Date: 2014-05-27
From: Campsite north of Milesburn Cabin

To: campsite north of Pine Grove Furnace State Park
Miles today: 14.6

Got packed up and left the campsite at 8:10. The forecast had been for 70% chance of rain, but the morning was warm and sunny. I made pretty good time on a fairly easy trail. My feet seemed to like the shoes, and they began to function more normally. Just before the Birch Run Shelter, I stopped to talk with a guy who is on his second day hiking SOBO from the mid-point to GA. No trail name yet. Flossie and Grey Squirrel came by, saying they were hurrying to meet friends. I said I had read their trail journal before I left for my own hike. I stopped in at the shelter and signed the register, ate a snack, and headed off. While I was sitting on a rock taking a break, Bear Bait, who is from southern Kentucky, came by and stopped. He started in early February, then took some time off the trail. He is now trying to do 30 mile days fairly consistently. He said a base pack weight of 11 pounds helps. I guess so. Mine is now probably 21, and if I left out the iPad Mini, the camera, rain pants (which I might send home), and extra shirt and pants, I could lose 3-4 pounds. But I am not ready yet, though my feet would likely be most grateful. The trail continued to be fairly level and easy. I took a picture of a small sign placed by the ATC indicating the midpoint of the AT for 2014. The total length is 2,185.3 miles. The previous mid-point had a more elaborate sign, but the trail was about 5 miles longer when it was put up. I congratulated the passing NOBOs on their accomplishment.Stopped for another break at the Toms Run Shelter after a bit of a steepish downhill. Infinity had written in the register today that she was headed for the Ironmasters Mansion. Hostel. Too bad. I had thought I would go there tonight as well, but Lee reminded me in a text last night that it is closed on Tuesdays. Hope I find her someplace. A SOBO section hiker was at the shelter, and Private Joker arrived also. Another Kentuckian. We chatted a bit as we walked out, agreeing that we'd skip the half gallon challenge at the Pine Grove Furnace General Store, and then I said he did not have to slow his pace for me. My feet were in rebellion again, and I was moving more slowly than I wanted to.I began to hear the distant rumble of thunder, and as it got closer, I put the pack cover on. Eventually added the rain jacket when it began to sprinkle. I wanted to move faster to get to the General Store, but the feet really hurt. The rain picked up a bit when I got to the Pine Grove Furnace Park road, but it was not too bad. I got to the store, which had a nice deep porch with tables, some occupied by several thru-hikers, including Private Joker. Went in and ordered a cheeseburger, and just then the bottom of the clouds fell out. I had to rescue my pack from the rain blowing onto the porch. Was I lucky! I'd have been drenched. By the time I finished the burger, it was over but for light sprinkles. I had a scoop of chocolate ice cream and left. My plan was to go to a campsite about 2.7 miles up the hill from the park, and I needed to get water. I walked to the building by the little lake that had bathrooms and a good outside water fountain. After filling the water bottles, I decided to go back to the boots so changed in the dressing area of the women's room. It was a good decision. The feet still hurt, but they were better, and I managed the climb in reasonable time. I found the small site and set up. The woods are wet, and some of my stuff is damp, but the rain stopped. There have been more rumbles, so it may rain again. I am dry in the tent, and I hope for no rain when I have to pack up in the morning. I'd love to get to Boiling Springs, where there is a post office practically on the trail. But that's nearly 17 miles, and the Allenberry Resort, which has hiker rates, is half mile further. There is a shelter in a bit over 13 miles, so we'll see. At this point, I think I'll send the shoes home rather than the boots. The SOBO guy said the rocky part starts after Duncannon, which is only a day or so past Boiling Springs. I can get the shoes back for NY to VT.