Date: 2015-05-15
From: Pine Knob Shelter

To: Pen Mar Park
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: overcast clouds

5/15, 17.8, Pen Mar ParkToday was a great day! I awoke with everyone else in the shelter around 6 am and was first out around 7. Ironman Bill and Just Pete were headed for a VA medical center to have Bill's knee checked due to increasing pain over the last two weeks. I headed out to meet a group of bikers from my home church on their way to meet me and buy me dinner! The hike today was very pleasant. Cooler temperatures in the high 60's made for good hiking,and the sun came out afternoon as well. The Mountain Laurel is in bloom, and so far the pollens of spring are leaving me alone. I scared up a couple of white tail deer early, but saw no more wildlife beyond squirrels and chipmunks the rest of the day. The trail was rocky, and even boulder strewn at times, so making great time didn't happen. I took breaks at a couple of shelters, and photos at the overlooks, generally just enjoying the day. On my last break of the afternoon I visited with another hiker. He is from Quebec and has not decided if he will hike thru. He started at Harper's Ferry so he has covered about forty miles, in five days. I told him he is moving fast enough and should focus on 8 mile days until his body is ready. He said his main goal today was a shower, and rest. I understand completely. He was a very pleasant fellow and I hope he will continue.I arrived at Pen Mar park at 4 pm and was sure I would have some time to relax before getting picked up. The caretaker greeted me and asked what he could do to assist. I asked him if there was a concession or soda machine nearby and he said no, but he had soda he would sell me out of a cooler in his truck. Bingo! I purchased a couple drinks and settled in at a picnic table by the parking lot. A voice mail around 5:15 let me know that my biker friends were an hour away, so I ordered a pizza for first dinner. Meanwhile my Quebec friend hiked in and borrowed my phone to call for a shuttle to a local hostel. He cut out about 2 miles of trail by taking the road but he will have his shower and rest. As I finished my pizza, the caretaker stopped by to be sure we were familiar with the history of Pen Mar park. It was originally a turn of the century amusement park/picnic grounds which was dismantled for the metal in the effort to support the second World War. It remains a wonderful park and community gathering place but I am sure was a wonderful destination for family outings in its time. Quebec's shuttle to the local hostel arrived and my friends arrived shortly after. The hotel was an enjoyable 30 min away so I hopped on the back of one bike and we strapped my pack to another and off we rode. Back at the hotel I showered and they treated me to a steak dinner and lots of good conversation. It was very encouraging to have them come to see me and say way to go and keep on going. We settled in for the night relatively early since I was up past hiker midnight, 8 pm, and they had ridden 425 miles to visit. I am near the actual halfway point, which is 1099.1 miles, which gives me pause to reflect on the journey. If I can stay healthy I know I will finish and one of the reasons is you. The challenge from here is mostly mental but having you out there reading this, mentally hiking along, keeps me going often each day. I think about he number of you who could be here if circumstances allowed and am very thankful my situation has worked out. Specifically, though, I am certain I will make it because of the loving support of my wife and the prayers of my mother and my church family. I lack nothing in support for this adventure and have them, and all of you, to thank. Thank You.Silverback