Date: 2010-04-22
From: Blue Summit Bed and Breakfast

To: Lehigh Gap (Slatington)
Miles today: 13.3

Well, Ken, the owner, said he would cook me breakfast and be here at 6:45. When he had not come by 7:15, I wrote him a note and left. I left him my address and asked him to send me the bill but I just could not wait any longer when I knew I had a challenging day ahead of me and needed to get to Lehigh Gap before dark. I really appreciate that he made arrangements for me last night but he is not dependable as far as time is concerned. I will pay him but I could not wait. So, off I went. The first couple miles were nice woods road and then came the rocks. It was a very foggy morning but the sun had burned it off before 9. I came to a knife edge pile of rocks called the Cliffs, a large boulderfield. The view was very nice. I ate a trailbar for breakfast but that just reminded my stomach that I had not had breakfast so I ate two. Navigating the Knife Edge was a challenge with my bum leg but I managed. The Gentleman (trail name), (the 3rd or 4th thru-hiker of the year) passed me, very young and fit. He did say he had seen my guidebook, about a quarter mile past where I gave up looking for it. There were lots of other boulder fields/rocks for another mile or more and then I came to Bear Rocks. At first I just took a picture of the rocks and did not intend on going up even for the view. Then, on the far side of the rocks I saw the blue blazed "trail" and thought I would try for it. About that time three SOBO section hikers came by, Mike, Patty and Rich. Mike and Rich also went up with me. (Packless, of course) That was nice - both to have the company and to have someone there in case I ran into trouble. After I got back down and was packing up, Patty heard I had lost my guidebook and they would find it along the trail. She immediately gave me hers, saying that they had three and didn't need it. Wow! Thanks! It is even a more recent edition. Nice trail magic and nice trail angel!!! Thank you, Patty! I could always follow white blazes but it is very nice being able to tell how far I have come and how far I have to go. The rest of the trail was better except for the part over Bake Oven Knob. All those boulder piles had really slowed me down. An old lady with a bad leg has to be careful. I finally got to Bake Oven Shelter and decided to have lunch there. It was a good decision as Don and Shady (2 guys in their 60s) were also having lunch there. It was fun to talk with them. They have done the trail from Springer up to Delaware Water Gap (or will have by the time they get south to Duncannon on this trip). They are about 400 miles behind me in the quest to complete the trail. Its funny how things work out. I was running late today. But if I had not been at that time I would not have had company up Bear Rocks or company for lunch. Both of which I appreciated a lot. The trial after the shelter got considerably more trail-like and less boulder hopping-like. Thank you, God. At the speed I was going in the AM it was turning into Maine speed and completion before dark was in doubt. But I reached Lehigh Gap by 6:30. Ira from Fine Lodging picked me up from the trail and took me to the lodging. This seems to be the trip for staying in dives and eating in bars. This place is a step or two above the Doyle and clean, although definitely not very high class. It does, however, have a TV, a refrigerator and padded carpet on the floor, which my feet appreciate. And Ira is trying very hard to help me out, pointing out the places to eat in town, the laundromat and the post office and even offered me the use of his computer. Thank you Ira. It is late, nearly 10:00, before I am ready for bed and I am very tired and very glad tomorrow is a zero (rest day) and life is good.