Date: 2007-10-08
From: Kirkridge Shelter

To: Leroy A Smith Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: few clouds

mi 13.8sleep shelterdest. Leroy A Smith Shelter day 88 Last I learned something really important. Torque snores. Not a lot, but off and on enough. I tried to hang the hammock. The only trees close had posien ivy growing pretty thick on them. I still don't believe in it, but just in case I figured it best not to hang there. I tried hanging in the shelter. This is a large one with a porch area. But no go. The only other trees were across a trail or by the road a tenth or so behing the shelter. The plan was to wake up early and get a good start. Put in 20 and make an easy day into town. Well as usual those plans never last long. I did get moving by 7:30am. I would have gotten up earlier, but it is hard to get up when everyone else is sleeping. I didn't want to be the one to wake everyone up. Before I left I helped finish up the pies. I think I am carrot caked and pecan pied out for awhile. The family staying with us were nice enough to pack out some of the garbage, including the nasty slimy pie pan. They offered on this one. Not something I would ask. It turns out there car was only less than a mile away. Thanks again guys. I got headed south first. It was nice to to some solo hiking again. I did get a little surprise this morining. I was only a couple tenths away from the first road crossing when I thought I heard someone say something. I didn't see anyone walking at me. I turned around and looked and didn't see anyone. A voice said I'm over here. It turned out there was a hunter a little bit in front of me standing on the trail. He said he didn't see any deers this morning. He was deer hunting with a bow. His bow was technically hanging on a tree. He definitly wasn't wearing any nucluar orange camo. I guess if you are breaking one law and hunting on the trail where it is illeagal to, you may as well break a couple more. I just said I didn't see any. I asked and he said there was no other people hunting. I told him there were 2 more hikers coming and hiked on. I make it a point not to have comfrontations with people that are bigger and me and can take me, or have a weapon and c!an take me. I have never and don't plan on ever getting shot with an arrow, but the hunting tips probibly do a good bit of damage. The trail today is starting to resemble the rocks of PA everyone talks about. They are not too bad. Everyone makes it sound like the whole state is one big rock scramble, or a walk on little pointy rocks. There was both today, but it was broken up with not so rocky parts. Really to there was only 1 climb. I went down to a gap and back out. I heard from Betsy that a motel .1 off gives hikers water. Luckily it panned out. I still had enough water, but the well water wasn't really hitting the spot. It's great to see people living or working close to the trail helping hikers out. On the way out of the motel I passed Trque on his way in. He wasn't feeling walking any farther than the next shelter. Sitting just up from the road was Betsy taking a lunch break. She was surprised to see me. Thinking I was in front after I saw her earlier this morning. She wanted to go just passed. She is resuppling via maildrops and gets the next one in port clinton a couple days past Palmerton. I talked for a minute and said I would be willing to go 6 farther but was going to take a break at the shelter and would see her there. On the walk to the shelter I looked up just ahead and what would I see but a hornets nest 10 feet above the trail up ahead. I looked close and could see some flying in and out of it. I took a couple pics before going by. I did move rather fast by. I wonder how many people go by without seeing it or get stung and don't know where they are coming from. It is in a rocky section so I could see how peole are looking at the trail and not up. I got to the shelter around 2:30 or so. Plently of time to take a break and still get a few more in. I took off the shoes and socks and relaxed for a god break. I ended up with a nice little nap. Torque came up at some point. He said Betsy was taking a break at the trail and moving on. I thought about it and decided to stay point. I was already comfy and half unpacked anyways. Plus there is water here. All be it .3 downhill. The next water may or may not be flowing. It is only 15 or so into town. I should be able to make it in by 2 or 3 and hit up the post office. Besides I was planning on staying there anyways. I am really starting to hit my stride. Doing 14.5 by 2:30 with a couple good beaks felt great. I could have made 20 by dark. No need to push on and test the feet. They are feeling a lot better. I really feel like I am almost dieled in on my setup. The new pack and shoes help with the hiking. My feet no longer kill me at the end of the day. On road walks of after 15 a couple days I was close to tears. Not too fun. Tomorrow a new death ray and I'll be all set.