROCKS...& i definately made the RIGHT decision...I'm very careful where I step...even with nice, heavy boots,............. gotta watch the ankles!...dont wanna bust 'em on these PA ROCKS.I hike past Hwy PA 183...& the Ft Dietrick Marker (French-Indian War)more nice views...more photos...past Black Swatara Spring & a few miles later the Sand Spring Trail...MORE ROCKS!....ugggggggh!watch your step!The last couple miles to the shelter...I was dragging...very tired.I stopped for water @ the creek....ahhhhhhh...good, cold water (havent had to treat my water yet)...then onto Eagles Nest Shelter...5pm I'm the first hiker here @ the shelter...i un-pack & stake out my claim to the side of the shelter (next to a wall) & make a cell phone call home...& surprisingly have a signal here....WOW!..."Scout & Boo" arrive abt 30 mins later...I cook supper (Mtn House Turkey Tetrazzini)& BIRTHDAY cashews for dessert..yummy!It was a very tiring day.Into Port Clinton tomorrow for a food mail drop (@ the Post Office)& possibly a shower!...wooooo-hooooo!Feet are tired...but, otherwise...feelin' good so far.                              15.1 miles today