Date: 2017-06-25
From: Dicks Dome Shelter Tent Site

To: Sam Moore Shelter Tent Site 
Miles today: 15.3

6/25Dicks Dome Shelter Tent Site to Sam Moore Shelter Tent Site 15.3 miles Total miles:  1,000.2I seemed excessively tired last night and slept heavier than usual. I even had an unpleasant dream but don't remember it. I woke up at 5:30, realized there was no big hurry today, and went back to sleep until 6:30.  A rare occurrence for this early riser. We didn't get on the trail until 8:30. Like yesterday, the goal was a bit over fifteen miles, with no deadline to get into camp.  The morning hike was uneventful.  I thought there might be views hiking through Sky Meadows State Park,  but the trail consisted mostly of well trimmed brush and some woods.  It was a pleasant walk, and I did see a doe on the trail.  She observed me for a moment as I came into sight around a curve before bounding into a thicket and immediately disappearing from my sight. While in the park, I met Helena and Art, two very friendly people from the area.  They are avid hikers, bikers, and homebrewers. We had a lively discussion about hiking in general as well as long distance hiking.  They enjoy going to Europe and hiking hotel to hotel or pub to pub.  My family and I have discussed doing this someday during a visit to see my son and his family, but we will want to wait until little Rose is old enough to remember the excursion.  Helena and Art filled me in a bit about the upcoming Roller Coaster, and enthusiastically recommended that we stop at the Bears Den Hostel, located near the end of the Roller Coaster, for lunch and ice cream. Based on their recommendation, Gravity and I will make a side trip there tomorrow.  I had a great visit with two very active and personable people.  Thanks!  I enjoy taking side trails to see interesting sights, so I decided to diverge from the AT to go see the Myron Glaser Cabin. After a steep 0.2 mile walk, I came upon the cabin to find it rented out to a family with a loud, although probably friendly, dog.  I took a.quick photo and departed.  Gravity caught up with me near the Rod Hollow Shelter, and we ate lunch prior to entering the Roller Coaster.  There is a sign on a tree as you enter the Roller Coaster, and some  jester added the caveat that you must be so tall to ride.  Fortunately, I made the grade. The Roller Coaster is indeed challenging, consisting of a series of seven very steep ascents and descents.  It's a fun concept and makes for some difficult hiking, and it is definitely a challenging and rewarding experience to "ride" the Roller Coaster.  Several miles into the Roller Coaster, I came across a very significant sign made of sticks alongside the trail: 1,000 miles.  There is a song whose lyrics go something like, "I have walked 500 miles and I will walk 500 more." Well, I have now done that and find myself close to halfway done with my thru hike adventure.  It has been a phenomenal experience so far, and I see no reason why it won't continue to be so as I continue.  Helena and Art asked me what was my favorite part of the trail, and I told them it is all of the wonderful people I continue to meet, both on and off the trail. As I near the halfway point, I can look back on the fun times I have already had  and look forward to new adventures in the future.  For now, it's time to sleep. The rest of the Roller Coaster, as well as Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream at the Bears Den, await me tomorrow.