Date: 2004-07-06
From: Ensign Cowall Shelter

To: Tumbling Run Shelter
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: scattered clouds

I left the shelter about 7:00am this morning and motored to the spring 2 miles up the trail for water. Frank caught up there. We took the side trail to Raven Rock Cliff for another great view of the valley to the west of the trail and the mountain range in the distance. The cliff has a metal shelf attached that a local explained is used as a launch platform for hang gliders. That first step must bring your heart into your throat.From there we hustled on to Pen-Mar Park, drawn by the promise of vending machines. We had two cold Pepsi colas each with our lunches on another beautiful day, watching people enjoy this very fine park. I used the pay phone for journal updates and a call home.Just north of the park we hiked out of MD and into PA, crossing the Mason Dixon line. I can't say "y'all" anymore until I'm safely back across the line. Kudos to the trail in MD and to the very nice state facilities. The trail was reasonably graded, there were great views, the state provides hot showers at the Dahlgren Backpack Campsite, and the state parks are very nice.We made a short stop at the Deer Lick shelter to read the shelter journal then moved on to the Old Forge Picnic Ground where we picked up some "free" water from a faucet there. Frank went looking for a drink machine and instead found the dining facility for a Methodist center. He tried to manuever the kitchen staff into offering us a meal but it didn't work. Their hearts are hardened to the plight of hungry thruhikers. Nothing else to do but press on to the Tumbling Run shelter.When we arrived we discovered a group of kids from a summer camp already there. Fortunately the weather was good and they were planning to sleep under their big tarps. Frank helped the counselors get one of their stoves going and they offered us any mac and cheese that was left after the kida were fed. Frank declined but I said yes. I'm traveling without a stove and am not inclined to turn down a hot meal.I went off to clean up and wash out some clothes, and when I returned Frank told me that the mac and cheese dinner bell had rung. I went down with my cup and spoon only to discover that the leftovers had been tossed in the trash 5 minutes before. What were they thinking? The mac and cheese was right at the top of the bag and still looked edible, but I couldn't bring myself to set such an example for the kids. Back into my food bag for a dinner of cheese, jerky and crackers.As we were eating, one of the counselors named Hadrah came up to talk. She is over for a few weeks from Israel (Tel Aviv). We had an interesting conversation. She's finished her mandatory military service (18 months for women, 24 for men) and will start college when she returns. She's stopping for a week each in New Orleans and Miami on her way home. I guess Frank and I were a welcome diversion from the group of kids.Eric, Jesse and Keytone came in later. I last saw Keytone on the disastrous night at the Four Pines Hostel when no one got any sleep. His family is in New Orleans. I told him that he should have been here earlier; he could have offered to be a tour guide for Hadrah for a week.My legs felt much stronger today although they're still tired after 17 miles.