Date: 2018-06-25
From: Allentown Hiking Club Shelter 

To: Palmerton (Bert's Steak House Hostel)
Miles today: 17.9

DAY 111Even though we had a late night we still got up early because we knew we had another rocky day ahead. As a matter of fact, String Cheese commented later that she was embarrassed to be laying in the shelter when we were already up and getting ready for the day. It was about a quarter mile downhill for water, so I made the trek while Mary finished picking up camp and made breakfast. Once again the footing varied from semi smooth to patches of rocks where you couldn't get a good rhythm going at all. We arrived at Bake Oven Knob and we're surprised to see all the graffiti. It¢s such a beautiful place, one of the best overlooks on the trail, marred by tons and tons of graffiti. It was hot out on the rocks so we decided to hike down to the parking lot to eat our mac and cheese we were supposed to eat last night for dinner. As we arrived at the parking lot we could see a sign that read ¢trail magic - it's a party.¢ A couple of Easy Ups full of lawn chairs, food, drinks and snacks. The trail magic was being done by a couple of thru-hikers from 2016, (the Conrad¢s) Chopper and Billy Goat, and their wives . They know how to do it up right.  They were grilling hot dogs and hamburgers to go with tons of chips, snacks, candy bars, and fresh fruit; everything that a thru hiker wanted. It was just what we needed on a day we were going to have to eat our dinner for lunch. We stayed about 45 minutes and enjoyed the company of the other thru hikers (Murph, Taylor, Easily Forgotten, Bunny Tracks,) and the Conrad's. Izzy was just leaving when we arrived, and a couple of German hikers came in as we were leaving. We weren't sure where we were going  to camp tonight, we could either go into Palmerton Pennsylvania or pull up just short. It was getting late as we started the long downhill into town. We tried calling the hostel, but got no answer. We didn't want to go into town if we didn't have a place to stay, because if we had to hike out that meant a long, tough climb out of town with no place to camp for quite some time. We called a motel in a nearby town as well as a clothing optional resort that was listed in the book, but all of them wanted us to find our own way in, and it was quite a distance to go. Finally we decided let's just go for it and head for Palmerton.We made it to the road crossing and walked to the ABC parking lot where we might be able to get a ride. We waited a short time with no luck, but finally a woman stopped and offered us a ride. Debbie brought us right to the hostel. We tried the door, but no luck. We were wondering what we should do when she offered to let us spend the night at her house as she has an extra room. We hesitated a moment, and just then String Cheese came around the corner and said "oh great, we hoped you guys would make it in". We quickly thanked Debbie and then String Cheese showed us around the hostel. They still had a couple bunks left, thankfully. We went up the street and grabbed an ice cream just before they closed at 9. Then we started our laundry and each grabbed a shower. Easily forgotten and Bunny Tracks were also staying there and they went up the street to have ice cream with us. Fuji, another hiker, is also staying here tonight. We took a chance, and thankfully everything worked out. Tomorrow is the big climb up Lehigh gap, the big rock climb you see in the all the magazines. Mary's not really looking forward to it, but it has to be done. The hostel we are at is actually a restaurant that has some bunks out back, and in the morning after breakfast the owner will bring bring us back to the trail.