Past the Halfway Point

Stats: Monday night 6/13, MM 1129.0

(106.8 new miles, 1137.8 total miles)

Made it to the halfway point this week! Camped with boy scouts, great time with friends and family, and, NO rain at all.

Monday and Tuesday (6/6 and 6/7), helped Mary with a few things around the house. I’m so thankful she’s there to handle everything while I’m gone, so I was glad to help her for a few days. Also enjoyed the time with Mary’s parents, sleeping in my own bed, and seeing The Boys (Bootsie, Smokie and Zach).

Bridge over the Shenandoah River

Wednesday Moondog and I hiked 17 miles, starting at Harpers Ferry and going into Maryland. Would like to go back to Harpers Ferry and see all the history once I get home. In Harpers Ferry, I also checked in with the Appalachian Trail Conservatory (ATC) as the 516^th thru hiker this year. Had my picture taken and signed the log book.

For 3 miles we hiked along the C&O canal, flat and easy hike. Horses walked on that path pulling barges on the canal. My brother-in-law Tim picked us up near Boonsboro, Maryland. Tim asked us if we wanted to go anywhere, he took us to the store for resupply and then to Antietam Battlefield, neat to see. We went out to dinner, then visited with my sister-in-law and two nephews. The next morning Donna made us a big breakfast, really good, then we were ready to go back out to the trail.

one of many signs at the Washington Monument

Washington Monument in Boonsboro, MD

View from the top

Thursday hiked another 17 miles to where our friend Frank picked us up for another night of great food and fun (and laundry). Spent the evening and had a really good dinner with Frank and Carol, Carol’s son Jason with his 3 kids, Carol’s mother, daughter Linnet. Another great breakfast and we were back on the trail Friday.

Bridge over I70 in Maryland

This ended my 8-day streak of sleeping in beds, including the hostel, not once did my tent come out of the pack (Sammie). It was quite a blessing to have all the hospitality for me and Moondog.

Crossing into Pennsylvania, 6 states down 8 to go

Friday we hiked another 17 miles into Pennsylvania. With Maryland completed, I finished 6 states, 8 to go. Felt tired on Friday, probably b/c of all the great food we’d been eating. Nice weather. Met the caretakers of Tumbling Run shelter, where we stayed.

One of many interesting signs we see along the trail

In PA, each shelter has caretakers who maintain the shelter. As a result, they are some of the best shelters we’ve seen so far. Two shelters at this site, one for snoring and one for not snoring. Toilet paper and hand sanitizer in the privy. Peat gravel where we put the tents, which was very nice. Trail was rocky off and on, we’d heard that PA was rocky but not too bad…yet.

Saturday, we hiked 19 miles to Birch Run shelter. Got to Caledonia State Park, wow was it nice! Later in the day we came up to trail magic and had sloppy joes and lemonade, and CHAIRS! We all sat down for a rest and enjoyed the food. Many day hikers out, including a troop of 20 boy scouts who stayed at our campground, and other weekend hikers at the campsite. Met two guys from PA who were out on a section hike (hiking only part of the AT) and ate dinner with them.

Sunday we hit the halfway mark at milepoint 1094.5, actually saw 3 mid-point signs as the trail mileage has changed slightly over the years when the trail has been re-routed for some reason. We visited an AT museum; the ATC has offices in several cities along the trail.

"real" halfway point

prior halfway point

in the museum, used to measure distance

At the halfway point they have what’s called the ½ gallon challenge: eat a half gallon of ice cream, and get a small wooden spoon. I didn’t want to feel crappy so I got a hiker burger instead: bacon and egg on a burger. After I got done I felt bad anyway, realized I may have been better off with the ice cream. Maybe next time.

There was also a contest to see how fast you could eat a whole gallon of ice cream. The previous record was 48 minutes. A thin hiker named Legs smashed that record by finishing a gallon in 28 minutes. I witnessed history that day.

the new record holder!

We planned to hike 18 miles to a shelter, but both of us missed the sign. So we ended up hiking 21 miles to a campsite for another big day. Met up with 2 guys from Germany, Rambeau and Dreamcatcher, and their friend Cousteau. All stayed at the campsite. Hiking was not too bad, rocky off and on.

Monday we crossed large, flat farmland and hiked into Boiling Springs. Had lunch at a café, Moondog was staying in town to do laundry and shower, resupply. I was hiking to meet Mary, we have friends in the area, Frank and Barb, who invited us to stay for a day off. Because it was such a nice day, I hiked 4 extra miles for a total of 17 miles before she picked me up in Carlisle. We went to the foot doctor Tuesday to get orthotics that should help with the foot issues. I’ll keep you posted.

At Frank and Barb’s we had two wonderful dinners again (Monday and Tuesday), and great evenings of fellowship. Frank also fixed us breakfast Tuesday and Wednesday before we headed out. Wednesday morning I was back on the trail, hiking to catch up with Moondog.

This was also the last time I’ll see Mary until she comes north to visit me toward the end of July. I will miss her very much, it’s been nice to see her every week. Frank and Barb’s was also my last “home” visit, I have appreciated every one, thank you all so very much!

One last thing...

People have asked different questions about safety on the trail. All along the AT there are Ridge Runners who patrol the trail for the ATC, helping people in trouble and monitoring trail activity. We've seen them on and off the whole time, it's good to know they are around. In the State Parks (Smoky Mountains and Shenandoah National Park) they also have rangers who patrol the trail. We thru hikers also watch out for each other, and we see many of the same people along the way. So overall it's pretty safe to be out here, alone or with others.

Until next time, happy trails!

Bridge over route 11 in Carlisle, PA