Date: 2004-07-17
From: Ensign Corwall Shelter

To: Rocky Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 24.3

I got an early start to another great day.   I had to get over to South Mountain post office before noon today for my mail drop. If I didn't make it in time I would have to hitch back on monday to pick up the drop.   I had my maps in there for this next section I had to pick it up.   I tried to get up really early and make it the 22 miles before noon. I didn't want to get up that early.   I kinda gave up on the idea and just started to plan on hitching back for it on Monday.I got up to Pen Mar park on the PA/Maryland state line.   It was a nice moring. There were people setting up for a wedding taking place that afternoon.   I made my way to the restroom for water and to wash up a little.   I saw the soda machine was not working that was a bummer.   I was looking forward to some Mtn. Dews to start off my day.   There was a little boy playing in the playground with his father.   Not many other people around. Nice way to enjoy the park.After cleaning up I had my bagel and peanut butter with some grape gator ade. Nice breakfast!!   I wish I had some Mtn. Dew instead.   The man and his son came over to talk with me.   He ended up offering to drive me over to South Mountian and back so I could get my mail drop today and not have to worry about it on monday. Sweet!!   Thank god I cleaned up in the bathroom before getting into the pickup.   It took us about half an hour to drive over there but I got my package.   We stopped at the store so I could get a few mtn dews!!! The man on the other hand bought his 3 year old son chew.   I have no idea why someone would think it is a good idea to give a 3 year old chew but I didn't want to say anything.   On the way back to Pen Mar park the guy looks over at me and says "I'm sure my wife is going to give me hell for that one." I replied "Oh I know she is." I got dropped off back at the park. The man and his sons went back home to deal with the wife.   I found the 2 section hikers I was camped with the last 2 nights and told them that story. I am happy to have gotten the ride.   And people wonder how I can come up with so many stories about nothing at all.   Now I am all Mtn Dewed out I'm ready to move again. I was planning on returning to South Mtn later in the day for dinner. I had to make it by 7:30 to order something from the grill in the general store. I wasn't carrying much food on me at this point. I was trying to keep a really light load for the high mileage I was doing this week.   I just went into somewhere everyday to get lunch and dinner.   It was great not to have to carry food. And I got to pick my breakfast the night before so I ate really good.   I hauled butt all afternoon and made it to South Mtn by 6:00.   I had a cheese burger and soda for my lunch while I was there.   Then I ordered a whole chicken Parm sub for my dinner when I got into camp.   I also grabbed breakfast and some snacks for tomorrow.   I got cheese & rasberrry danish and cholate cupcakes for breakfast.   Also got a couple of mtn. dews for tomorrow.   I hiked the last 2 miles of my day into camp.   I made it just in time to miss the rain.   Southern Pennsylvania's shelter all are twin shelters. So each camp has 2 shelters that sleep about 4 people each. I had my own shelter that night. There was another younger couple in camp with me.   They had the other shelter.   It was an early night. I hiked another 26 mile day with my walk into town.   I'm only planning on 20 miles tomorrow.   My legs and feet are start to feel the mileage.   I think I'm catching up to Poptart.   I started about 4 days behind him only 4 days ago. I think I can catch him in another couple of days.   This should be fun.