Date: 2005-06-29
From: Clarks Creek

To: 501 shelter
Miles today: 29.1
Weather: moderate rain

What a big and fulfilling day it has been! After an awesome breakfast of baked oatmeal with strawberries and strata with Al and Eloise, we reluctantly left to go back to the trail. We started off the day's hike in prayer with Redwing and Hopeful just spending time thanking God for everything we have experienced...even the rocks (because without rocks, we wouldn't see the huckleberry bushes which provide such yummy fruit). It was so wonderful to open our morning with group prayer. The day passed before our eyes as we chatted amongst ourselves, getting to know each other better. Before we knew it, 10 miles had passed, then another 2. Rausch creek called our names as did our hungry bellies. Just as we stopped to eat and refill on water, the skies let loose an afternoon shower. There was just enough time to get our packs under the trees before they got soaked when suddenly, the rain dried out and the skies cleared. After sandwiches and snacks it was time to move on up the trail.The trail began to get a little challenging throughout the next section....hills began to pop up out of nowhere (steep hills at that). I have come to realize though, that friends make the big hills seem smaller. Talking as we hiked kept us from being so focused and concerned with the ups.Before we knew it, we were at William Penn Shelter, and already had 25 miles done for the day. We weren't sure whether we wanted to stay or try to push for another 4 miles into the 501 shelter. The decision was made to cook dinner first and rest the feet and then decide on the 4 miles. Tonight's dinner was Chicken Rag-out (a homemade dehydrated meal) which we managed to choke down. It isn't one of the better meals from the AT cookbook and we will probably ask that any others be taken out of future maildrops. As I sat reading register entries from the shelter, I heard a noise to my left. When I looked over, I saw what looked to be a mutated mouse. It had big ears, no tail, and somewhat of an odd gait. Upon closer inspection, I discovered it to be a newborn bunny. He was a precosious one....his eyes were not yet open, and the 4 additional siblings were all tucked together sleeping soundly. It was a pretty neat sight to see!Feeling renewed and refreshed, we decided to push on to the 501 shelter; the promise of pizza again won out. The last 4 miles flew by; Bug, Redwing, and Hopeful wondered where I found this last burst of energy after already having walked 25 miles. I, Ms. Priss sped down the trail at a quick pace of about 3.5 miles an hour so as to arrive at the 501 by dark. We pulled out the headlamps just as we arrived.As we walked into the shelter, we found that there were just enough bunks left for the four of us. We quickly ordered our pizza and grabbed drinks from the cooler at the spring. Sitting at the picnic table so as not to disturb our fellow hikers, we ate our pizza.Just as we were finishing the last bite, a huge clap of thunder and flash of lightning appeared. We bolted and headed for the shelter. Inside were our fellow hikers: LB, Fig & Just Visiting, Green Kitty, Pathfinder, Gray Walrus, MacGyver, and Passing Thru.All is quiet now, and the only other person stirring is Hopeful as she works on her journal too. We made it into the shelter just in time, as the bottom dropped out. This shelter is really neat though. It is fully enclosed and used to be a potter's studio. The previous owner donated it to the ATC and it has a caretaker, solar shower, and porta-toilet. The shelter itself is really cool; because it was a potter's studio, there is a large octagonal, domed skylight. It is about 10-12 feet across, and I lay here watching the light show play out across the sky.29.1 miles today, it has been a good day. We contemplated doing .9 more for another 30, but I swore I wouldn't do that again. Also, the storm outside convinces me it is best to stay where we are. Tomorrow will tell where we go from here. Until then....