Date: 2019-06-28
From: Stealth Site - 1081.5

To: Ironmasters Mansion Hotel
Miles today: 22.6
Weather: few clouds

I slept great last night in spite of the heat and humidity. I was stealth and all alone so it was very quiet. It also helped that I was exhausted from all of the heat and humidity. I saw one hiker pass going northbound as I was packing.There was a city park about 5 miles in. Just before the park someone had left two bananas on the foot bridge, I had one. I stopped at the park and bought a Pepsi from the vending machine. I used the clean, indoor plumbing, washrooms and loaded water at the drinking fountain. I was going to buy a Powerade but I only had 5s and 20s and 1.25 in quarters. Powerade was 1.50. There is a nice pool at the park and they offer a shower and pool use for $6 but, they open at 1100 and it was 900. I continued. I got to the first shelter and it was beautiful. There were flowers and hanging baskets. There was a glider I sat in and could have taken a nap in but, no nap today. I was in a ¢funk¢ the last two days and I am now out of it. Today was supposed to be hotter than yesterday. I didn¢t feel it, maybe it¢s because there was a breeze. It was still hot and I was still dripping sweat. Someone had been writing messages on the trail in the dirt, made out of rocks, and made out of pinecones.-your loved!-you can do it¢¤  -smile-radiate truthI went through an area that had been forested. Wow, they just come through and clear what they want and tear up the land and the remaining trees are all beat up. The only positive I saw was two deer in the area. I was trying to do 22+/- miles and it was getting hot and I was getting a little tired. I hit a Trail Magic just as the guy was setting up. I had a Coke, watermelon, Fritos, Gatorade, Little Debbie oatmeal cream pie, and a York peppermint patty. It hit the spot and It carried me through to Ironmasters Mansion Hostel. For $35 you get a bunk, shower, laundry, dinner, breakfast, and linens.I headed for the general store and the 1/2 gallon ice cream challenge. You have to complete a quart and a pint of ice cream in one sitting. I talked to a few other hikers who attempted and failed. I am an ice cream junkie! I chose Butter Pecan for my quart. About 1/2 way through I wasn¢t sure but got a second wind. I finished the quart and got Cherry Delight for my pint. I killed that in no time. My reward-I got a tiny wooden spoon that is stamped with ¢Member of Half Gal Club¢. I also got to write my name in a book. About 1-1/2 hours later I ate a whole Tombstone pizza. I showered and got my laundry in line. The hostel is nice and the crowd is nice too. Accomplishments today:-Mathematical 1/2 way point mile 1096-1100 mile mark, another 100 done.-1/2 gallon of ice cream killed. So I was walking along looking for the 1/2 way mark. Every 100 miles has been marked, and most of those multiple times. I passed 1096 and there was nothing! I continued and finally found a sign, it said ¢official 2018 half way point¢ There was also a 1/2 made of stone. Ok? Where is the 2019? I then found a more formal 1/2 way marker and a sign in book. The sign said 1090.5 to Springer or Katadhin. The half way is 1096 this year. The trail total mileage changes every year so the midpoint changes every year. I took a picture and signed the book.People I saw today: Cowboy, Sherpa, Hiccup. Some of the people I met today: Lucky Charm, Juke Box, Shake Down, Country Roads, and a few others. Wildlife update: 2 deer.