Date: 2018-05-06
From: Pen Mar Rd Rouzerville PA

To: Tumbling Run Shelter
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: broken clouds

I woke early around 5am. A bitter sweet day it will be. I get to return to the trail but I have to say goodbye to the love of my life for a few weeks. We showered, packed up and headed to the lobby for breakfast and to meet Ambassador. Bite Me and River were there to join us for breakfast and see us off. It was a very nice surprise and very sweet. We are all very supportive of each other. We arrived at the trailhead around 9:30 and Ambassador went in to finish up the small piece she missed the day before, just a few hundred feet and to sign the hiker log. I had a moment alone with Brian to say goodbye and give him a hug and kiss. Ambassador came out to the road followed by a nobo from GA "Wobbles" who was traveling fast and light. We all exchanged greetings and it was time to go. I crossed the road and up onto the trail and I didn't look back because I didn't want it to be harder than it was. I'll miss Brian terribly at times, I know this. But he's so loving and supportive and it makes me very comfortable out here knowing that. The initial section of trail climbed up the ridge with switchbacks, steep and steady. There were several road crossings and at each one Brian wasn't there as he had been when he slack packed me. It will be fun to do that again with him! I stopped to care for my feet as I had promised myself about once every 1-2 hours. Around 11:30 it started raining lightly. My pack was covered but I opted not to put on rain gear at that time. It was a light rain and it felt good. The rain eventually picked up in intensity and I was soaked. I stopped at Deer Lick shelters about 5 miles in. I changed out of my wet shirt and into my fleece and put on my rain kilt and jacket and my hat. I stayed a few, tending to feet and debating if I should stay. The grounds were covered in mud all around the shelter and it was uninviting to me. I hadn't seen Ambassador so I decided to continue on. Another 2.5 miles in I came to Antietam shelter. It also was close to the trail and looked uninviting, with some charred logs leaning on the fire pit and it was situated with lots of flowing water around it. I passed by without stopping and came upon Old Forge picnic area. The rain has mostly stopped now and the park was empty and beautiful. I stopped at the covered pavilion for more foot care, lunch and to use the privy. The entire place was very pleasant and I would have enjoyed it longer on a sunny day. It had that nap on a blanket under the trees feeling to it....just not in the rain. I disposed of my trash and went for water which is listed in the guide book and on Guthooks, but there was none. The sign is still on the building stating water is available year round but the pipe has been removed. As I was departing Ambassador was arriving. Another mile up the trail and right on the trail I was finally rewarded with Tumbling Run Shelter. I can't say enough positive about this shelter or it's caretaker. Simply amazing. The cleanest privy I've seen and stocked with TP and sanitizer. Covered pavilion as well as open table both with metal on the ends for use of your stove, clotheslines, fabulous tent sites and lovely spring. The shelters are named snoring and non-snoring! I didn't want to set up my tent in the rain so I chose the non snoring shelter. There was also a chance of T-storms. I'd feel better in the shelter, which at this point I had to myself. Ambassador arrived and chose a tent site. 2 hikers arrived not long after. Cool and Cats. Cool Cats. Nice guys, very friendly and hiking together. They met 4 days ago in Harper's Ferry and hit it off. It happens sometimes, and they both like having a hiking partner. The 4 of us enjoyed dinner and conversation about leave no trace practice (LNT) regarding fruit peels and other biodegradable things. We retired early but sleep didn't come easy. My sleeping pad could wake a mummy!! I turn a lot and every time I move this Thermarest NeoAir wakes me and anyone near me up. By 2am I'm guessing Cats wishes he'd slept in the snoring shelter with Cool. Cool admittedly snores by I can't imagine it's as loud as my sleeping pad. I contemplated trying to sneak out of camp early by headlamp and putting distance between us so I wouldn't have to face him in the daylight but I decided to suck up the embarrassment. Despite the rain, my noisy sleeping arrangements and having to part with my wonderful husband it was still a great trail day. The miles were good to me!