Date: 2018-05-27
From: Campsite at mile 1245.7

To: Mile 1257.8 PA 248 and 873
Miles today: 12.1

The rain held off and I woke up at 5am. I stretched before moving around in my tent to pack up around 6am. I could hear T-Bird, whom I'm sure we kept up last night by chatting thru our tents when we couldn't sleep. Then River was rustling around and it was clear we all had the same idea. Get packed up dry before the rain comes. We were successful in that, eating a cold breakfast we left camp at 7am and determined that we'd stop at Bake oven knob shelter for a hot breakfast 4.3 miles away. We'd need water then as we were carrying light, I only had half a liter but it was much cooler today in the upper 60's. The rain started as we were leaving camp. Perfect timing and we hiked with covered packs and no rain gear. Not far from our campsite the rocks started. The worst rocks we've seen so far and they felt like they'd never end. So brutal on the feet. We hiked up over knife's edge and Bear Rocks and Bake Oven Knob in the rain on wet rocks. All of us being thankful we weren't alone. We often tossed our poles down and climbed down backwards or butt slid for safety. The wet rocks were super slippery. River took a spill but was thankfully able to recover without injury. It took us 4 hours to get 4.3 miles to the Bake Oven Knob shelter. Half our normal pace. We were hurting and hungry and needed water. At the shelter we filtered water took off our boots and made a hot breakfast with coffee. Not having a privy and unable to wait T-Bird had to finally christen his trowel and make like a bear. Sliced Beets came in and joined us for a snack. His wife was slack packing him and he got to cross knife's edge without a heavy pack. At that moment I told River I could agree to slack pack the rest of PA. We texted Thumper who was hiking the same section with Sandals today and was ahead of us. She gave us some encouragement about the upcoming miles so we could determine what the plan would be. If we would make it to town or camp. With improving trail ahead we decided to call for rooms and a ride and get thru the rest of the miles to town. T-bird got the last bunk at Bert's hostel and River and I booked rooms in nearby Lehighton for 2 nights so we could zero and get errands done with Jo on Monday. We headed back out to finish our additional 7.8 miles to town. It did get easier after some more rocks and boulder scrambles and then the descent into town. The man at the motel had offered to pick us up in Palmerton, very kind of him. We texted him at the last mile so we could meet up at the junction of 248 and 873. We waited for him a while but were so happy to see him and sit down! My feet were throbbing and I couldn't wait to rest. We dropped T-Bird off at Bert's and headed to Lehighton and got checked in. I flopped on the bed and rested for a while. When I was able, I changed into my rain gear and River and I walked down the street to the laundromat and did our laundry. Sitting there in rain kilts and jackets with nothing on underneath eating granola and malted milk balls and laughing. Exhausted and in pain and hungry but having fun. We put clean clothes on in the bathroom and walked a little further to dinner at Saporos Italian restaurant. The service and the food were great and so was the conversation with Duck (real name Donald) who we struck up a conversation with as he was sitting at the table across from us. He's lived in the area a long time but didn't realize how close the trail was and was impressed with our hiking and thinks my husband is nuts. We had a lot of fun talking with him. A sweet man, very genuine and kind. I texted him the link to my journal and he might follow us along. We packed up our leftovers and walked back to the motel stopping next door for an ice cream sundae to go. I ate mine in bed with my feet propped up and a dose of ibuprofen. We made plans thru text to meet Jo at 9am and pick up T-Bird in Palmerton so he can resupply too.I texted Brian and even though I'm not a basketball fan the Celtics were playing the Caveliers for the series and game 7 was on, so I tuned in and we watched the game together in 2 states. When the game was over ( Celtics lost) we said goodnight and I fell asleep quickly.