By the end of the night there were 18 hikers sleeping in the Jail House Hostel. Surprisingly, there wasn't a snoring problem.
When I got up I knew my first stop of the day was of course breakfast, so I stopped in the local diner and enjoyed a simple breakfast. My hunger isn't where I'd like it to be yet, but I won't overeat to compensate like I did last time, which just resulted in my puking everything up later in the night.
I walked to the edge of town and started looking for a ride back to the trail. The sun was quickly heating up my skin, and I was about to give up and walk the long rocky side trail, when a friendly gentleman stopped to give me a lift.
The moment I set foot on the trail I remembered what Gravy had said last night. He had already done this stretch, and he said that it by far the worst patch of trail yet. With that in mind I started up a harsh switchback, snaking away from the road.
Shortly after I began climbing, the trees receded, and I had to put my trekking pokes away. The ascent was too steep and rocky for the poles to be of any use, I needed to climb with my hands. The heat of the rocks was somewhat uncomfortable as they baked in the sun, but nowhere near as uncomfortable as I'd be once halfway up the mountain. I wasn't yet prepared for this kind of wide open, dangerous, climbing. I wasn't a full hiker again yet, and even if I was this vertigo-inducing view may have made me nervous. So after an hour of nerve-racking climb, scurrying from one patch of sparse shade to another, I finally reached a safely level stretch. The moment I hit the top I realized that there were blueberries for days all around me. Every time I hunkered down behind a rock for shade I'd grab a handful and stuff them in my mouth.
The next 5 miles were just one long stretch of sun-baking, tick infested, tall grass and rocks (with blueberries). I brushed a total of 7 ticks from my left leg, but none of them deer. It was too brutally hot and sunny for this bit of trail, but once you begin there's no turning back.
Once I finally made it to the road, it was 1:30, and I had already drank 3 liters of water. That left me dry, so I started down to Danielsville. It was another 11 miles to the next shelter and water source, and I wasn't up for that this early in my trip, after such intense heat.
My first stop was the town restaurant, where I had my first soda that lived up to last years hike. Nothing ever tasted so good. I also had a big bowl of chili and some water ice before continuing down the road a spell to the local B&B.
I met an elderly couple who were thru-hiking, but they were the only other people at the place that night. I believe their names were Shade and Shadow. The caretaker took my clothes to launder and I enjoyed a lovely cold shower. Tick check, clear. I relaxed for the rest of the night, getting some food delivered and watching the latest Family Tree on HBOGo. If you're not watching it, you should be.
In the morning I got up at 6:30am for breakfast. A bowl of cantaloupe and bananas with an apple cinnemon muffin, and wonderful tomato and cheese omelette with sausage and potatoes. Orange juice and tea as well of course. Having eaten more than I should, I retired back to my room to continue my sleep.
By noon I was ready to leave, and the owner gave me a lift back to the trail. It was a wonderful stay, and even if it was a bit pricey, it saved me from going a night without water.
The trail began with another harsh climb, but nothing like yesterday. The sun was also behind the clouds; good for the heat, bad for the bugs. Other than tiring me out, the climb was uneventful, and I was quickly up to level ground. From there it was a long flat stretch of trail, taking me all the way to the shelter I was making my home for the night. Unfortunately it was also absolutely blanketed in rocks. I spent the rest of my day wandering boring flat terrain, with nothing to see but the seaming bugs, walking like a marionette. By that I mean by feet never quite land level, and it doesn't truly resemble walking. I couldn't count how many times I cursed Pennsylvania today. Loudly. But my ankles are tougher today, and there were no problems.
I had started the days hike at 12:30, and finished at 4:30, covering a distance of 11 miles. I'm ecstatic that I can still make time like that, especially over such awful ground. Plus, other than my beat up feet I felt great. I feel like in at the end of week 2, instead of halfway through week 1. Good omens.
Just before coming to camp I passed a large gathering of hikers having a nice sit. Probably around 7. We made introductions, but it was too many names all at once.
I walked on to the shelter and met someone else new named Dino DNA. I of course asked him if the name had anything to do with Jurassic Park (I can hear that little cartoon DNA strand saying that every time I say his name). He said it wasn't originally because of JP, but it has of course morphed into that since the name was given. We all do love our references.. and acronyms.
Once I had eaten my fill, and met a few more hikers, I filled up my water and gathered my supplies set up camp at the campsite. We all decided the shelter was a little rundown, and there was more room uphill. Cut to me in my tent, finally free of slapping at a mosquito every 5 seconds. It's the simple things.
Tomorrow my hope is to make a run into town on my way to the last shelter in PA, and then the next day will be a short one into Delware Water Gap. I'll take advantage of this cluster of towns while I can, soon I'll have to up my miles, or carry more food. I'm not carrying more food.
