They don't bark and they don't bite
They keep things loose, they keep things light..."
-King Harvest, 'Dancing in the Moonlight'
Miles today: 21.3
Total miles: 1,100.0
Big day today. Time slowed down and I lived about a week worth of life in one day. Got up with the sun and hit the trail around 6:30. Today's hike was absolutely beautiful. I'm loving Pennsylvania's section of the AT. Did a quick 8 miles, then ran into a group that travels together mostly: Jim Bob, Crawdad, Book Bag, and Merry Poppins. Hung out with them for a few, shared San Fran stories with Crawdad, who's also from SF. I'd see them on and off all day.
Sometime mid-morning I ran into Plant Man, who was doing some trail magic - giving free drinks to hikers - at a road crossing with his wife, who'd come out to visit him. Fun way to take a break, sitting in a lawn chair having a beer.
Did another several miles, then had lunch at a shelter with the same group of four from earlier. Headed down the trail with them and took pictures in front of the AT midpoint marker sign. Halfway done with our journey!
Next the five of us hustled another 4 miles down to Pine Grove Furnace state park to face the "Half Gallon Challenge." This is a tradition among thru-hikers whereby once halfway finished with the trail the hiker must eat a half gallon of ice cream. When we arrived several hikers were already there. All people we knew, including Bowser, Boots, 3:10, and Grundlehammer, so it became a party in no time. We went into the store, got our ice cream (mint chocolate chip for me) and dug in. It was a great time, eating ice cream and relaxing on the porch in the hot, humid summer day. Everyone was in great spirits, cracking jokes, telling stories, busting chops, etc. Super-fun group of people. A great afternoon.
It took some time but I polished off that half gallon. And a bottle of root beer. Then I had a cheeseburger. And two mellow yellows. The absurdity of hiker nutrition knows no bounds.
After the afternoon super-meal I had the energy of a thousand suns so I hit the trail to put in another four miles or so. Found a nice flat spot to pitch my tent, hung my food, drank about a gallon of water, and hit the hay. Big day today.
Camping next to the AT about four miles north of Pine Grove Furnace state park.
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