Date: 2015-05-23
From: Birch Run Shelter

To: James Fry Shelter
Miles today: 17.1

5/23, 17.1, James Fry ShelterIt was difficult to get out of my 40 degree sleeping bag this morning into 38 degree temperatures so I crawled out late at 7 am. It was ok since todays plan was only 17 miles allowing an extended visit at the Pine Grove Furnace state park and the AT museum located there. I hiked out at 8 and encountered trails that were relatively flat, but very rocky at times. On the occasion the trail followed a grassy lane or road bed, I even had to watch for stray rocks there. Pennsylvania is sure living up to its nickname, "rocksylvania" and I am told the most difficult part is yet to come. As I neared the state park I encountered three different groups of boy scouts out for the weekend and at least one of the groups was training to go to Philmont, the high country scout adventure camp in the southwest US. The other groups didn't stop to visit but was good to see groups of teens and leaders in the backcountry and reminded me of the times I was privileged to do the same. I hiked into the State Park at 12:15 and settled straight onto a picnic table hosted by trail angel Vicki? where I joined Axon and Shruggs for deli sandwiches, fresh fruit, Apple and Peach pie and maybe the best dill pickle I have had in a while. (It was the first dill pickle I have had in a while). Axon and Shruggs are also faithful trail journals writers so you can follow them there but they are from Quebec and were a very nice couple to meet. As we were visiting Tortoise and Hare hiked in. They knew Axon and Shruggs from earlier so it was fun to listen to them catch up on hikers I have yet to meet. Being off trail for several days I am in a new group of hikers so it will take a few days to meet them as we hike around one another. Later still smasher hiked in which was a surprise to all. He was at least a full week ahead when I took time off but he explained he just returned from 11 days off trail while he attended his sister's college graduation. The state park here is the home of the "half gallon challenge" where a thru hiker is challenged to consume a half gallon of ice cream after which they are awarded a keepsake wooden ice cream spoon to commemorate the accomplishment. Normally I would have been all over this one, but after my days off my appetite is well suppressed so I passed on the challenge. Tortoise and Hare, as well as Smasher took he challenge while I was there. Tortoise finished, then ordered some fries. Hare struggled to finish most of hers, but could not and Smasher was working on his when I said my goodbyes to head for the museum. Axon and Shruggs were planning to stay at the hostel in the park so they were waiting until later to take the challenge. I walked over to the museum which had nice displays covering the history of the trail and included many artifacts from the past. The most interesting display was the lean to shelter which was the last remaining shelter built by Earl Shaffer, the first man to thru hike the trail. It had been disassembled and relocated to the museum where it is part of a display about Shaffer and contains his pack and some of his equipment. Equipment has changed almost as much as the trail, but it is still a good long walk through the woods. I finished at the museum and hike through and out of the park at 2:30. I still had seven miles of rocky trail to cover to get here to the James Fry Shelter. Once I arrived at the shelter I found there was good cell signal so I checked in with Kathy and found her at a graduation party for one of my cousin's kids. It was good to visit with them and see my Dad's sister as well. I look forward to getting back to things like family gatherings and such but for now I will keep hiking on to Katahdin. I have the shelter to myself so far and am pretty sure it will stay that way so I will be in for he night early, and out as soon as I can in the morning. Tomorrow I plan to check out a diner Ironman Bill recommended in Boiling Springs for lunch, and end up in Carlisle for the night. Silverback