Date: 2010-06-24
From: Toms Run Shelter

To: Alec Kennedy Shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: scattered clouds

About 1/2 mile out of the shelter this morning I pass a sign that reads simply, "AT Mid Point 2009, 1089.6 Miles", and with that I cross the half way point of my journey. I stop to photo the sign before moving on, and after ponder the significance. It's difficult to imagine that this is only the half way point since the first 2 1/2 months have felt like such a long time, yet the second half also seems less daunting as I'm more in tune with the rigors, trials, and tribulations of what lies ahead. Walking on, I carry this image in my head that to this point I've been counting up with each step and now crossing the mid I've the sense that every step is now a countdown.Four miles into my hike I come to Pine Grove Park, one of the nicest parks I've yet seen on the trail, and home of the 1/2 gallon challenge. The goal of the challenge is to purchase and eat a 1/2 gallon of ice cream in a sitting, either chocolate, vanilla, mint, or butter pecan. It's only 9:00a but a half dozen hikers are seated on the porch having a go at it. I intend initially to do the same but walking into the camp store I notice they also have a grill, and scanning the menu I inquire if it's too early for a cheeseburger, receiving a 'Nope' reply. Done. I order the cheeseburger, grab a chocolate milk and 2 packs of pecan swirls and then join the other hikers on the porch to enjoy my breakfast. The burger was a good idea and I'm glad I didn't force myself into the ice cream, which would have been wonderful later in the day when the temps tweak into the 90's.The park also features a small lake (or pond) with a sand beach and I notice Erik the Red head over, shed his gear and wade in for a dip. I hesitate only a second before following his lead and am soon enjoying this cool, watery oasis. The water is clean and clear and I can see small minnows swim about my feet pecking and eating god knows what off of them. I don't really care though as it actually feels soothing to be preened by these little fish. I swim around a bit and chat with Erik and Boomer, who's also joined the swim. I last about 20 minutes before dragging myself out to dry off; there's 16 miles left that unfortunately won't hike themselves and won't allow me to swim with total abandon as this hangs in the back of my mind. This is typical of my somewhat Puritan mindset to get the work out of the way first, hiking the miles, before allowing myself to relax, but in this case I'm glad I 'stop to smell the roses' at this choice opportunity, and make a note to myself to be open such opportunities as they arise in the future. Fed and refreshed, I return to the trail.I continue on, heat blazing but savoring my 'countdown steps' when I meet southbound hiker, Tiptoe, who notifies of me pending trail magic ahead. This is just what I need, when I need it and shortly I'm enjoying Pink Lemonade and cookies with On The Loose, Erik the Red, and King Crawler. The lemonade is ice cold and really hits the spot, further energizing me for the day. Not too much longer after I stop for lunch and during this brief period I watch as dark, ominous clouds form overhead and thunder rumbles in the distance. The light of forest floor quickly dims and before continuing I put on my pack cover to try and appease the rain gods. King Crawler notes there's a general store 1 1/2 miles ahead, or about 1/2 hour and we set off. The wind continues to whip up and the skies to darken and I pass a southbounder who says there's a tornado warning in effect. I pick up my pace a bit more as the rain begins to pelt, thinking now of only reaching the general store. In short order I hike in a total deluge, the trail quickly filling with water to become the Appalachian Creek. I press on to arrive at Green Mountain General Store as the rain is just starting to let up. The store is a wonderful stop though, regardless, with a great deli, snack, and drink selection. They also have a TV tuned to the Weather Channel and I can now see the red cell of clouds that just pelted me which was swift moving and has already passed to the east. I dry out a bit, wringing the water out of my socks and shoes, and then grab a drink and pint of ice cream. I return once more and order a turkey sub planning on eating it for dinner since I know I'll be arriving in camp later with all my diversions over the course of the day.Rain gone, once more I press on through what is now a hot, steamy landscape. I still have 6 miles to go and before reaching the shelter the trail takes a turn for the rocky, with trail architects sadistically navigating the trail back and forth over boulders, which wouldn't be so bad if I weren't carrying a 30lb pack and hadn't already hiked 1100 miles to enjoy a bit of rock hopping. I persevere and finally make the shelter around 6:30, tired and relieved at the same time, glad to pull out the sandwich I've carried for the last 6 miles. Walk on!