Date: 2018-05-22
From: Rock N Sole hostel PA route 183

To: Yuengling Brewery
Miles today: 0.0

I slept like a baby last night in Trashy. My feet have been swelling so I put a small pillow under the sheets and kept my feet elevated. I ventured out to the privy around 1:30am and the sound of the brook made me want to go sit at the hiker lounge but I was sensible and went back to sleep. I woke up at 6:15 and dressed, brushed, used the privy and wandered over to the front porch where meals are served. Coffee is out at 6:30 and breakfast is at 7. I grabbed a coffee and sat at one of the already set tables. Music was playing from a cell phone thru blue tooth speakers. Orange juice, ice water and fresh fruit cups were at each place. I enjoyed my coffee. I love coffee, but to be honest I haven't been drinking much. Many days I have none. I guess it's just not the same out on the trail. Eventually all the other guests arrive and Jody puts out sausage egg and cheese casserole, home fries and homemade muffins. We devoured the meal and enjoy conversation with each other. After breakfast we retired to our quarters for a while. I opened my supply box and bagged up my food by the day into gallon Ziploc bags. It's cool and rainy and the forecast is for rain all day. Just before 10am Thumper, River, Rx, Sandals and myself are ready for Chase to drive us into Pottsville. We've planned a tramily field trip to the Yuengling Brewery for a tour and sampling and then lunch at Roma's. T-bird stays behind to fully rest his feet. Pottsville is an old mill town. Once a thriving coal mining town. It reminds me of communities in Mass and NH that were once booming textile mill communities. A little depressed but with great architecture and remnants of lucrative times and history visible. The tour was fabulous. I fully enjoyed the history of the brewery and the hands on family aspect of it. I also loved the tasting! Porter and black and tan are my favorite and I also tried Ben's dark birch soda. Yummy! After browsing the gift shop we walked a few blocks in the rain to Roma which came highly recommended. I had a gluten free Chipotle chicken wrap and an Italian salad. Absolutely delicious but I could only eat 1/2 my wrap so I brought the rest back and gave it to T-Bird. He enjoyed it and said he enjoyed the relaxing and quiet afternoon. By the time Chase picked us up the hostel was super busy and he was working alone. Craig and Jody had doctor appointments. The 60's siblings hiked into the hostel because there was no one to pick them up but they were just happy to be there and it didn't seem to bother them. They're full again tonight and I'm not surprised. Word is out on the trail of how wonderful this place is. We learned that Craig's doctor appointments maybe didn't go so well. They thought he had a disease from a tick but it appears they're not sure and it could be something more serious or even life threatening. I'm sorry they are going through this. I can feel the weight of it. Craig's Mom passed away a month ago and today would have been her birthday. Dinner was at 5:30 and it was delicious pulled pork with homemade BBQ sauce, homemade macaroni and cheese and broccoli. Steady arrived this afternoon and sat at our table. It was great to visit with her. We laughed as she devoured the broccoli first. Who knew broccoli would taste so good she joked. I agreed, it was awesome! Dessert came and it was warm brownie with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce. Sandals is vegan so he gave me his ice cream and I brought my brownie over to the table where Rx and T-Bird were sitting. I'm not sure who ate it but I know someone did! After dinner I went back to Trashy and caught up on a few days journals. My little hideaway was a busy place with people in and out, some just wanting to see it and others like River and T-Bird visiting or getting my lueko tape or buying soda and ice cream from my fridge because the bunkhouse was out. I didn't mind at all and eventually it was after 9 and all was quiet. I finished my journal and went out to brush and use the privy before bed. It's after 10 now so I crawl into bed and prop my feet up again. I'm looking forward to another great sleep!