Hertlein Campsite to campsite near Swatara Gap – 17.6 miles
Friday, July 11th, 2014
After happening upon this turtle that I took a picture of, we stopped for lunch today at the 501 Shelter, which is a very nice fully enclosed bunkhouse type shelter with a caretaker (who was not on site when we were there). It’s got a big skylight and a solar shower and picnic tables inside and outside. It appears to sleep at least 8 people and you can even get pizza delivered here. We sat around the picnic table with a young female thru-hiker who looked like she weighed about the same as the pack she was carrying. I pulled out my homemade granola that Sarah had sent with me and Bob picked up the bag and almost fell off the picnic bench… “FEEL HOW HEAVY THAT IS!!!” he shouted at me. I felt slightly embarrassed in front of our female companion because clearly Bob was making fun of me for not being more judicious about the weight of my food. The granola was really good, but he was right… it weighed a ton as far as backpacking snack food goes. Maybe that’s why my shoulders were in such bad shape…😳.
Interstate 81
Wherever I May Roam 