Date: 2017-07-04
From: Toms Run Shelter Tent Site

To: Unnamed Campsite at Mile 1113.5
Miles today: 14.8

7/4Toms Run Shelter Tent Site to Unnamed Campsite at Mile 1113.514.8 miles Total miles:  1113.5Happy Birthday, America!  I woke up at 4:30 this morning and quietly stayed in bed resting, figuring to get up at 6:00.  I fell back asleep at 5:55 and woke back up at 6:30. Today was the big day: I'd make it to Pine Grove Furnace State Park,  home of the famous AT Half-Gallon Challenge.  No one else in camp planned on taking on the challenge. Most said they didn't think they could eat that much ice cream without getting sick. Actually,  I know myself and ice cream pretty well and knew it really wouldn't be much of a challenge, but I'd read about it for years and was ready to take it on.  I headed out about 8:00 and soon came across the official half-way monument.  I set a bit of Beau free at the monument and was soon joined by two other hikers, one of.whom took my photo.  I then continued on the three mile walk to the state park.  Pennsylvania is often called Rocksylvania in AT parlance due to the legendary rock fields that must be crossed in the north of the state.  While there are certainly rocky sections now, I am finding southern PA home to some of the most welcoming hiking I have found on the entire AT.  Granted, there are few views to photograph, but the trail winds through pretty woodlands with tall trees and underbrush thin enough to allow views through the trees.  I haven't seen any large wildlife but have encountered many squirrels and chipmunks, and walk among the songs and calls of countless birds. I scared a poor black snake sunning itself on the trail, and it quickly crawled into the woods.  The experience is really quite beautiful and pleasant despite the heat.  I soon arrived at the park and prepared for the challenge.  I only ate two of my three breakfast bars prior to leaving camp this morning and ate no snack bars on the trail, so I was primed and ready. The ice cream delivery truck had not yet arrived, so my choices were limited. I opted for Neapolitan for two reasons. One, it provides for different tastes within the same carton. Two, it was the only type they had.  Ice cream no longer comes in half gallons, so to complete the challenge, you eat the ice cream in the carton and then purchase an additional pint.  The record for consuming a half gallon of ice cream at the store is eight minutes and forty-five seconds. That guy reportedly ate it with his hands. I have standards; no hands. I also only carry a plastic spoon, and the ice cream was hard frozen, so I borrowed Gravity's metal one. As I expected, it really wasn't much of a challenge for me.  I chatted with a very nice family of four who were preparing for a bike ride, posed for pictures from another customer who wanted a record of an actual thru hiker taking the challenge, and enjoyed the experience of eating ice cream. I finished the carton in short order and opted for a pint of moose tracks.  Total time: thirty-two minutes. Total cost: $9.99.  Total reward: a tiny wooden spoon stamped with the words, "Member of Half Gal. Club." I expect it will become a family heirloom to pass down for generations.  After finishing the ice cream, I realized I was still hungry, so I ordered a hamburger and a large fries.  The hamburger was delicious, with an excellent bun and lots of toppings.  The large fries were, well, large. For the first time this entire journey I opted to not eat all of the food before me, and I shared my fries with Gravity and Jason.  Frankly, I am a little surprised my food binge did not affect me the rest of the day.  Like a snake that eats a rat and then nothing else for a week, I ate no other food until 7:30 this evening when I dined in camp after hiking an additional eleven miles. However, I felt no ill effects from my feeding frenzy.  After leaving the restaurant, Gravity and I paid a brief visit to the AT museum located in the park.  There were some interesting displays concerning the origins of the trail, one of the original shelters, and a children's exhibit in the basement.  It is an interesting and informative place. I signed the registry before leaving to walk through the throngs of happy Americans celebrating our country's birthday in the park.  There were hundreds of visitors, and I was pleasantly struck by the enormous diversity of this nation's citizenry. I waved to and was waved at by many people as Gravity and I walked through the park.  It's our third hot, sweaty day of hiking since that last shower in Waynesboro, so we tended to keep a wide berth.  Fellow hikers are all used to basically stinking, and it isn't that big a deal, but I do try to be considerate of other people's olfactory nerves, particularly the ones who smell of soap, deodorant, and body sprays. We were soon back in the comfort of the woods, where the shade helped against the heat.  I hiked along until around 2:00 before finding a quiet glade with a comfortable looking tree.  I leaned my pack against the tree, sat upon my little mat, and took a glorious power nap. I dozed for perhaps fifteen minutes and was ready for the rest of the day.  I hiked until 7:00.  The trail was almost deserted. I figure most folks were celebrating our nation's independence in more traditional ways.  Gravity and I camped in an unnamed camping site along a little stream, where we heard fireworks, even if we couldn't see them. We ate dinner, hung the food bags, and went to bed.  The plan for tomorrow is to eat lunch in Boiling Springs and then hiking to Carlisle, where we will resupply for the next section of the journey. I'm going back to sleep now, but before I do, I want to wish everyone a happy and healthy Fourth of July.