7/11/99 Rausch Gap Shelter   Miles Today : 24.4 Miles to Katahdin : 1009.9

Pennsylvania is FLAT! Wow there are just no hills in this whole state, I swear. I got an average start around 8:00 this morning and headed north. I felt much better today than I did yesterday, and for the first time since I got back on the trail, I took the lead.

Armed with my new lightweight Solomon Raid Runners, and the first day of sub 90 temps since I have been back out here, I was flying! My pack was a little heavy since I just loaded up but other than that, things were just great.

Around 1:00 or so today, after a brief lunch break and a water fillup, I got a great treat. Other hikers out here have seen bears, rattlesnakes, wolves and foxes. Today, I saw a bald eagle no more than 6 ft away from me. I was walking along the ridge when this giant bird caught my eye. It was flying from my right to left just a few feet in front and above me, giving me a chance to see its white head and enormous wingspan. I have seen many turkey vultures and hawks on this trip but they can hold nothing on the magistry of the bird I saw today.

The rest of the day was pretty bland. The terrain was extremely flat and I just cruised all afternoon. I did pull something in my calf but I think it should be fine by the morning. I think that I pushed a little too hard for my first really good day.

The other things today worth noting: First, we passed by the site of an abandoned coal mine. While I couldn't find any mine shafts I did find a few pieces of coal lying around. Secondly, a few miles down the trail was the site of an old village. While all of the "ruins" that were left amounted to a dry well, a nice campsite with a mailbox journal there as well.

Here at the shelter tonight of course is DB, Colorado along with Jambone, Wood, Animal Cracker and Pending. Tomorrow is a sub-20 mile day to a good shelter. Still no rain.

-Chomp

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