Day 77 (September 9)

Another short hike (11 miles) on a beautiful day. Today, Zest and I left our stealth camp and traveled across the Palmerton Zinc Superfund Site and down its mountain into Palmerton, PA. The Superfund Site is a deforested area that was killed by acid rain, a by-product of the zinc smelting process that occurred in this area for 70 years before the EPA cried foul. One wonders how the people survived. The hillsides are still barren of any large tree growth, but the American Chestnut almost made extinct in all eastern forests by the '50s is making a comeback on these hillsides. 

Palmerton itself has been an awesome stop. A guy bought our lunch for us at a diner. He and his wife were interested in our trip, and he and his sister actually met the famous Grandma Gatewood back in the early days of the AT. Grandma was one of the first thru-hikers on the AT. The grocery store gave us free apples for being thru-hikers, and at least a half dozen people on the street stopped to talk with us about the trip. Amazing to be so recognized. Finally, we are staying in the basement of the old town jail. It is set up for through hikers, complete with shower and flush toilet -- and all free. Stop in Palmerton, PA for good 'ol American hospitality. If you look a little ragety, you'll be a hero.