Date: 2018-08-02
From: Pen Mar Park

To: PA 233
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: light rain

I slept fairly well last night, and enjoyed a hotel breakfast this morning. Papa Big Swig dropped us off near our trailhead before 9am. My favorite 4 legged hiker joined us today too! Exactly 0.3 miles into our hike we crossed the Mason Dixon Line.  I¢m officially in Pennsylvania! Also known as rocksylvania!  The rocks aren¢t horrible yet, but everything is flooded. I was trekking through areas with water up to my shins in many places. AND the rain keeps falling.  There was a chopper circling above for quite a while during the worst of the downpour. Hugs and I both wondered if it was a search and rescue. We¢re keeping our eyes open.  The rain had let up a bit when I looked up and saw a small herd of deer off to the right. Seylor was in front of me. I just kept praying Dear God please do not let Seylor see the deer. I could only imagine standing in the rain for an hour while she chased them. She did not see them.  I stopped at a Shelter around noon for a snack.  Seylor also needs her calories so she got a small bowl of food. It rained the whole time, but we were dry in the shelter.  After lunch the rain slowed. During a lull Seylor decided to chase something up and away from the trail. This is never good.  I walked slowly until I felt I had gone far enough away that she may have difficulty finding me again. About 10 minutes later she came back with her tongue hanging out. This happened several times today until I finally had to leash her up. I was frustrated, so poor Seylor did the last 5 miles on her leash.  During the time I spent waiting on Seylor it crossed my mind that I need to be more like dad. He never got upset when dogs ran off in the woods. I can hear him now saying ¢he¢ll come back sis¢. I know dad is right. Seylor always comes back. I just don¢t feel I have the time to wait while she galavants around anymore.  So with my trekking poles in my left hand and her leash in my right  I put one soaked boot in front of the other.  We sloshed our way through a lot of water and mud. Then God gave me a surprise! The woods opened up to a field. No more rain was falling, and I got a view!  It was a foggy view, but I¢ll take it! All too soon we were back in the wet woods. The last couple of miles was a series of woods, then road crossing, then woods, then road crossing etc. there were a total of 3 road crossings.  Today was the first time I¢ve ever felt unsafe while hiking. Just before I came to the first road crossing a truck slammed on its brakes. I could hear them sliding in the gravel. Then it backed up and parked on the side of the road. I listened to the engine idle as I was getting closer to the road. I could also see that they were watching me through the trees. At first I just hoped they didn¢t think I was a deer.  So first Seylor popped out onto the road, then me. I quickly started walking across but the old brown truck was faster and pulled up beside me.  It was two guys probably mid twenties. They began a series of questions first about my dog, then asking if my car was parked near by, to asking if I sleep in the woods. They gave me the heebie-jeebies!  I told them my dog was friendly until she came off her leash. I also let them know my husband was picking me up, and by the grace of God, Hugs caught up to me right there. They drove off. My gut says they were up to no good.  Two more roads and there I was at the parking area where Papa Big Swig picked us up. He¢s still my knight in shining armor!  Until Next Time Blue Raccoon (2018)Where¢s your faith?