Date: 2008-07-13
From: Pa. 443 -near Green Point

To: 501 Shelter
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: broken clouds

I took my time getting up this morning as I didn't expect to see the others until 9:00. After breakfast I met "Engineman" whom was the trail angel returning to restock his vintage metal cooler.We talked for an easy half hour, he was an intersting man whom enjoyed kayaking and shared several stories with me. I learned that the rust colored water I have been noticing in several places including from running springs, is actually the acid run off from coal. The many sink-hole like depressions in the area were from people who dug for bootleg coal during the depression years. I thanked Engineman for his generosity and expressed my sincere appreciation. I also made note in his journal, about Chainsaw's trail magic as well.Not long after, the girls arrived along with Bull Dog. They enjoyed a little trail magic and once again, we were heading north. ( Almost)Within a couple of miles we came to an old iron bridge at Swartas Gap. Just a mere 2-1/2 miles east was a little place called Lickdale. A camp store, Wendys, Subway and gas station with fried chicken was there for the taking. Hmmm...., What to do?Sprite volunteered to watch the packs, while Bull Dog, Freckles and I made the side trip to Lickdale. By now, it should be obvious, a treat such as this, is rarely passed up. And rest assure, a detour for town goodies is always a treat.I picked up a few things at the camp store, necessities like bug spray and several Honey Buns. Next stop was Wendy's, I wanted a triple decker everything!Afterward, I found some other snacks at the gas station. Freckles had managed to get us a shuttle back to the trail head. Another ride in the back of a pick up, I always enjoy that.The morning started out great, but soon after, the sun ducked behind thick clouds. By late afternoon it started to rain. It was a heavy down pour that seemed to get worse with each passing minute. The thunder was loud and shook the ground beneath me. Lightning was striking with deafening cracks getting closer & closer each time.This situation was made worse by the fact I was on a ridgeline and steadily climbing up higher. Knowing this was not a smart thing to do, I knew I was within a couple of miles of reaching the 501 Shelter. The question was, would I live long enough to get there?The thunder & lightning were right on top of me. It sounded like incoming artillery rounds exploding. The lightning was close, danger close, at one crackI yelled as I thought in the next mili-second I would see my own asshole & elbows bursting into a red mist. I truly thought this was it for me.Freckles & I were in close proximity, eventually we made it to the Shelter.This was a closed cabin with windows and a large transparent plastic dome in the ceiling. Inside were bunks and a couple of picnic tables. What good fortune, this is the only shelter of it's kind on the trail. Far better than being in a 3-sided shed in this type of weather.Sprite had not shown up yet. I couldn't help but wonder if she was alright?If something did happen to her, no one would find her for a while. I headed back out to look for her. Fortunately, after several minutes she appearred on the trail. I was relieved and we returned to the shelter.We soon found out that you could phone an Italian restaurant in a neighboring town and they would deliver to the road near by. Unbelieveable! Have I mentioned how much I love the AT?This kind of luck only happens in the movies or fairy tales or so I once thought.Within an hour, I was in dry clothes, enjoying my lasagna dinner with salad & garlic bread. Oh & let's not forget the Coke! And just for good measure I had ordered a large Italion Sub to have for breakfast. In speaking with a Forest Ranger who lived nearby and checks in on this shelter, it has been normally packed with many people. Tonight it was just us three. Quiet, to ourselves, with no disruptions. Although we enjoy being around others, more often than not we camp in our own company.Tonight, out of the weather, enjoying the light show through the domed roof, eating a good dinner and having our peace was an incredible gift. We are blessed and we have remarked about this many times. Angels are walking with us.