Date: 2016-07-07
From: camp after shelter

To: ...
Miles today: 18.0

Day 87- July 7, 2016We woke up on time this morning as all of the rest of the people at the camping area still had not stirred. As we climbed out of our tent to get our wet clothes from yesterday's sweat, Nemo came flying by hiking at his typical break neck speed. We had thought the eccentric man was far in front of us, but knowing he had a thing for staying in towns, we weren't that surprised. He recognized us and excitedly greeted us and briskly continued on. After the unexpected encounter, we packed up and readied our gear as to make it possible for me to hike my pace all day and get to camp with the ability to set up the full tent and have clean water. That involved swapping some clothes and the cook set for the tents rain fly and some iodine tablets. People started to wake up and by the time most people were up, we were ready to go. Dregs and I took off together despite our plan to hike separately. It was great getting to hike with him alone, not that trooper is bad company, but we were able to joke and laugh in a way that isn't shared with others, just between us. I have missed being a duo rather than a trio and this morning reminded me of the awesome way we are together. As we hiked, we came to a bench before a road and bridge that had a cooler sitting on it. I immediately guessed it would be empty or full of trash, but it was worth looking anyway. Inside was two ice cold cherry Pepsi's and an orange crush left. Dregs and I promptly drank the pepsi's and texted trooper to tell him about the last soda. As we continued on up the trail, we reached an intersection between the trail and a road with a small parking lot. In the parking lot, there was an older couple set up under a tent with tons of food and drinks. We sat with some other hikers, including Norway, and ate ham and pancakes. Second round of food was a queso blanco broccoli cheddar pasta dish that was incredible. We ate two bowls of that and trooper finally caught up with us. We each had a few sodas and cookies as well as grabbed some water, ziplock bags, and got a charge on our phones. It was great and the people hosting it were super sweet. After about an hour there, we decided to keep hiking. We made it to the 501 shelter that had a cold shower that still felt amazing. After rinsing off all of the salt that incrusted us, Nemo showed up. He must have took a long break somewhere for us to get a head of him but who knows what happened. He chatted with us for a bit and told us that he took about two weeks off the trail as well as some how pulling a 54 mile day at one point. That is a ridiculous amount of miles to hike in one day... Anyhow, we left the shelter, dregs, myself and trooper, and started making plans to see finding dory in the next town we come to. PA got very rocky and it caused me to roll my ankle and strain my shin splint. It was a rough last few miles but we made it to a campsite where little bear, ten bear, sukie, false top and charge all also ended up. Pace passed by and we chatted with him before he moved on and then we all ate dinner around a fire that trooper set up. It was a good 18 mile day but I'm glad to be going to bed.