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Saturday–July 10, 2021
Trail Day–141
Trail Mile–-15.4/1,601.4
Location–PA-443, then to Comfort Inn Swatara/Pine Grove, AT Mile 1,182.7
I’m usually awake before my alarm sounds. Not this morning though. Slept right up to and through it. Stephen and John fix coffee, steak & eggs. That gets me up and moving.
It’s a fairly short drive from their retreat back to the trail and I’m headed on north before eight with rejuvenated (hot Epsom salts tub-soaked) body, clean clothes, and a full tummy.
I’ve a thousand-foot climb first thing. Plenty of rock hopping to reach the boulders on the ridge. But the trail isn’t as rock-jammed as I expected and I’m able to make decent time.
Afternoon, and in my hypnotic rock hopping mode, I’m stopped by a fellow coming toward me. “Nimblewill, I was hoping I’d find you today. Remember me?” I’m embarrassed when I’ve got to say no. But when he tells me, “I’m Ranger Bob” it all clicks. We summited Katahdin together in ’98. If you’ve got my first book, Ten Million Steps, take a look at the sketch of those intrepid that were gathered by the old sawhorse that day. There’s Ranger Bob right there with me! He lives nearby and has been following my entries for this trek. Pure joy seeing you again, Ranger Bob–23 years later! Thanks for coming out and tracking me down.
More excitement late afternoon as I’ve got to cross a long, shaky beaver dam. And final excitement for the day is seeing Ben and Misty again, dear friends who’ve come all the way from Alabama to support me a couple of days. They’re waiting for me with a cold Sprite at the PA-443 parking lot.
Don’t let the fear of the time it will take to accomplish something stand in the way of your doing it.
(Earl Nightingale)
…there are charmed moments…
in every life and in every day, if we are only…
wise enough to appreciate them.
(Katrina Kenison)
