Date: 2015-06-21
From: Hawk Mt. Rd.

To: PA 309, Blue Mt Summit
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: broken clouds

This morning I slept until 8 oclock!!! 8!, just imagine. Of course, it wasn't like sleeping in, because I was catching up with hiker chores, journaling, and lots of emails, until after midnight. REAL midnight, not hiker version. And then, as a treat, I went to church. I haven't attended church in a building since I started my hike. I've enjoyed "church" as the sanctuary of the woods, and quiet, and the songs on my ipod sometimes. But I was just really happy to sit in a building today with other worshippers, even though I didn't know them. It was refreshment for me, and I felt more balanced all day afterwards. I wasn't sure if I was going to hike today or not. I thought of going out for a half day, with all my gear, and carrying on north for good. But then Trail Angel Rick suggested a partial day followed by another shuttle back to a shower, and real pillow, and laundry facilities and everything else great that comes with being in a house, and who would pass that up? Not me! So I quickly shifted gears and changed into hiking clothes and started where Bambi and I finished yesterday. The Trail was muddy in the low-lying area at first, but once I started climbing things were dry. Well, the Trail was dry. I was dripping wet in minutes. It is very humid from the recent rains. But dry Trail means dry rocks. Rocks and boulders are rough, but dry ones are much better than wet ones. Just trust me on this. Today the rocky part started at Dan Pulpit, and pretty much continued for 5 miles until the Allentown Shelter (I stopped there briefly for a break, and found a rare luxury item in the privy: a mirror. The shelter is small, but has a checkerboard painted on the floor. I included pics of this shelter thinking of you, Aunt Lynn, I hope you're still reading). After the shelter the trail widened and became an easy jeep road again for quite a while. This, and all of the hike today past Dans Pulpit was a surprise to me in a way. I had picked up my guide pages thinking I had what I needed for today's hike, but somehow missed page 119. So I had to rely on SOBO section hikers to give me a heads up on what I was going to come to. I saw 8 SOBOs and no thrus to that point. None of them had AWOL (the guide book I use). So I just hiked and then I was approaching a road crossing and there was trail magic with my name on it! Wow! Personalized trail magic of Dr. Pepper, and it was still there waiting for me (sometimes other hikers use the magic left for someone else). Thank you Iceman!!! I'm guessing maybe you were the Angel looking for me a few days ago near Boiling Springs? I got it this time They say things happen in 3 threes and today that was true. First, I saw 3 very small, very swift snakes at three separate spots along the way. Then I had 3 trail angels helping me: Rick was my shuttle, (and host extra-ordinaire), Iceman left me magic, and then came Skipper. He probably didn't know he was a trail angel, but for me he was. You see I didn't know where I was, when I got to that crossing. I was supposed to be shuttled at 309...at 5 pm. It was only a little after 4, so I thought it was too soon to be the road I wanted. But I wasn't sure, and didn't want to hike further than I should. So I called Bambi to see if she had her book handy, but she didnt. She suggested I Google where I was. But just then along came a NOBO, Skipper, and he had AWOL, and was able to tell me it wasn't the right road, I had 2.2 miles until I reached my destination. I am so thankful for trail angels, and for the amazing day I had because of them! Also coming in 3's: Dr. Pepper this weekend from Bambi, Rick, and Iceman. It is feast or famine out here and I am enjoying the feast right now. Not to mention the feast of pizza I ate for supper after my hike, plus the two slices I will carry out for lunch tomorrow (plus more of that dr. Pepper...will be a very heavy pack!!!). And this evening another wish came true: I got to sit and watch a movie. It was Mortdecai, with Johnny Depp and was rather hard to follow and ridiculous, but hey, I was very happy to vegetate. I have also enjoyed Radar, who is a very well-trained, well-mannered and good dog. Early start tomorrow, as my shuttle leaves by 6am!!!