Date: 2003-06-03
From: US 30 Fayetteville PA Rite Spot Motel

To: Pine Grove Furnace SP Ironmasters Hostel
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: light rain

Day 82 Avg Mls/Day 13.2Weather: Rainy, cold miserable day. Hiked in steady downpour most of the day. Having said that, I'll still take this over humid 90 degree days...if they come.Today's Nature: Got stopped by a big black snake in the middle of the trail. He wouldn't move, even after I threw sticks and rocks at him. Used my poles to distract him while I walked around.Well, I'm a little ticked off but am getting over it. I hiked 20 miles in the rain (4 miles past the shelter I had planned to stop at) to get to the halfway point...Pine Grove Furnace State Park. The hostel was supposed to open at 5 p.m. Tapeworm, Earl, Lucky, Cosmo, Magnolia and I had to wait until 7 for the host to open up. Earl, Tapeworm and I were waiting since 5. The thing was the host was inside napping. We rang the door bell and banged on the door many times. So there was 2 hours of doing chores and getting cleaned up down the drain. So, keep that in mind as your reading this if I'm not my usual jovial self.Well, let's start at the beginning. Got up at 6 and had pancakes at the restaurant down the road. When I didn't get an immediate hitch I knocked on the innkeeper's door...he said he'd take me to the Trail for $2. It took him awhile to get going. I was on the Trail, hiking through Caledonia State Park by 7:30.Hiked up a nice hill and a couple of miles to Quarry Gap Shelters. I signed the register as some hikers were still asleep inside. They must have heard me as out comes Lady Walks Alot (Formerly Housewife) and Camelleon. Lady Walks Alot was in the group I had dinner with in Front Royal. Camelleon and I had lunch together way back at NOC and have crossed paths a couple of times since then. We chatted for awhile...all looking to make Pine Grove Furnace.A mile or so down the Trail I met "Innkeeper" Jim Stauch doing trail majic. I had a 2nd breakfast of OJ, fresh fruit and an egg mcmuffin sandwich. He is the Trail and Shelter Overseer for the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club. He is one of the reasons the last shelter was one of the nicest on the Trail, in immaculate shape. Thanks again Jim for your hard work and hospitality. It is much appreciated.Just as I had left Quarry Gap it started to rain. I first used my new lite rain parka but changed into my Walmart emergeny parka at Jim's stop. Although it quit raining for an hour, it came back hard and continued on through the evening. It is supposed to stop in the morning sometime...we'll see.Camelleon caught me at Milesburn Cabin and I him later at Birch Run Shelters. BTW, a new shelter is under construction here. There, I met SOBO sectoiner "X". We chatted a few minutes and I hiked on. The rest of the day was hiking alone in the cold steady rain. My feet were wet and it was a little chilly when I stopped at Toms Run Shelters for a snack.I haven't mentioned that Pine Grove Furnace is the halfway point on the Trail. The tradition is you buy and eat a half gallon of ice cream upon arrival...and you are made an official member of "the half gallon club." As I was walking in the chilly rain I swore I wasn't going to eat cold ice cream just because it was tradition.When I got to the store Camelleon was sitting inside talking to another thru-hiker, Earl. Earl had just finished his half gallon. Camelleon said he was going to do it later. I don't know why, but I bought a half gallon of Cherries Jubilee and started eating. Camelleon then went for Mint. I used a coke to help wash mine down. In less than an hour I was done and not feeling too bad. They gave me a wooden ice cream spoon with the words, "Member of the half gallon club" on it. That was my supper.I was through with the ice cream by 5 and went to the hostel next door with Earl. Hence, the ordeal I spoke of in the beginning of having to wait outside until the guy finally opened up after 7. About 6 this young lady comes hiking up the Trail in front of the hostel. She yells, "Hey Skeemer!"...It's Melissa from a month back. We had hiked together when she was trying to find Roger and another time with John from Barrington RI. Her Trail name is now Magnolia. It was great to see her as I heard she had gotten sick in Erwin. So, the great thing about today is I now have fewer miles to Katahdin than I've hiked from Springer...I am over half way there. I'm beginning to think I may make it.Thought for the Day: Who'll Stop The Rain?...(song by Credence Clearwater Revival)