Date: 2012-05-16
From: Dalgrehn's Campground

To: Penmar Park
Miles today: 24.0

Didn't get a lick of sleep last night since Mack smelled like a swamp creature and cried all night. He wanted to go out to play and whined when I wouldn't let him out. I finally released him around 7:00 and he burst out of the tent at full speed, barking at the other tents. He bee lined for one tent and lifted his leg to pee on it. Great way to start my morning. I had my coffee and breakfast and packed up. It was going to be a long day. I walked to Washington Monument and stopped there for a snack and to enjoy the view. I talked to some section hikers and told them stories from my travels. They loved the canoeing story. I continued on and met up with Solar Eagle, who ended up walking with me all day. We pretty much kept the same pace so it worked out well. He also knew every inch of the trail so I never had to look at my map. He is a retired marine and was really looking out for Mack and I. He even walked south when I fell behind. He spends his time just walking from Maryland to Massachusetts since that's the part of the trail he enjoys the most. I met a weekender who was hiking with his dog as well. He kept her on a leash the entire time walking step for step along with him. She was carrying her own pack with water, food, rain gear, a sleeping pad, camp towel and tyvek in it. Mack was running circles around her, in and out of the woods, teasing her. Every time she responded to Mack, her owner would discipline her, yelling "You're here to hike! You have a job to do!". Poor little dog never had any fun! So I continued on with Solar Eagle, we saw a poisonous snake eating a chipmunk. He was in the middle of the trail with a cute little chipmunk butt hanging out of his mouth! I got good pictures since Solar Eagle said he wouldn't bite me with his mouth full. We did get out of there before he was done eating though. I ran out of water after like 17 miles. I started to get tired! And we had a giant uphill before Rocky Run shelter. I did half the uphill then found a spring. The water was coming straight from a rock so I didn't even filter it. I just started drinking it like crazy. I had some electrolytes with it and went straight up that hill. We passed the shelter at 19 miles and Solar Eagle said goodbye. It was really good hiking with him all day. Once he was gone, Mack started crying and looking for him. He had been sharing his food with Mack and throwing sticks to him all day. But, we had to move quick to make the last 5 miles by sundown. I turned on my phone and called Laurie to ask her to pick me up at Penmar. She didn't answer at first and I started to panic, thinking I would have to set up camp in the dark after hiking the longest day ever. She called back though and relief washed over me. I asked her to meet me at 8:30 and then I hauled ass. Time to get serious. I still had to go down a crazy rock scramble that I remembered climbing a few times in the past. It was going to take me a while to do since I was already exhausted and the rocks fell so rough on my feet and knees. I got there and slowly made my way down. I rolled my ankles about a dozen times, each step was excruciating. But I made it! At the bottom, Mack literally collapsed. He sighed and just hit the ground, arms and legs straight out. I started to feel so guilty for making him do such a long day, but then a deer ran by and he leaped up and chased it deep into the woods. I ignored him completely and kept walking. He came down the trail going South a few minutes later and turned around when he saw me to go North. He's so smart! So we made it to Penmar, just after sunset but before we needed a headlamp. Laurie picked us up and took me to Subway and got a pizza. I ate like crazy! She took me to a nice hot shower and big comfy bed, and even put the teevee in my room on with Army Wives ready for me!!! Such luxury! I want all hikes to end like this! I would not have been able to do 24 miles without knowing I was coming to this. I feel super accomplished today.