Date: 2016-04-30
From: Pen Mar Road in Waynesboro, PA

To: Quarry Gap Shelters
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Soup was on this morning's menu as today's hike continued with gray and limited visibility. Soggy, a trail angel friend of Brave's, was coming to take Rambo and me to breakfast but I opted to begin hiking instead because I knew that to get to today's destination would take many hours of effort on my part. I'm not complaining. It is just the reality that Rambo is a much faster hiker than I am so he can start later in the morning and still hike 20+ miles. So I joined Pak and Ibu in a shuttle to the trailhead at 7:00 a.m. from Roger. Roger (717-977-6548 or 717-762-1217) just charges $5 per person for the drive from Days Inn to the trailhead which is a real bargain. Trust me, you don't want to walk back, which is almost all uphill. Roger charges the same fee to be picked up at Pen Mar Road or similar AT spots. The trail today was dirt-based. And I am enjoying it while it lasts. Pennsylvania is commonly referred to as Rocksylvania but I only got brief tastes of the rocks today. There were a few notable climbs but, for as steep as they were, they were manageable. Surprises came as there was a water spigot at the Old Forge Picnic Area and then the bigger surprise that Caledonia State Park had a water fountain and restrooms open. There were many cars parked there and I suspected people were hiking various trails because there weren't many extra weekend hikers on the AT. I ate dinner at one of the picnic tables and was able to get a drink, wash up, and throw away my trash inside the restroom. I realize this probably seems to be not be a big deal, but trust me when I say that amenities like this are greatly appreciated, particularly when they come as a surprise. Rambo caught me just before my last two miles. I'd been hiking in cool weather all afternoon long that occasionally threatened rain. The shelters I passed earlier looked nice and the Quarry Gap Shelter was beyond nice. The shelter's caretaker has a posted sign welcoming us. Flower containers adorn the shelter area that comes with a bear vault, a bench, and covered picnic tables. I was able to snag one of the final spots in the shelter and Rambo found a covered spot to hang his hammock. We were hoping to get such cover because the forecast calls for 100% rain tonight and tomorrow. Wet gear means extra weight so we avoid having wet sleeping gear if at all possible. We didn't see or hear from Bonnie & Clyde today but Rambo got a message from Blues Brother that he is about 5 days back and is hiking with a good group. Didn't say anything about his knees so that sounded positive. Hiking solo today made for plenty of time to think. My mind seemed concentrated on tomorrow, Day 75 of this hike. Today's destination was just 10 miles short of the actual AT mid-point. If I am lucky enough to finish the AT's second half in another 75 days then I'd be done in exactly 5 months, a very respectable time and one that would nicely align with our annual family vacation. It may seem odd to hear me thinking about such things. I am not wishing away this journey's end. It's just that some of us think about logistics while hiking. There are many prizes in the AT's second half - the White Mountains, the miles shared between the AT and The Long Trail, Maine, and visits or hiking with friends who are now able to travel somewhat smaller distances to enjoy this journey with me. And a secret hope that my upcoming few days off trail for personal celebration will result in my being reunited or at least dramatically closing the mileage gap to consider being able to hike with some of my first half Trail family. There were plenty of smiles today as one thought replaced another. Almost forgot reality - Pennsylvania is expected to bruise my feet and eat up a pair of boots as I make my way over those rock fields. Slow, safe, and steady. The second half is about to begin.