Date: 2018-05-10
From: Tom's Run shelter

To: Pine Grove State Park
Miles today: 3.6

It rained last night and I packed up my wet tent as a few hikers were passing thru the shelter. Tom's run is right on the trail so there's no blue blaze and hikers just passed thru. I like that actually, more socialization and fewer wasted blue blaze miles.Ambassador was under the pavilion packing up her gear and I joined here there to finish packing mine. We'd hike out together in the rain for the 3.6 to Pine Grove Furnace state park and the country store which is home of the 1/2 gallon challenge (Of ice cream that is!) and AT museum. We were passed by No Doubt on the trail this morning. It was an easy hike though rocky and wet which equals slippery. It was so slow going for me because of my right foot that Ambassador was far ahead of me most of the time, stopping occasionally so I could catch up and she could check on me. Very kind of her and indicative of the tramily ( trail family) culture that exists out here. When I arrived at the store Ambassador and Double H were there watching No Doubt eat his half gallon of ice cream in 30 minutes. We opted for a small dish instead of an upset stomach which we enjoyed much more I'm certain. We had both made reservations at the ironmasters mansion hostel right next door. I had spoken to the innkeeper on Wednesday and Ambassador had received an email confirmation the same day for a 1 night stay. Ambassador was expecting a package to arrive there as well. And I thought my food drop would be there which was perfect timing as I was on my last few items, but as it turns out it was sent to a post office 20 minutes away. Approaching the hostel steps we saw a note that said "Closed for private function". What? Seriously? We went up and sure enough a bunch of 3rd grade children had the hostel for the night. Innkeeper was reported to be upstairs however we couldn't get him to answer the phone and the bell that was previously located at the desk to ring in his apartment was no longer there according to a teacher with the occupying students who tried to assist us. Why on Earth would you take reservations for a day you have no available space and then not bother to call, text or email to let us know you've made a mistake so that we can make other arrangements? The next shelter was a 7.5 mile hike and there was no way I could do it. I needed a ride to an outfitter for new shoes and some rest. We enjoyed some fries, fresh water, free WiFi and phone charge at the store and contemplated our options. The campground less than a mile away was our only option. While we discussed our situation Mama Sue who was at a nearby table on the porch said that she stayed at the hostel Wed night and was booked for Thursday also, until Thursday morning when the innkeeper Jeff told her she couldn't stay because it was rented to a private group. Mama Sue (73 yrs old) slept in her car on Tues night because the hostel was closed. She's traveling in support of her son and his group of Monks who are hiking 12 weeks on the trail to spread happiness. They were sobo and I'd passed them 2 days ago! Yes, it was a sight. All of a sudden 2 robed Monks and about 6 or 8 hikers appear before me on the trail and I hadn't been eating any wild mushrooms! Well Mama Sue found a trail angel who put her up for the night and I was happy to hear that!!I walked to the AT museum and restrooms and Ambassador came in search of me. She'd met Windeagle and her wife LeAnn at the store and they we're staying at the campground. LeAnn is support for Windeagle's hike and they gave us a ride to Dick's about 40 minutes away. They also drove us to the ranger station so we could get a site and drove us right to it. Trail angels for sure! What a blessing, honestly. I was in such a funk until then. In pain and so irritated with the innkeeper. How unprofessional. We set up site before heading out to Dick's. Almost complete with our set up we scrambled for our rainfly and dove into our tents as the sky opened up with severe T-storms including hail. I was scared for sure and Ambassador was quite comforting. Surprised by my level of comfort I dashed from my tent to our trail angels car without hesitation in the midst of it all when they arrived to pick us up. Ambassador just missed me and was over at my tent with her trekking umbrella to escort me. She is very very kind. Off we went with so much hail on the ground it looked like a fresh coat of snow. I had help from Luke at Dick's who fit me in a men's Keene trail runner with a nice roomy toe box and my pinkies were so happy we walked out wearing them. My feet and me, an awesome 3 some. I can't hike without them and they can't without me. We're in this together all the way! Nearly 8 pm when we got back we showered and made a quick dinner when River texted me. She was at Tom's Run waiting out the storm earlier and had hiked into town to catch up with us. Trying to find the campground with no phone signal and no map is a hikers nightmare. We have trail maps but in towns we rely on Google maps.etc. I asked our trail angels to rescue her and they did. 15 minutes later River was next to us setting up her tent. We were late to bed and exhausted but the stress we each encountered earlier in the day was dissipated. We were all safe and dry and happy. We had all we needed. Tomorrow will be a zero for me and Ambassador. We needed to get our packages and my feet and I agreed on a rest for healing. I think River will hike out in the morning. Lights out!