Date: 2018-05-28
From: Mile 1257.8 PA 248 and 873

To: Mile 1257.8 PA 248 and 873
Miles today: 0.0

I slept like a baby, woke up at 5am and went back to sleep until 7:30. Missing the sound of the birds I took a shower and then dressed and opened my door to let their singing in. I sorted out my food bag and made a detailed list of what I needed at Cabela's and Walmart. T-bird had texted River last night with a contact number for Tracy, someone who could slack pack us later this week. River called and made the arrangements for Tues. I grabbed some crackers for my breakfast and met Jo and River at the motel entrance at 9am and we picked up T-Bird in Palmerton. Jo then drove us to Hamburg about 45 minutes away after I confirmed Cabela's was open on this Memorial Day. We disbursed once inside, each having our own lists of needed items and I went directly to the shoes. A young woman was working with a display of sandals and I approached her and explained I'm looking for someone knowledgeable who can assist me in a proper fitting for new hiking shoes. Jess immediately turned around and retrieved a brannock device from it's stored location inside a cabinet and brought it over. She first asked me some questions about my feet and experience with hiking shoes and how many pairs I had tried thus far. She told me that she sees the long distance hikers in the store and is working on understanding our needs in order to better help us and that she just finished a book by Liz Thomas. Of course I know Liz (Snorkel) Thomas and Jess's disclosure impressed me. So she stuck right by me for about an hour as she measured my feet and directed me to the shoes that would best fit my feet after gathering a bit more about what I like in a hiking shoe. I was seeking low top non waterproof. The women's selection being small we moved to men's. After trying on a few pair and using the ramp to confirm a good fit I selected the Merrill Moab ventilator in wide to accommodate my swollen feet that swell more when hiking and spread more with an additional 35 lbs on me. Jess went and got a tape measure to further measure and assist with insoles but because of the wide shoe there were no insoles available in the store that would work. Jo came over to me and asked me if I wanted her to mail my old shoes home for me and it choked me up. I didn't have to ask, she already thought of it. I hugged her. I met Dozer in this department too, looking for lambs wool for blister care. I wished I'd had my pack, I would have given him some. He'll likely have to order online. I ventured up to camping and picked up a few items there, some GF Mountain House meals to get me thru 3 days. I bought a lemon lime Gatorade and I'll confess it didn't taste nearly as good as the trail magic on the way to the 501 shelter. We all met back at the entrance and the next stop was Round Robin for lunch where I had a huge salad with avocado and other delectable ingredients and a cup of chilli. River and I paid for Jo's lunch and Walmart was next on the list. Conveniently there was one right there. We all finished up our resupply there. I got some lightweight pajamas so I could send home my wool base layer and some new men's underwear with longer legs. After Walmart Jo stopped at McDonald's so y could get an iced coffee and then Wawa so T-Bird and River could get their coffee and drove us all back to our respective accommodations. I quickly packed up what was being sent home and gave it to Jo to mail with money to cover it and some for her trouble. I then sat in the chair outside my room and soaked my feet in Epsom salt soaks inside Ziploc bags while catching up on my journal. It was relaxing. What a great day. I texted with Ambassador who is taking some zero days in Port Clinton, resting and waiting on a package. She's in some new Merrill Moab ventilator boots herself and liking them. I don't know if we'll run into each other again, but I hope so. At 6:30 or so River and I walked a few doors down to the diner for dinner and carried ice cream back to our rooms so we could get our feet up and inflammation under control. I usually take tumeric in my daily supplements. But I haven't gotten another supply box and I only had 7 days, so I'm out. I arranged for another supply box from Brian and I'll have it Friday. He'll send me double the supplements so I don't run out again. I watched the 1st episode of the bacheloret while texting Brian and enjoyed my ice cream. It's 10:30 and I'm having trouble getting to sleep. I'm a bit anxious about tomorrow and the 12 mile slack pack with my new shoes. We'll be staying at Bert's and they have loaner day packs we can use, but water will be scarce and it will be hot and humid. I hope I can get enough sleep.