Date: 2004-06-27
From: Rausch Gap Shelter

To: Pine Grove, PA - PA 501-Shelter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: broken clouds

Woke up to some chilly weather. The day looked like it was going to be a pretty one. We broke camp in a hurry. Walking is the fastest way to get warm. I did take time to eat a hot breakfast and coffee. The morning part of the trail was not bad. I ended up walking with Mouse. This stretch was a tad confusing with road crossings and an out dated map showing a proposed reroute and a construction project at I-81. We dipped into the Swatara Gap and crossed the river. The highway construction was pretty interesting. Part of the trail going right through the middle of the site. It appears that the highway department participated a detour of the trail and therefore had this wonderful highway sign letting us know of the detour. It was funny to come up to a huge highway sign reading Appalachian Trail detour. The hill coming out of the Gap was another long steady uphill climb. The part the highway department did was very nice. Then we had to get back on the trial. Rocks and steep incline. The trudge slowed even further. The second ridge was different from yesterdays. Although we were in the woods, the trail was a maintained trail, grasses, poison ivy, raspberry bushes. Mouse and I ate raspberries from every bush we passed. I swear I ate at least a pint. They were yummy. Mouse was unsure if she wanted to a second day of seventeen plus miles. I left her at the first shelter and moved on. I promised her I wouldn't eat all the raspberries. At one point of the trail, a huge yellow lab came running up at me. For a split second I panicked, until the dog stopped and slobbered over me. Then a Springer spaniel and the owners showed up. The lab reminded me of our old Charlie dog. He was just excited to be out and off a leash. I got a doggie fix. I finally reached the next to last road crossing before the shelter. Hobbes was taking a break, so I joined him for a short while. We talked about the rocks. It seems to be the favorite subject among us hikers. Then off we went. Hobbes with his long legs disappeared in no time. This stretch had some vistas. I stopped at two of them and the third was right on the trail. The day was clear and I could see for miles into the valley. The terrain below is full of little farms. Very pretty. Then the shelter. This shelter is a fully enclosed shelter with bunks, a tenth of a mile off the road. A little confusing at first with this blue blaze to the parking lot and a trail to the caretaker's house. But I got lucky and found the right trail to the shelter on the first try. The long legs guys were already here. Chasqui, ChillOut, Hobbes. Chasqui was out, re-suppling in PineGroves. Then Mouse showed up. She blamed me for "making" her walk. Then Hobbes stated that I was a bad influence on other hikers. We all had a good laugh. Chasqui showed up with his trail angels in tow. Apparently he got a ride to and from town by a Mennonite family. They wanted to see the shelter, so he invited them in. They were curious about thruhiking. Turned out Chasqui got carried away at the store and came back with ice cream. Since there isn't a freezer in the shelter, we had to eat up the ice cream. Darn. Later, Hobbes, Mouse and I ordered pizza delivered. Finally the guys showed up along with SweatyPig. They in turn ordered pizza also. So, another pizza delivery was made to the shelter. This second delivery had a surprise, HeatMiser. He had showed up when the first delivery was made and got a ride into town and came back with the second delivery. It is good to see him again. After supper, we milled around, some of us journaling and early bedtime. I have an upper bunk. I hate upper bunks. But, not all shelters have bunks, so it will be only for tonight.Namaste'