Date: 2003-06-30
From: Pen Mar - Boiling Springs, PA

To: Pen Mar - Boiling Springs, PA
Miles today: 57.5

Pen Mar - Boiling Springs, PA57.5 miles (1105.9 total miles)We hung around Pen Mar Park for a good 5 hours on day 87. It was so hot, and it felt good to just lay around. A local kid named Angus followed us around all day, stealing my hiking stick, and generally being as annoying as possible. We ordered some food from the pay phone, and the delivery lady brought everyone's order except mine. Everyone ate their delicious meals, while I waited for her to return with my meal. She never did. When I called the restaurant, they said their oven was broken, and couldn't cook any more. I was so hungry! Willow took pity on me, and cooked me some rice. It wasn't a sub, but it was a hot meal.We left the park at about 6:00 to do 5 evening miles to the shelter. We immediately passed into Pennsylvania. It was the Mason Dixon line. We were in the north! This marked the line where soda refills are no longer free. This also marked the spot where people stop saying AppaLATCHian Trail, and start saying AppaLAYSHian Trail. That made me happy. The shelter was surprisngly uncrowded. Where did all the huge crowds go? It seemed like the trail was thinning out.We were scheduled for 16 miles on day 88. The trail once again was real nice, but it was hot early on. My new boots still weren't completely broken in, and my feet hurt. All the rocks certainly didn't help. It was one of those days that I wasn't hiking to enjoy the hike, I was hiking to get to a destination - Caledonia State Park.At 13 miles on the day, we hit the park. We immediately headed for the snack bar for cheeseburgers and fries. It was overpriced, but tasted fabulous. The man at the ticket booth let me take a shower for free. I lounged around for the rest of the afternoon at a picnic table under some shade trees. It was a nice evening. Less than 3 miles brought us to the shelter for the night. For some reason, I was the last one out on day 89. I was getting out of my tent when even Last Minute passed by. I left at 8:30. It was the perfect hiking day. The sun was out, and it was cool. I felt like I was in the north, as I saw plenty of toads and pine needles. I stopped at a shelter, where there were a few PATC volunteers fixing up the shelter. I felt honored that they were working for me, the thru hiker. Thanks to all the volunteers!I did my 17 miles by 3:30, trying to catch Slaughter before she left. I also had to attempt the half gallon challenge. I failed miserably. There must have been 15 thru hikers that ate a half gallon of ice cream, while Sundance and I were the only ones who couldn't. I didn't even come close. It was just way too sweet. I stopped early and washed it down with Pringles and french fries. I failed the challenge, but I was the only thru hiker not feeling sick that night.There were 8 of us who went to camp at the state park, but there was no room left. Last Minute talked to the rangers for a while, and convinced them to rent us an "organized group" site. There was a group of girl scouts next to us who gave us their leftover chicken, pasta, and veggies. It was so tasty. We sat around the campfire until late in the evening.We took a long rest on day 90. It was hot again, so we sat around the camp store. We said goodbye to Slaughter, and had a peaceful day. We hiked out 7.7 miles starting at 5:30, when it started to get cool again. It was very easy and quick miles. I was asleep by 9:00.Day 91 was another hot one. I got up a little later than I would have wanted to. There was a convenience store at 1.5 miles, which provided a good breakfast. It was very hot. I had only 11 miles scheduled, but they were long. The trail headed up over some rock formations. There were times when there was an easy slope around a boulder pile, but the trail would go right up and over. It was obvious the trail builders had a sense of humor.At about 3:00, the trail came down into a cornfield. It was so hot, and the trail was uncovered. But at least it was flat and without rocks. Two miles brought me to a field for camping set up by the ATC. I pitched my tent, and wandered into the quaint town of Boiling Springs for dinner. The last week of sunshine has been sometimes oppressively hot, but it has served as a great cleansing for my rainy day morale.It is hard to see my friends leave the trail. In the last week I have seen 5 friends leave. But it was particularly sad to see Slaughter leave. We'll never forget her for teasing me, insulting me, glaring at me, calling me names, and throwing things at me. But most of all, her legacy will live on because of her excellent trail mix, affectionately known as Slaughter-Ohs. Seriously, we'll miss you Slaughter. Best of luck to you in your future plans.