Derrick Earls, More Heart than Scars tackle the AT together and in Spirit!: Day 72, July 26, 2014

Yukon and I awoke, and the breakfast was amazing. Eggs, Dill, mushrooms, cheese and toast. Yukon completed dishes and I pulled the onions. Todd went to the local part store for a chainsaw part. Cindy and Mary Alice went to Delaware Water Gap for an overnight camp on the AT.

Yukon and I hung laundry, folded our laundry and dried our boots. We prepped our bags for an overnight ourselves because we would return to Cindy's Sunday. She insisted and thoroughly enjoyed our company.

I helped load the truck with chainsaw carvings for the local fair. Todd took us to the trail around 1:30 p.m. after stopping to the store on the ride there. We bought him two Pepsis and grabbed some snacks. We arrived back to Eckville and shared some chips and dip with our fellow thru hikers. The caretaker Mic and Yukon continued to hit it off. They were both ex-military.

We began out hike with a nice inclined but smashed it. We saw a juvenile bear that darted in the woods in the mountain top. Todd requested Yukon and I keep a lookout for trail maintenance items. We picked up trash, moved limbs over and took pictures of 4 trees that needed chainsawing.

The hike was nice and of course.... Rocky. We arrived at Allentown Hiking Club Shelter. A 59 year old asked if we wanted coffee and of course we accepted. We laughed our butts off as we watched someone far in the distance fail to hang their bear bag. They were in the distance, the limb extremely high and at one point I saw their bear bag sling shot through the air.

Yukon and I continued on and ran into a 60-75 year old company prior to our arrival to our campsite. We said our hellos, spoke of the restaurant we were headed and carried on for about five minutes. As we departed the gentleman asked us to hold up, told the lady she had lost the bet and needed to pay up. She asked if she really had to do it and she pursued with her "paying up." Yukon and I observed her what looked like unbutton her britches, unstrap her bra under her shirt and she flashed us for a solid 5 seconds. SPEECHLESS! My first reaction I acted on was to give the guy and female a high five. I said that was awesome and Yukon followed suit by throwing some high fives. The lady walked away discouraged and with her head down. I took note of this as we said our goodbyes and departed. I turned around after 10 solid steps and said, "ma'am I still have the utmost respect for you." She smiled and said thank you as we walked separate ways.

This was what I needed! The situation put a smile on my face and gave me a morale booster. The rocks in PA mentally and physically pound you. I was ready to be done with the day, but now I had a pep in my step. Plus, things like this only happen on the AT!!! Yukon felt a different perspective and felt like his retinas had been burned. He's a funny guy no doubt!

We continued on and arrived in the back of the Blue Mountain Summit B&B. Tent camping was free for thru hikers and the grass was soft. We asked our fellow thru hikers what we needed to do and they said we were welcome to set up. The bar was a mellow and welcoming tone. We washed up and went for the food.

We met a thirty year old couple who were out on a date night. We shared our stories of the AT and little did we know they bought our dinner when they left. Travis had veal Marsala I had 12 wings and a mushroom Swiss burger. We were humbled. Travis ordered another burger on his tab and I got two beers on mine.

I cowboy camped for the first time. I laid my tent footprint, sleeping pad and sleeping bag on the soft grass. At 2:00 a.m. a storm rolled in and I ran for shelter at the bar. It took me a second to find shelter and I took my tent fly and wrapped it around my things. I stayed dry and felt homeless for once on the trail. I laid my head against the door of the building in a crouched position and waited for the storm to pass. I finally got my tent set up at 4:30 a.m. and passed out. We had arrived at the tent site at dark and were not able to observe our surroundings. Thus, I couldn't find a roof or porch with a shelter for several minutes when the rain rolled in at 2 a.m.