Date: 2008-05-28
From: Stealth site down blue blaze from Bake Oven Knob S

To: Lehigh Gap, PA
Miles today: 7.4

Wow did the short storm last nite cool things off. I didn't expect the wind to be whipping up\down\around the side of the mountain I was on, so I was a little chilly. It cooled off to 50 degrees by 6:00 this morning. I was fine after I added my new Under Armour layer.The nite wasn't as restful as I'd hoped. The wind was blowing SO hard. It sounded like the ocean at times..waves blowing through the trees and finally hitting my tarp, then another wave at a higher elevation. The problem was branches snapping off and falling. I mean, there's nothing you can do about it (a tree fell through a shelter earlier this year I think in MD), but it woke me up a lot. Only a small branch hit my tarp, all was good.Also, whatever construction thing is nearby, they were working @ 6:00 a.m.Good thing I was already up. I got packed up and climbed the hill back to the shelter (it wasn't that bad), filled my canteen and met 2 guys who had stayed @ the shelter, Rich and Terry. I talked to them a bit, and Rich asked what I thought about hiking the southern parts this summer. I told him hiking any part of the AT was a good choice, but water may be an issue down south in summer. He hadn't thought of that.So I was officially off by 7:30 a.m. With the exception of about 1 rocky mile, it was all very nice trail today. I got totally lost in my head and was zooming (for me at least). I had told Rich and Terry they'd be passing me and eventually..here they came. They weren't hiking partners or anything, but I sort of got the impression that Terry may have taken rich under his wing a bit. Terry had great energy and a nurturing vibe about him and I got the impression he (like me) didn't judge someone who may initially seem a bit different.I took our pic on some rocks and let them go by. Terry commented on my enthusiastic attitude, which was cool that he noticed. I told him being out here is such a gift and I love it so much. He understood.So it was down into Lehigh Furnace Gap, then back up again for about 1 mile. On the way up, I passed them again, and Rich had his map out trying to figure out where the dirt road was for his car. I showed him our location and moved on.Not long after, Terry was behind me, and he told me he'd hike behind so we could talk. (Rich took a road to his car). Wow, what a cool man. He's an English teacher @ a university, has a 11 and 12 year old kid, and has been teaching for 20 years. I (of course) gave my hammock sermon (hey..if they ask how I sleep, I am obligated to educate!), and now Terry wants to check out the Hennessey site. He's an ultra-lighter, so he uses a rain poncho that can be turned into a tent, but he's been staying in shelters and said the shelters have been uncomfortable. He's only able to stay out for a week or so, he's got kids that he obviously loves a lot.So as we were talking, next thing I know..we're at the shelter! It's only .6 miles from Lehigh Gap! YIPPY! Terry said he was meeting Rich at his car before he continued north, so he took off. It was a true pleasure talking with him, one of the cool aspects of trail life you know? I probably never would have met him otherwise.So I'm standing @ the shelter trying to figure out where to go, ad then I hear Terry yell up, "Hey Certain, I'm not seeing any white blazes down here," so I looked around and finally saw one. I told him it was another way, so he came back up laughing and quickly disappeared down the trail.On this topic, I'll have to say I think PA has been the worst marked state so far. I think they've relocated the trail a lot, so at times you'll see white blazes way off the trail, and sometimes a blue blaze is actually a very light blue that "could" be white, and sometimes the blazes are wearing off to the point that you can't really tell if it is a blaze. Then in the rocky boulder parts, it's often hard to see them. Regardless, I've obviously not lost my way (for too long), so perhaps other states have spoiled me.So down it was, to Lehigh Gap, and on the way, I saw a new snake! I'm pretty positive it was poisonous, but don't know what it is. I took a pic, so I'll ask Gadget when I see him.I needed to move it off the trail though, which @ this point was about 18" wide with tall grass on both sides. I put my hiking pole near it and it struck @ my pole! COOL!! It stood its ground though, so I had to gently knudge it to get it to move. I pissed it off for sure, but it finally moved. Lots of new snakes here in PA.I got down to Lehigh Gap @ 10:48 a.m. You're right on highway 873, a busy road and there's a bridge you hike over, but I'm staying in the little parking area. I was really hoping the building I saw was a convenience store, but no luck, just a used car place called D&J Auto.So I turned on my cell, and Scribe called. She said they were helping her brother move some stuff, so they'd be later. Hey...no worries! It's in the 70's, bright and sunny, a cool breeze is blowing and I get to sit here and enjoy this perfect day. She said they could also pick me up 5 miles further up the trail, but after getting a look at this insane climb I have ahead of me (1000 verticle feet in less than 1 mile...basically straight up exposed