01 May - Fine Lodging, Slatington

Warm night, in the 50s.  Warm and sunny today, high in the mid 80s+. 

We hiked in to highway 873 at Lehigh Gap near Palmerton by around 12:00.  Ira Fine came out to pick us up and we are staying at Fine Lodging in Slatington.  It is a place often used by thru-hikers and Ira helps with shuttles and rides when he can.  He has basic, low cost rooms available and food and laundry are nearby.  It is a good place for hikers.

The weather is turning bad - rain and thunderstorms the next 2 days.  Also, the hike up from Lehigh Gap is one of the most notorious on the AT (steep and rocky).  Wendy is not too happy with this and wants to go around it on something called the Winter trail. 

We do not want to miss 2 days so we are planning a short hike tomorrow.  It will include the climb up on the AT and just a short hike beyond that to Little Gap Rd.  Ira will drop us off where he picked us up today and then meet us in the early afternoon at Little Gap.  So, we will hike but come back to dry out and sleep in a bed.  Monday, we may hike again or take a zero day depending on weather and feet. 

Tomorrow will be 30 days on the trail.  30 days is the time often quoted as needed to get in trail shape.  Well I am in much better shape and much lighter, but I am certainly not there yet.  I guess I had further to go than most.  Looking forward to losing more weight and getting stronger.