Date: 2010-06-17
From: Allentown Hiking Club Shelter

To: Lehigh Gap, PA / PA 248 ÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ Jailhouse Hostel
Miles today: 17.7

Day 81.Even with the heavy fog, drop in temp, slight rain, it never did thunderstorm. I thought for sure last night was going to be the night for ¢the big one¢. Instead, on-and-off light rain and that was about it. There was some thunder, actually very odd sounding thunder, but that was off in the distance.5 in all at the shelter. Lola, Sunrise over the Sea, and myself were the thrus and JC and Bahama Dave are section hikers. It was a nice night of conversation. Lola has what looks like the Lyme disease rash and will have it looked at in Palmerton. Bahama Dave shared some of his run, which was good.As morning hit, Bahama Dave was up at 5:40 and out by 6:10. I was up with Lola and Sunrise shortly after he left around 6:20. We all just packed up with very few words. JC was still asleep and gutsy hikers like to be left alone during their packing process.I was next to be out, on the trail exactly at 7:00. In the first hour, Lola and Sunrise had already caught up with me. Then they stop. I catch up, and the process goes on all day.The rocks are in full swing. Much longer sections of rock climbs, fewer areas of good tread. Also, the two shelter I passed were rather kind of ram shackled. Again, water was in short supply and the poison ivy was overgrowing on both sides of the trail. With my poles attached to my pack due to the rocks, all you can do is go right through it and hope for the best.Finished the hiking part of my day is just under 7 hours. Actually rather good with the rocks. I hit the blue blaze trail to town. About half way, it cut up the hill. I decided not to go up. Instead, I saw a road ahead and wanted to go straight, so that is what I did. The path more or less ended and I found myself at this gated road. This is the site of the #1 superfund site. I played lost old man, asked for help and was told to follow the road and it would take me right into town. Total score.Sure enough, hit the main road. First stop, the Post Office. They were out of the large mailing tubes. And the Government is going to run our health care. Good luck. So I will need to keep them one more day. But I did get my shirt off in the mail. Now the only clothes I have is what is on and a rain jacket and wind jacket.After the P.O., I came across a sub shop. I thought at 7:50 they were a bit expensive until the sandwich came. There was at least 2 feet of sandwich and the meat and cheese were piled on pretty high. I could not believe I ate it, but I did. Walked down 2 more blocks and I signed in for the hostel stay. The city allows hikers to stay in the old jailhouse at no cost. It has a shower by the indoor basketball court that they let you use. Upon check-in, they give you a gallon bag with a tooth brush, tooth paste, an energy bar, and a postcard of the hostel. Nice. So I showered, did laundry across the street, then picked up some fruit and juice at a produce shop. It is now 7:00 and my journal and errands are complete. I might go across the street for a breakfast meal before I go to bed. Yum.Even with the poison ivy on my hand, something going on under my left toes, and my ankle hurting a bit, it is another great hiking day.