Date: 2009-06-15
From: Deer Lick Shelters

To: Birch Run Shelter
Miles today: 23.2
Weather: scattered clouds

My underquilt was not appropriately situated during the night, so I was cold! I kept wanting to sleep a little bit more to get warm and comfortable. All of a sudden, it was 6:47! Yikes! I had to get moving! I hit the trail at 7:31, with the intention of making breakfast further down the trail so as not to bother those still sleeping in the shelter. At 8:20, I got to Old Forge Park and found an outhouse, a picnic table, and water pump! Perfect! I made some oatmeal and a cup of coffee and enjoyed a leisurely breakfast. Last night, Yak warned us that we would be coming to a pool and another concession stand today... it seems to be getting easier and easier to find ways to slow down these days...   The next shelter area that I reached was Tumbling Run shelters, nestled in a pine forest. For some reason, in this area, there are often two small shelters instead of one. These ones were marked 'snoring' and 'non-snoring.' The privy here had a roll of toilet paper and a scented deodorizer in it! The PATC takes great pride in its section of the AT. Both the trail itself and the shelters are very well maintained. I enjoyed my second break of the day here, taking in the sereneness around me, before tackling the next climb.   My goal was to get to the pool at Caledonia State Park on US 30. When I got to the busy road with huge trucks blowing by, I saw no park and no pool. Across the road, I saw the trail going back into the woods. I took out my guidebook and tried to figure out where the park was. I thought it was 0.4 miles down the highway... I didn't know what to do! I had my heart set on relaxing at the pool for a bit, but was it worth an extra mile down a busy highway? I decided to move on down the trail... Tired and hot, as well as despondent, I sat down on a plank and opened a packet of tuna. I mixed some electrolytes into my water and snacked on trailmix, and tried to come to terms with not getting to the pool. I would just hike 10 more miles... As I hiked on, I came to a stream and thought about putting my feet in. Then, across a big lawn, I spotted the park and pool! I hadn't missed it! I walked around the lawn toward the pool, which was a sparkling, brilliant blue. There were mostly kids in it, and I found out it cost $4 for a day pass. I decided not to go in, considering I didn't even have a bathing suit. I just used the restroom and filled my water bottle. In the bathroom, I met a nice woman who had hiked a large part of the trail herself, and who had a lot of questions about my hike. One question that she asked me was what I missed the most. I thought about it, and answered "nothing". "Then you are right where you are supposed to be!", she said. She asked me if I was going to have a burger, but I said that I felt like I was eating too much lately! I did look at the menu on my way out, but with the half gallon challenge one day away, and having just had a burger, ice cream, and snacks the day before, I decided I did not need anything.    I had a climb coming up to the Quarry Gap Shelters, which turned out to be the cutest and best maintained on the trail, complete with potted flowers and all kinds of details to make it feel more like home. I just had to take a break here! I sat on a bench, ate a power bar, and read through the registery. At 5 o'clock, I headed out for my last 7.4 miles. A section hiker coming in said that I was braver than him! At 7:50, I reached Birch Run shelter. There was a family of 4 inside (parents reading to their two young daughters), and one person tenting. I made dinner at the picnic table, set up my hammock to the side of the shelter, and was in bed by 9:30, all tired out. (but how great to be able to take 4 relaxing breaks and still get in 23 miles!)