Sometimes it is “bust your butt” kind of half-day! Today was some super tough miles, with lots of rocks and elevation. Both up and down. I’m not sure how I got here, maybe a wing and a prayer, but it was definitely my hardest day yet. If my knee was flexing better, it may not have been as tough. No, it still would’ve been hard, anyway you slice it.

The morning started with a whammy. The USPO doesn’t open till 1230. Seriously, I’ve heard of banker hours but this is the job everyone would want. Sleep in, hit the trails for a morning hike or run up the rocks, come home, shower, shave-if you’re a guy, and after lunch, mosey on in to work. Perfect! Thank goodness the gal Angie who is the only one working at this fine establishment, shows up early. Being there was a three day weekend, Angie was anticipating a few extra pieces of mail to sort. I was waiting at noon and she did open a bit early, but surprise, surprise, surprise, my box was not there. I did receive a couple of cards from my Prayer Warrior Mary, which was exactly what I needed, before I went Postal. Angie said she’ll keep looking and if anything shows up, she’ll bounce it to Delaware Water Gap. The next town up the trail. So the saga continues.

I was running late so I hit Walmart first. Luckily it was right down the road and Shuttle Steve was there at my rescue. Once restocked, I headed straight up the hill. It’s gonna be one of those days. Not all days are unicorns and butterflies. Some days are dungeons and dragons, Fire-breathing dragons! I wasn’t in the mood to talk with anyone, let alone be the kinder and gentler person. I had work to do and that took more energy than I even knew I had. Lord willing, I was going to find some joy on this trail. Sure enough, once I got into my slower than usual pace, I forgot about my worries of missed boxes and days without green juices.

Have I told you about the rocks in Pennsylvania? Geese, this next hundred miles is what everyone talks about. It is a true mine field for over a hundred miles. You totally have to be “in the game” because this could end your long-distant career in a heartbeat. It’s game on, all day long. I should be a pro at jumping, well rather stepping, from one unsteady rock to another by the time I exit this fine state. It’s truly a mind game and if you don’t mind, it won’t drive you insane. I have decided that I love rocks, all kinds of rocks, big ones, little ones, ones that rock and roll, all shapes and sizes! You have to accept what you can’t change and there ain’t changing these rocks. It is what it is and I am not turning back! So there rocks, I’m gonna love you like no one else has ever loved you.

I’ve gone mad, truly crazy and looney. Lock me up and throw away the key. Well maybe not that fast. I started talking again to the nice and not-so-nice people of the trail. Honestly everyone, for the most part, are pretty darn nice people. I met another flip-flopper who started the same week as me. She doesn’t have a Trail Name yet, and for the life of me I can’t remember her real name. That’s the thing. Trail Names are easy to remember. There’s a story that goes with it. Okay, it Hallie or Holly, something like that. She’s stopping at the Eckville Shelter for a Shower in a Shed. It’s amazing what ingenious ideas Trail Angels come up with to pamper their guests.

I visited a few vistas along the way, just to have a break from the wonderful world of rocks. The temperature was warm and they are guessing, weather people are not all that accurate, that this weekend we will be hitting 90’s. Oh my, that’s a bit warm for my likings and add a little bit of humidity to that mix, watch out. It’s gonna be a thing.

I arrived at a pristine vista, Dan’s Pulpit. It overlooks the farmlands below and has a great place to sit and ponder. I was done for the day so I found a relatively flattish spot to pitch my tent for the night. It boggles my mind why everyone wants to camp in a shelter when you have beautiful places like this to rest your weary body. I’ll be relaxing and enjoying the sunset.