Date: 2010-06-20
From: Rausch Gap Shelter

To: 501 Shelter
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: broken clouds

Slept incredibly well! Woke up staring at the top of my tent and I wasn¢t sure if I¢d slept at all other than my renewed energy. It was light out when I closed my eyes and just as illuminated when I reopened them. Same position all night.I ate the Chocolate Mocha pie that Paul Gibbs sent me. Pretty good! I drank the last of my Starbucks coffee from Angela. The expiration date was the same as my birthday. I was going to carry it to Maine, but it¢s to good to resist that long. ¢Freight Train¢ came by as I was finishing my healthy chocolate pie breakfast. He¢s a talker! He got his name because he snores so loudly. Caught up to ¢Boston¢ early on and hiked with him for a while. Found a sign telling us about trail magic at PA443! Great news for a hiker low on supplies!Jay-Z was there making cheeseburgers for breakfast! He¢s a triple crowner. He looks salty and sun burnt and still has the wild eyed hiker stare that I¢ve noticed. People that have been on trails for a long time have this dusty appearance. I guess it¢s from not taking showers as frequently. Not sure if I¢ll still have the same hygiene habits. I like having a certain amount of grease in my hair and skin now. Reduces friction! Hiker Bill, Kentucky, Pacer, Boston, and iTrod there stuffing for the climb coming up.I thought that Second Mtn. (1350ft) was overstated on the elevation chart. Thought I was in for a huge climb after 81 but it didn¢t feel like much at all. Overcast skies today with a little breeze! Much better than yesterday. The elevation chart on my page had William Penn Shelter at the top of the climb but it was at least 4 miles beyond the summit. Ran into Green Dog, he¢s slack-packing south again. He told me that I was in for a huge rock field. Poison ivy rubbing my legs! No way to avoid it! Freaking out a little and hoping it doesn¢t get me! Should have walked slower to prevent contact.Stopped at the intersection of the shelter and took a leak without noticing a couple behind me. They were sitting at a picnic table and watching the whole thing from behind. I blushed and said, ¢That was some introduction, eh?!¢ They laughed but I was embarrassed. I didn¢t stop to speak to them as I was leaving the spring there. Felt pretty silly about the whole thing.Talked to Lish at PA645 to figure out what has happened to my mail drop at Port Clinton. The couple that I¢d pissed in front of turned out to be the caretakers of the 501 Shelter and they confirmed that the Ye Olde Backpacker was definitely closed. The lady offered to take me to town for a re-supply! What luck!There was a Mennonite family at Dick Kemmel vista. They were taking their sweet time walking up the hill. They had at least 6 kids all dressed in their Sunday best. The couple had a 1 12 year old between them. The toddler¢s parents suspended him by his arms, dragging his shoes along the ground. Called Dad and wished him a happy Fathers day!Got to the shelter and took a great cold shower! First since Harpers Ferry. Washed my legs as hard as I could to remove the poison ivy oils. The shower is a sun powered one with a water hose and spray nozzle. The floor is wooden and it¢s covered in body hair! Creepy and Nobody there. Creepy fell hard and cracked her hand and almost broke several fingers. Grocery/pizza run was productive! Large meat-lovers pizza and a chicken parmesan sub! 2 liter Hawaiian Punch! Ate half of the sandwich and pizza and saved it for breakfast. Played Creepy¢s guitar for a while. Apparently, I¢ve forgotten how to play.Boston, iTrod, Creepy, Nobody, Hiker Bill, Freight Train, Pacer, and Kentucky staying in the shelter. Wanted to sleep so I tented out. Put my tent right on the tree roots so I had to lay sideways. Didn¢t sleep well. Hot because of all the food I¢d eaten. Felt bad because I knew that Lish was worrying because the package didn¢t make it. It¢s been returned to Durham. I was concerned about the food situation because Port Clinton doesn¢t have a grocery. The way things worked out so well made me disappointed in myself for being so impatient and upset about what to do. It just goes to show you that if you¢re patient enough, it¢ll work out. Sounds like I¢ll be returning home the first or second week of July. To tell the truth, I¢m kind of looking forward to it!