Date: 2014-06-13
From: new tripoli campsite

To: palmerton
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: moderate rain

i woke up about 5:45 listening to the rain. i laid there waking up, thinking thoughts, and planning my escape from sog. i ate another bar for breakfast and when i thought i heard the rain slowing i bolted up and starting packing. i didnt really bolt. i was in no hurry. i didnt REALLY care if anything got wetter. i would end up in palmerton today and be able to dry everything. i basically threw everything in my pack willy nilly and set off. it was only misting at this time so i was happy. i was about a mile from an area called the knife edge. it didnt sound good, especially with the wet ground. it wasnt good. there were a few places i thought to myself, "this was a really brilliant idea so stupid such and such. really? this is what i get me into on purpose? cant i just get a tv and watch it?" i told myself to get a grip and find my way over this boulder pile. most of the time i could not use my hiking poles, i had to use my hands and climb over the big rocks, sometimes with a slip meaning instant broken something. it was a very slow navigation of the knife edge. once i got back to rock hopping down the train i was thrilled. at least it was almost like walking. not far from there was the bear rocks, same kind of deal. i got over those too, not at a record pace but i was glad to survive with all my bones on the inside. once passed this the trail got a little better until the bake oven knob shelter. i stopped there for water and talked to a few people i had not met yet. one couple was not bummed about the rain but was upset about the boulders. they said the rain was part of the journey but the rocks were not. im not sure how they figured that. rain is not guaranteed on the trail, the rocks are definitely guaranteed. only 8 miles to go i made a run for town, until i came across trail magic! this was the first in a long time and it was a good one. there was a big plastic tote on the trail full of good stuff. there were donuts, fig type bars of all flavors, blueberry, apple and strawberry. there was peanut butter, jelly, and bread. cans of sardines and chef boy are dee ravioli, a bag of apples and a bag of oranges! im sure there was more that im not remembering too. next to the tote was 10 gallons of water too. this was a nice treat. also by this time the rain had stopped. from there it was good walking the rest of the way and no rain. the worst was walking down the narrow trail with the bushes and grass leaning over soaking me. i still didnt care, there was a light ahead and the tunnel was close to being over. i made it to the intersection where the side trail to palmerton was when a hippie pulled up next to me and yelled "duuude, you need a ride to palmerton?" i sure do! soulflute was a trail angel that gives rides to wanderers, and he got me to palmerton. i was there by noon and sat on a bench in front of a gas station in the sun starting to dry myself and rehydrating. i was waiting for cindy to get here and she was about an hour away. when the sun got too hot i moved to a bench in the town park. it was a really nice park and while sitting there i looked over my gross feet. i really needed to trim my nails and pull off some stuff that shouldnt be there. why not now i thought. i found myself trimming my toenails on a park bench. i never saw that coming. cindy showed up not long later and we set off for a hotel and sitting. im tired, knees sore, feet sore, and tired. i am in need of a zero tomorrow. when at the hotel i sat for a few minutes and then got to washing everything. i had musty crap spread from one end of the room to the other. my stuff stank, the room soon stank. i had to get my laundry going asap. i set up my tent so that could get dry too. i was glad cindy got to experience this so she has an idea of what i mean when i say things are gross. once the laundry was done we walked over to a place for dinner. we spent way too much for pizza and walked back. sleeeeep, give me sleeeep. i laid myself down on a fluffy bed with fluffy pillows (both were dry) and covered myself with blankets (also dry). i felt fancy, maybe because i am fancy?