Day 82 - 6/05

Daily mileage: 18.8
Total trail mileage: 1094.3 (approx)
Starting location: Quarry Gap Shelters
Ending location: After Pine Grove Furnace State Park
Weather: 64 degrees in the morning, 73-76 degrees during the day.
Cloudy and drizzling in the morning. Mostly cloudy in the early
afternoon. Cloudy and raining in the late afternoon and on

I am at
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=40.030242,+-77.287316

I redeemed myself! The Half Gallon Challenge was a breeze. I ate a
half gallon of Hersheys Cookies and Cream ice cream, but I wasn't
timing myself like some other people. The first 3/4 went down easy,
but I was slowing down on the last quarter. And then, after a short
break I ate a cheeseburger and fries. Mmm :). I wasn't feeling sick
at all and walking after it wasn't a big deal.

That also means I am now 50% done with the trail! Over 1089.55 miles
done and less than 1089.55 miles left. I can't believe I have walked
that distance.

I woke up this morning and found that the Outward Bounders left me 3
blocks of cheese. That will have to wait until tomorrow. I already
have had enough dairy for the day.

The hike this morning was easy. I was making really good time all
morning until I got to Pine Grove. At Pine Grove Furnace State Park
(the site of the Half Gallon Challenge) they were having the grand
opening of the AT Museum. That entailed a bunch of speakers and a BBQ
and everything. By the time I got there I had missed the main events
but was still able to go in the museum. There were a ton of people
there and I hung around for a long time talking to current thruhikers,
past thruhikers, section hikers, and people interested about the trail.

I think I found my new group of thruhikers. I am surprised, I was
expecting to come back to huge groups of people, but there really
haven't been too many. DC (who I had known from before), Cornpipe,
Panther, Ridley, and Merf were all at the State Park. Major Chafage
is just ahead and Chewie is just behind. I think those are the only
thruhikers I have seen since I left Harpers Ferry.

I can't believe I am actually saying this, but so far I like PA. The
hike has been pleasant so far and the rocks haven't been too bad
(yet). Maryland was much worse in sections.

Now I am at a campsite with a section hiker from Israel. He had
thruhiked the AT and PCT in the past, but is only out for a month and
a half this time. I am in my hammock as the rain is pouring down.
Let it rain so it clears up by morning!