Date: 2007-06-20
From: QUARRY GAP SHELTER

To: IRONMASTERS MANSION HOSTEL
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: few clouds

From: Quarry Gap SheltersTo: Ironmasters Mansion HostelToday Miles: 17.3Total Miles:1087.9Calamity and I were out walking at 7:15 and Brew was still eating his breakfast . It had rained again in the night so the morning was cloudy and cool, perfect for hiking. It of course started out up for the third day in a row. The morning passed quickly and Brew caught up with us just before the Birch Run Shelter. We all stopped there for a break. The trail went through some pine forest and made for some soft foot walking. We seemed to have gotten through the caterpillar devastation I hope. The rocks appeared in the afternoon but I am trying to get so I can still hike a certain pace on them.In the morning, we did not see any other hikers on the trail but the afternoon brought a herd of them. We saw a large group of young men resting at the site of the ruins of an old building. We passed a father and young son backpacking. One group looked like a family and as we passed by one of the guys said, "I know you." He had read my trail journal. A little creepy! Then we passed a large group of girls out camping. I think that is good to see all these young girls out backpacking.Today was a red letter day as we passed the midpoint of the AT today. At mile 1087.0 we were half way to the big "K." We hiked 17.3 miles by 3:00 PM today. I was very pleased with that fact! At the Pine Grove Furnace State Park there is a camp store where you are suppose to take the half gallon challenge: eat a half gallon of ice cream in a half hour at the half way mark. When we arrived Blue was stretched out on the bench after his half gallon, Ishmel and Thunder were also digesting their ice cream. They had all completed the challenge. Brew, Calamity and I purchased our ice cream and started in. Calamity and I ate about one third and Brew about half of his and then we decided it was not worth feeling awful over and we all stopped short of meeting the challenge but we also were okay with that fact. There also was this group of six women who met through various ads for hiking partners and are out doing all of Pennsylvania! That is a pretty good section of trail.The three men left to hike on to the next shelter and Brew, Calamity and I started to walk down to the camp ground to stay for the night. We walked about 200 yards and could still see the road that led to the camp ground and looked like it was a long way away. We then turned around to go back to the office to see if there was closer place to camp but it was closed. So we walked up to the hostel and decided to stay here. It is right on the trail and Brew could do work for stay. So here I sit showered, full, and with clean cloths again. The three of us had a great celebration tonight to make this day special for us. We had cheeseburgers, French fires and Gatorade and talked about our most memorable times and people we have had and met on the Trail so far. Mine were crossing the Georgia border with Calamity, Beach Bum, Micro, Duckwalk, and the Colonel. Breaking my nose the first day in the Smokey Mountains, spending the night in the Overmountain Shelter in the wind and snow, walking ! Into Hot Springs, Damascus, and Harper's Ferry and now the half way mark. And maybe 100 more things I could name. The first half has been a wonderful but hard adventure, and I look forward to many more exciting events in the next 1087.0 miles!