(Daily Mi: 6.6) Short day and short walk-out for Chris. Turned out we had camped just about a mile short of the shelter. Happily watered up. Pretty ledge right before hitting the Route 501 roadhead (and Chris's car). Saw a bluebird on the branch of a dead tree about 50' down. They are the most amazing color. Made it to the roadhead a little past mid-day. The 501 Shelter is down a short path north of the road. I dropped my gear. Chris changed into less stinky clothes. And we took his truck into a nearby town for a fast-food lunch. Chris left for home at about 3 pm, and I returned to my little box. The 501 Shelter is an enclosed cabin with, electric lights, bunks and a large central area. Piper and Choo Choo were in as were three northbound thru-hikers I first met in Duncannon (Leaf, Osh Kosh and Lilabeth). Food can be ordered to the roadhead parking lot from caretakers' home nearby. Late in the day the caretaker kindled a fire in a pit beside the cabin. Everyone ordered pizza and had dinner outside by the fire.