rock), I told her I'd pass. My right knee is a little tweeky at times and needs a rest, so I told her to take her time and I had no problem at all chilin here.So I put my most non-stinky shirt on, and plopped down. I called my mom and then these guys with a street cleaning crew all pulled in. I said hi and struck up a conversation.One guy has been with this company for 28 yrs (2 to go till retirement!) and the other 12 years. They asked me the normal questions, ad then if I'd seen any snakes. I said yup, and one guy goes, "well what are you using for protection?" I said, "Against what?" They started laughing because they sort of realized you can't "protect" yourself from nature on nature's turf. You simply have to be aware and respect it.So that was cool talking to them and then another truck pulled up and they were all talking and this other guy walked over and asked if I'd found any arrowheads. He was Native American and told me that at the top of the climb from PA-61 (I hiked under it a few days ago), there used to be a spring, but it stopped flowing, so they dug in to find out why and found this whole leather bag full of 50-60 arrowheads that had been left there as a cache way back when (I'm assuming the French & Indian War, but it's a guess)! The cool stuff you learn from locals huh? So the whole crew finally pulled out and all the guys waved and yelled "Good luck!" It was like a parade! LOLSo now it is about 1:00 p.m., and guess who drives up? Rich and Terry! They had gone in to town for food and were back to head north. Terry had a huge bag half full of white cheddar popcorn and gave it to me...mmmmm, and then Rich was sweet enough to give me a protein bar. What sweet guys huh?Then I almost witnessed a horrible accident. This dumb guy in a car decides to do quick u-turn on this very busy 2 lane road and pulls out right in front of a motorcycle! The motorcyclist locked the brakes, went skidding sideways, and just scooted past the bumper of the car. Man, that could have been bad, of course the motorcyclist had some choice words for the guy in the car, and rightfully so.I highly recommend sitting @ a roadside parking area, it's quite interesting (I think I'm witnessing a drug deal happening now, but no proof right?)Rich came over and told me his first 5 days were in NJ, he didn't know anything about hiking, so he was in his tent WITH his food (NJ has about 1 black bear per square mile), and he said he could hear the bears, and in the morning there was a huge pile of scat about 40 ft from his tent. He's learning stuff sort of the hard (and semi-dangerous way) which is why I'm so impressed with Terry who seems to be watching out for him. Rich also has a huge mark on his belly where he found a tick. Both Terry and I told him to go to a doctor especially if he started feeling badly. Not sure he'll do it, but at least he knows now.Scribe and her mom pulled up! Man is it good to see them (Gadget is at a class today). I hopped in and it is about 45 minutes to their house. On the way they stopped @ Subway for me where I got some REAL food. My stomach was so happy to get a sub with vegetables even!We got back to their house and they showed me to my room and introduced me to Chase the cat. He's 17 years old (amazing) and he's a lover. They said he's lost weight recently, and they are worried about him a bit. I sure hope he'll be ok, but he still loves being petted.I took the worlds longest shower, did my laundry, and by now Gadget showed up and we all sat around and talked and looked @ these amazing pictures of a vacation they took during Scribe's spring break. The Grand Canyon is amazing, I have to go now.Then we went to Gadget's farm, where they raise miniature horses, and guess what, there were new babies! Oh my gosh were they adorable!. I took some pics and I also met Bigfoot the cat, who has an extra toe on each front paw!! He's an lovey ginger cat too. I'm lovin all this animal time.I met his parents and it is just cool to see your trail friends' lives outside o the trail you know?We decided to go out for dinner, and they let me choose. Red Robin! I love this place, the best crispy chicken salad. I'm trying to eat healthier stuff in towns this year (or at least significantly increase my vegetable intake).I felt like I hadn't even eaten that sub earlier, so I think 7 straight days of hiking is starting to convert my metabolism over again.Scribe had been visiting her brother and was exhausted, I was totally exhausted too. It was 9:45 p.m. when we all got home, and we pretty much went right to bed. I did get to talk to Scribe's dad a bit (he'd been at work), and I got to thank them for hooking me up like this. I so appreciate it.So tomorrow is a definite zero. Now that I'm clean and relaxed, I am also very sore and stiff. A day off is exactly what I need. I'll be getting my next set of maps and guidebook @ the Delaware Water Gap PO, probably resupply and then we're going to figure out the slackpacking route for the FINAL 36 MILES OF PA!!I think we might also have a bonfire on Gadget's land somewhere, and that would be most cool.This year is so different than last. I'm enjoying it even more, knowing people, visiting places, etc. It's so cool. I'm living a dream right now folks, that's for sure.~Certain