Date: 2008-07-18
From: Bake Oven Knob Shelter

To: Palmerton 
Miles today: 8.0

I woke up before the others, but waited as I didn't want to disturb them. That is always a difficult choice, when staying in a shelter.After packing up, I went up the hill to S&F. We soon were heading out for the 8 mile walk to Lehigh Gap and blue blaze into Palmerton.It was already a hot day, I hadn't filled up with my usual 3 litres of water and had run out along the way. I had found a spring and was just finishing a quick re-fill when Rodeo arrived. She was pushing on, forgoing a stop into Palmerton. I think she was shooting for a tentative summit deadline and was doing bigger miles. Good luck Rodeo!I came across several Rat snakes sunning along the trail, 5 feet long is the norm. Walking the ridge I could see what had to be Palmerton in the valley below. Once I came to a road, I waited a while for S&F. After a while, I was really getting hot just sitting there, so I decided to move toward town. We were headed for the same place and would eventually hook up.The trail crossed a bridge over the Lehigh River, across a hiway and back up the foot of Blue Mountain. The desolate Superfund site was on top of this mountain. I was waiting once again looking down at the past mile I had just walked, in hopes to see S&F. "Rodeo" & "Dah Wah He" came walking up. We said our goodbyes or untils? They continued up the mountain and I headed the 2 or so miles into Palmerton.Along the way, I found myself inside a mining compound and across from an unmanned guard shack was a pay phone. I pulled away the cob webs and to my surprise there was a dial tone. Pay phones are a rarity these days. When I do find them, several have long since been disconnected. Since I don't carry a cell phone, this was a treat in itself.After some calls, I started walking, making my way toward the hiway. There I saw S&F walking the roadway, so I joined them. It was hot, upon reaching town the temperature was 103 degrees. The first person we met was Paul Kern, whom just happened to be President of the Chamber of Commerce. He welcomed us and gave us a run down of where and what the town had to offer.After stopping for a cold coke and Little Debbie at the gas station, we headed for the jail. Apparently there is a hostel in the basement for hikers? As it turned out, the basement of city hall has the hiker hostel, if they're closed on arrival you check in at the jail. We registerd at City Hall and were given a tour by Roger, (not sure what his officail title was)? But it seemed the equivilant of being handed the key to the city. We settled in, hung gear up to dry in the furnace room, then hit the streets for lunch, laundry and resupply. After 4:30 city hall closed for the weekend. We had the run of the place. Where else does this happen, ... Mayberry?Just before dark I happened to be upstairs in the main lobby area using the pay phone. I saw Party Animal standing and tugging at the locked doors out front.I opened up City Hall just for him. As it turned out, he was with John & Kelly and they were looking for a place to stay. After they checked in at the Police station they joined us down stairs. By this time Wavepool had shown up as well. How cool was this, our own private party provided by the good folks of Palmerton at no charge. Talk about a trail friendly town! I have only good things to say about my stay here.We spent the evening down the street enjoying good company, many laughs, great food and cold drafts. The AT life is like no other, You always live in the moment, appreciate the littlest of things and find yourself enjoying more of life. I love being here.Tomorrow my son Tony will be meeting us. He lives less than an hour from here.I haven't seen him since March, when he drove up to see me the week before I started this trek. Before that it had been 2 years.So from the basement of Palmerton City Hall, I bid you all a good night.