Date: 2008-05-24
From: Palmerton, PA

To: Delaware Water Gap (DWG)
Miles today: 36.0
Weather: broken clouds

Writing this from Palmerton, Pa just west of the Lehigh Gap (Lehigh River flows thru it). A very nice town (about 5K in population). The town will let you stay in the "Jail House Hostel" (no charge, bunk bed, shower, running water). A converted jail house in the basement of the municipal building. The local cub scouts refurbished and you would never know it was a jail. Currently in the Palmerton Library (very friendly folks). Got a marine haircut this AM (high and tight), and had a great breakfast at Bert's restaurant. This is like going back to the 50s. Trail has been wet and cool (the weather went from winter conditions to almost summer time in about 24 hours; a very welcome change). We have come over 200 miles, and are just slightly behind plan. Will be in the DWG probably on Tuesday, and finally out of Pa. Pa is VERY rocky. We will slack pack the Lehigh Gap "up" (about a 1000' of straight up rock climb coming out of the gap) later today. Then resume the normal hike tomorrow. We have run across a number of "trail rockets" that do anywhere from 25 to 35 miles a day. Simply unbelieveable to watch these young folks "bound" across the trail. Have had several experiences of note, the post office person in Port Clinton will get the "I having a bad day" award. Mick, who is the care taker at the Eckville Shelter, didn't seem to be interested in bonding with the hikers (the shelter was nice), on the other hand the care taker at the 501 shelter (a Pa Forest Ranger), went out of his way to make us feel at home, and had things well in hand from a hospitality standpoint (e.g. split firewood). Two nights ago on the way to the New Tripoli Shelter, we discovered that the Blue Mountain Summit Restaurant was right next to the trail at highway Pa 309. Also, discovered if you ate there, they would let you camp in their back yard. We had a great hot meal, set up camp, then went back in and had desert ( a real apple dumpling), and watched the Braves sweep the Mets in a 4-2 victory. Yesterday, walked the 13 miles into Palmerton. Some of the rocks we scrambled over were the size of cars (maybe even buses). Had lunch at "Bake Oven Knob" which provided a spectacular view of the Pa contryside (visibility was probably 75+ miles; just incredible to see. Along the trail we encountered a local Palmerton resident who told us about the back way from the trail into Palmerton that would save about a mile of walking. Only problem, we arrived so late that we encountered a tall wide chain link gate with several strands of barb wire. After a few moments we concocted a plan to scale. Digger scaled the obstacle and we were over without damage or injury. Looking at the gate from the other side we discovered it was "no trespassing and violators would be prosecuted" (oh well, these thing happen). Finally, things are starting to get into a routine, and its become very apparent how far Maine is from Harpers Ferry. The secret is to simply put one foot in front of the other. Right now the real inhibitor to success is injury or some other health issue. After 24 days out, we have our "trail legs", but seem to be developing other maladies (blistors, rashes, encounters with poison ivy, etc.). The fun continues, and I will go back and edit some of the other journal entries, so they are a little more consistent. Happy Memorial Day!