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A different kind of rain followed: a quick heavy downpour and then an immediate light rain.

We filtered water at Pocahontas Spring and then passed by Minnehaha Spring and lunched at Pulpit Rocks. Our friend James says the Pinnacle is a favorite place. Too bad we had fog and rain there and could not enjoy the view.

We arrived at Eckville shelter in late afternoon to find cokes for sale. We indulged. Then as we started toward Allentown shelter we were joined by Raven. He is hiking at a fast pace toward Delaware Water Gap to meet his hiking partner. We arrived late (almost dark) at the shelter because of several fields of boulders. The people in the shelters we being bombarded by mosquitoes, so we all decided to set up tents.

July is red, white, and blue month. We saw a red salamander for the first time in many miles. New white rhodas are blooming from soft pink buds. And blue berries have appeared along the trail. Yep, pints of fresh, sweet, blue berries are there for the picking. Now you will think that eating blue berries, not the despised Pennsylvania rocks in the trail, is slowing our pace.

Another day of boulder fields! They are interspersed with some reasonably good trails. But when the map says "the trail is unmaintained and rocky"
look out. That means someone painted white blazes on the boulders and called it a trail.

We decided to call it a day after 17 miles. We were short on lunch food and hitched into town. We are sleeping in the old jailhouse in Palmerton. But we had to register with the police. I hope this doesn't show up on our records somewhere! Town hospitality includes showers and toiletries that say "YOU HAVE A FRIEND IN PALMERTON" Townspeople are eager to give directions and recognize us as hikers when we walk in.

We heard "too clean to be thru-hikers several times today" from other hikers. We are still meeting lots of hikers that are new to us.

To get out of Lehigh Gap we bouldered with hands and feet up 1000 feet. This was the most fun I've had on the trail! The day was perfect hiking temperature with a slight breeze which produced the clearest views we have had on the AT. This was a superlative day!

Palmerton had zinc mines in the past and emissions from the foundry polluted the ground and killed the vegetation, but somehow the area still seemed beautiful. Maybe we shouldn't have eaten blueberries from this area, but if they grow and produce a few aren't too bad.

We have been high on the ridge all day and the first water opportunity was 16 miles in and way down the hill. Ken filtered enough to last all the way in to Delaware Water Gap, our last PA re-supply. We are getting close to NJ.

We finished the day by hiking until after 8 pm before finding a campsite. Just our luck to find marshmallows and graham crackers scattered near the fire pit. Ken buried them under a pile of leaves and rocks. Hope we don't have visitors tonight!

The trail into town was rocky, but not bad compared to what we have had.
We had enough water so that we bypassed the last shelter and made it to town early enough to make the PO.

All the thru hikers were speeding along anxious to get to Delaware Water Gap. We are all hoping that the rocky trails will magically end with the state line. The town is small. The Presbyterian Church has a large hostel where most thru hikers stay. We are staying in the air conditioned Ramada Inn on the far side of town, which we chose for laundry capabilities. Alas, no laundry services at all in town.

We met several more thru hikers tonight at the local restaurant. Some were names that we have seen in trail registers. After eating we all sat and exchanged stories...interesting to us!

Showers are wonderful.