Date: 2012-06-06
From: Dahlgren Backpack Campground - Tented

To: Wolfsville Road - Free State Hiker Hostel
Miles today: 13.8

Day 73 - Wednesday, June 6thHiking Days 43 / Nero Days 11 /  Zero Days 4 / Off Trail Days 15Start Location: Dahlgren Backpack Campground - TentedMile Marker: 1034.4 (2011= added 2.3)Ending Location: Wolfsville Road - Free State Hiker HostelMile Marker: 1048.2Time: 5h 12minMiles: 13.8Weather: Still another perfect hiking day.  Morning cool.  Afternoon warm. Partly cloudy. My goal was simply to get another good nights sleep. Last night I was able to go to sleep early, 8:30, and rest until 6:30.  A good ten hours.  The cooler night in my tent was great.  It always makes it difficult to unzip the bag knowing your cocooning is over.  Still up and out.  This was a state run cordite complete with flushing toilets, level and boxed tent sites, good water and I even found an electrical outlet to charger phone.  After over 1000 miles, keeping my battery management for my phone has really been rather easy.  By going the few extra miles yesterday, I knew that today's hike was going to be short and quick.  And it was.  Even taking my time, I arrived at the Free State Histel at 1:00.  I was tempted to move on but my plan was just to give my legs two days to loosen up after such a long break.  I also needed to stop here since I had a small mail drop.  In it are the aller items such as my knife, band aids, tooth brush/paste, and bug spray. One at the hostel, I opened my mail drop and there was no Toothbrush/toothpaste or bug spray.  No biggie on the bug spray but it's now three days without brushing my teeth.  Since all I do is eat sugar all day, this is just not a good thing.  Diesel came to the hostel.  Picked up a shuttle to town but was then going back to the trailhead.  I guess it will be two more days to the Pine Grove Furnace State Park campstore until I am able to brush. Yuck. I still have two small bug wipes so I could make these last until then. The hostel is very nice.  A bit pricy at $32 but then again we are now north and prices for all the services are higher.  The part I don't understand about some hostels is why they don't all provide wi-fi.  And here there is no phone service so this would certainly be handy.  Also, there should be a TV.  The shower also had poor water pressure but there wad laundry, and a reasonable amount and selection of snacks available for purchase. I have taken a good look at myself after my shower and shave and boy, if I did not look like a day hiker before, I really do since I got back on the trail.  With a watch that's not all taped together, new shirts, new shoes, socks, shaved and now with a pack at 8lbs 3oz with food, there is no way I resemble the typical thru hiker. About 5:00 a section hiker came in.  GI Joe since he is a retired lieutenant col. And his first name is Joe.  Since it was nearing dinner time we ordered italian food and had it delivered.  I ordered a large calzone since I planned on eating the leftovers for breakfast.  I did have a ramen earlier that I found in the hikers box.  Being that GI Joe and I were the only two in the hostel we had some good conversation throughout the night.  We seem to have the same views on many issues.  He also seemed willing to share his military stories which, after over 20 years of service, were very interesting.  Went to sleep at 9:00.  A bit later them I wanted but still ok.