Due to service, days 77 and 78 will both come out today

Guess who’s back? Back again. Jamie’s back. Brought a friend. 

Dad and I met up this morning in the lobby of our hotel, dressed to go. We each donned our hiking gear and packs (his a little cleaner and better smelling than mine) and did what we came out here to do. We ate breakfast. Piles of pancakes, bacon and eggs filled our table and then were quickly devoured before it was time to get back to the trail. 

An uber dropped us off right where I had gotten off and it was like I never left. We stopped for a quick photo at the first blaze we saw and then we started the climb out of town. I followed dad for the first 8 feet before yelling at the slow old man to get the heck out of my way. (I didn’t say it exactly like that but I’m sure it had the same effect) 

I had been warned about the climb out of town by rocket and baby talk. My first thought as I climbed the beginning was that they had overblown it. Sure it was a bit steep, but it wasn’t anything we hadn’t done yet. But then the boulders started.

We walked where we could, scrambled where we had to and prayed the rest of the time as we climbed the rocks out of town. It was slow going, but it made for some beautiful views out over the Lehigh valley (unless it wasn’t the Lehigh valley I was looking at, in which case it made for some beautiful views over some other valley). It was a gorgeous section but very tough – welcome to the trail dad! 

Rocksylvania faded a bit after that but never disappeared, the trail remained littered with small pointy rocks waiting to grab out at your toes or knock your ankle whenever they could. 

A few miles after that welcoming climb, I found myself at the first water cache of the day. A trail angel had left jugs of water sitting on the side of the trail for us to fill up with. I sat down for lunch and was sure to fill up my bottle a few times. While it wasn’t too hot, it was humid and I knew I needed the hydration. 

While I sat waiting for dad to catch up, I dug into my foot long Walmart packed out sandwich and repaired a heel blsiter. I then did a quick scan of my body. I felt so good to be back on the trail – back moving. But at the same time, I felt every single one of the days off I had to take. Every stride was a bit more labored and every funny step felt a bit funnier. But I didn’t mind, it was beautiful and I was back to walking. 

Once he arrived, he went through the same routine (except I helped dad finish his footlong Walmart packed out sandwich) and then we were off again. Back to the woods and rocks. 

7 miles later I found myself at the next water cache. I chatted with an older pair of siblings who were from the area and told me all about some of the best waterfalls around and where to find them. They also told me stories about snakes that I did not like and will not repeat. 

Dad and I filled up at the water cache and crushed the .3 miles to camp. It was a pretty short day but both of us were happy to get to camp early. Plenty of time to set up and hang around – plenty of time to get a fire going. There was plenty of time to get the fire going, but somehow even with the two Rosenberg boys, we were unable to get it lit. The leaves and sticks were just a bit too wet. 

So we ate our cold ramen noodles (dad’s review: “really not that bad”) next to the cold fire pit. We did the single worst bear hang known to man and called it a night. Successful first day back 

Key stats:

Miles: 13

Elevation gained: 1300 ft

Mile marker: 1273

Dads on trail: 1