Date: 2008-07-05
From: Ensign Cowall Shelter

To: Deer Lick Shelters
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: haze

Woke up to the sound of rain on the shelter roof. Well that takes the guess work out of what the weather will be like?After breakfast, I put on the same wet clothes from yesterday. Everthing is wet to include socks & boots.The trail was rainy, rocky and slow. After about 10 miles, the rain stopped and the sun would poke through every now & then. The trail eased a bit and we entered Pen Mar County Park. Upon noticing a pavillion, playground and restrooms the antenas went up. My eyes were scanning the horizon for a pop machine. Bingo! The excitement was short lived, as the machine was broken.A caretaker of the adjoinging park museum, took pity on us, and gave us each a cold pepsi from his persoanl stash. Thanks Ralph!In conversation, the subject of food came up as it always seemes to. He pointed over to a counter that had a menu from a local sub/pizza shop that delivers.You could see the lightbulbs above everyones head turn on. Seconds later we were on the phone ordering lunch and trail take-out for afterward. While waiting, we found a patch of open grass and spread every last piece of gear out to dry. Frodo & Caboose were there as well playing with their pup. This dog was born for the trail. It's the only life it has come to know.One half hour later, I'm eating pizza, with a sub on the side. Ahh, life's little pleasures. This little break turned into 3-1/2 hours. There was a wedding reception taking place in a nearby pavillion. We met several people, and were asked all kinds of Thru-hiking questions and received many well wishes.With everything now dry, it was time to get moving again. We still have miles to go before the day is done. Along the way, we crossed the Mason/Dixon line. Congrats everyone, we have now left Maryland and have crossed into the 7th state of Pennsylvania. We were soon greeted with thunder as it started rolling in closer. I couldn't help but think how lucky we were, to have been able to enjoy that window of good weather and fortune earlier?What a great day, milestones, pizza and all. Along the way we met a section hiker named "Foot". He caught my eye right away, as it appearred he was wearing pillows tied to his boots? Closer inspection revealed his new invention that he was testing on the unforgiving rocks of Pennsylvania.This was white felt covering the soles and lashed across the boot. The purpose I was told was to improve traction and save the life of the boot? Hmmm...?I can guess what you're probably thingking? However, when a guy puts his heart & soul into something, backs it with his own money and has the "stones" to face any and all criticism, then more power to him! "Foot" just added to the cast of wonderful characters out here hiking the AT.It was looking more & more like rain, so after 5 miles we came upon the double shelters of Deer Lick Shelters. I have never seen two together before.Camping a short distance away, was a group of teenage girls with counselors. At first, I thought they were Girl Scouts. So taking a chance, I approached them hoping to score some cookies. Sprite & Freckles were with me to help break the ice. They were amused at my request, as it turned out, these were not Girl Scouts, in fact far from it. These were young girls doing a wilderness adventure in lieu of jail and other punishment for their assorted crimes & misdeeds. This experience may help a few of them, although they all seemed salvagable. I wish them all well. I give a lot of credit to their counselors as well. My oldest daughter Jeannette does similar work, it takes a special kind of person for this. Despite learning all of this, I was still not ready to give up, I asked the counselors "So, does this mean you have cookies....or not"?Back at one of the small shelters, I preparred my dinner after enjoying the sub I had ordered early. Out of nowhere appeared this scrawny, death warmed over, excuse for a cat. I honestly, didn't think it would last the night.It seemed everyone else felt the same. So little pieces of this & that and other unwanted crumbs were thrown it's way.Well since there's no cookies, I guess I'll call it a night.