Date: 2008-05-23
From: Stealth site 2 miles past Rausch Gap Shelter, PA

To: 501 Shelter, PA
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Zzzzzz..slept like a log last nite. I was toasty warm and it was 51 when my alarm went off @ 6:00. I accidentally fell back asleep till 6:45...DOH! I must have needed it, and it was a deer squawking that woke me up.I didn't stress it though, I packed up and was hiking by 8:30 a.m. It was a GLORIOUS warm sunny day today. Hi of 66, breezy @ times, but NO rain!!I was almost to the top of Second Mt., so it was a quick climb and then down. When I emerged from the woods I was in a grassy field with tall green grass swaying in the wind. I had a "moment". It was warm, sunny, breezy, beautiful trail, and life was simply perfect at that moment. I stood there soaked up the sun, and just smiled. Man, I love this trail.Next it was through the most aromatic section yet. The trail was totally lined with sweet honeysuckle and jasmine. My gosh the smell was incredible. Only Hawaii comes close to the sweet smell. I just inhaled as deeply as posible to take it in. Jasmine had fallen and made the trail almost solid white. Really beautiful.I went across PA 443 and then there was another creek to ford. This was much deeper and swifter, but it was still fun. Once I got across, I figured it was a great place to break and soak my feet. It felt so good, and parts of this creek would have been over my 5' 5" tall head. Where I crossed, it was just below my knees.At Swatara Gap, theres a great bridge that goes over Swatara creek. The bridge can handle cars I think, and then I hiked under I-81 and it was back into the woods and up up up. I did meet Time Traveler, a solo young girl. She flew by me though, and didn't seem to interested in conversation.The next climb was about 2 miles up Blue Mt. Toughest climb in PA so far. It was very steep, but I plugged along. My pack weight is a bit heavy due to having 7 days of food. On the way up, I met a guy from CT who is doing the AT in 4 years. Nice man.I finally got to the top around noon, and my reward was lunch. Tortilla and pepperoni today and some chive crackers. I was still hungry, but what else is new?The rest of the day was a ridge walk. Parts were like a boulder field, but the trail was mainly friendly trail. There were some great views before William Penn Shelter, and on a day like today, it was awesome.I got to William Penn Shelter @ 3:21 p.m., and it was a momentous ocassion. I was @ mile # 1175.1, which meant I had 999.9 miles to go...UNDER 1000!! I walked down and got water, ate a kit kat to celebrate, and I called my mom to check in and then Karen to share my moment. She's wishing she was still out with me. Even though the weather was crappy most of the time, she said she had a great time.I knew it was only 4.2 more miles to the 501 Shelter, and I headed out again @ 4:15. I had a first happen today for this year. A man hiking towards me goes, "Hey..aren't you on trail journals" I said yup, and he asked my name. When I told him, he got excited and shook my hand. It was cool to be recognized. His name was Steve. He was out doing a section with his nephew Derick, son Bryce and his girlfriend Tess. We talked a bit and he asked if I was still using my hammock. I said of course!   I took a pic of all of us and wished them well. Really nice people.The terrain got rockier the last 2 miles. I wasn't sure I wanted to stay @ the shelter, because it's right on a road, but I kept hiking. Rigt before the road is a fantastic view tht a young couple were sitting at. I didn't want to intrude upon their moment, so I snapped a pic and headed on.I made fantastic time today, which just means the trail was mostly friendly. I got to the shelter, and wow, what a great place1 It's all enclosed with a door, skylight, porta-john, solar shower and all.I still opted to camp down towards the sites, and just as I was setting up, Ranger Ron showed up to check on me. Super nice guy who was dreading this Memorial Day weekend, because kids like to hang out @ the parking lot and that overlook. I felt safe knowing he lives right here, so I'm not worried at all tonight.I got set up and decided to be sociable @ the shelter and cook dinner there. 4 people tonight, Cookie (AR), Kirby from Maine, and 2 section hikers from IN, Trooper and Chef. Nice ladies with a gorgeous Husky named Aska who was tuckered out from an 11 miler today. We all talked and laughed as I devoured my broccoli-cheddar rice. Just as I headed out to go back to my hammock, a lady showed up but she didn't look like a backpacker (no pack).So it's lightly breezy and 60 degrees in my hammock @ 9:23. I'm tired and have another 15 miles planned for tomorrow. Hopefully I'll wake up in the a.m. It was a great day to be hiking the AT.~Certain