Day 95-Would You Look at That!

June 20-9.8 miles-Birch Run Shelter to Pine Grove Furnace (Ironmaster Mansion Hostel)-AT mile 1104.7

Today has been filled with momentous occasions! First, we got more trail magic at a road crossing! 



Yep, an ice cold Coke at 7:45am!

Then, it happened...we hit the halfway point of the Appalachian Trail! 1065.5 miles!

2020 Halfway Point!

Flat Will and LB have made it 1065.5 miles

COVID-19 Bear



Signed the post. 

What was really cool was that Sure Foot and I got there together. We started on Springer Mtn on March 20th, and we arrived at the halfway point on June 20th. Will we summit Katahdin on September 20th???? 

Then...we crossed the 1100 mile mark! 



We almost didn’t see this in the gravel on the side of the road. 

We had 4.6 miles to Pine Grove Furnace State Park and the Ironmaster Mansion Hostel. There was a weird section with all these dead vines. 

Sure Foot thinks it is an invasive species that they have killed off. 

Sure Foot and I walked into Pine Grove Furnace about 11:30. Dusty and Braids were already showered. I promptly hopped in the shower! It was not the most high pressure shower, but it was the BEST SHOWER EVER!!! 

Ironmaster’s Mansion Hostel

Then it was time for THE HALF GALLON CHALLENGE!!! Of course, I didn’t do it because ice cream and I don’t play well together, let alone a half gallon! I’d end up leaving my innards on the trail! However, Dusty, Sure Foot, and Braids took on the challenge. 

Dusty’s first bite

Sure Foot’s first

Braids getting started. 
I had a delicious chicken and avocado quesadilla and a root beer float (a little ice cream chased with a lactose pill is okay).



That is “colorful” vanilla ice cream (never heard of such a thing).

In the end, Dusty was the only one to win the coveted wooden spoon for finishing. 

Good job, Dusty!

We went over to the AT museum. 



Grandma Gatewood


Our laundry is done (clean clothes are heaven)! 

I thought I’d do a run down of how the ol’ bod is holding up after 1065.5 miles (give or take a hundred).

Head: Mostly good, but there have been days of wishing I was on my bike instead of my feet. It is a mental game out here. Sometimes I’m not so good at keeping a positive attitude. 

Shoulders: My one complaint about my pack is that I can’t really use the chest strap. Because my torso is so short, the chest strap chokes me. That means I can’t move the shoulder straps along my collarbones. What helps is to take my pack off and stretch throughout the day. 

Back: Overall, my back is good. Still having some issues with heat rash on my lower back where my pack rests. Again, taking the pack off periodically helps. Haven’t had to use the diaper rash cream for awhile. Muscle-wise, I do my stretches every morning, and have had no back pain. 

Legs/knees: Legs are strong. Knees have been doing good as long as I don’t pound down the hills. Twinges every now and then, but nothing debilitating. Glute and quad stretches help. 

Feet: Ah, the feet...arguably the most important part. I try and massage them every night, as well as stretch stretch stretch. Still, by the end of the day, my dogs are barkin’. My toes feel something like numb. It’s a weird feeling. I also try to take my shoes off at least once during the day (usually lunch). That helps the most during the heat. 

So, that’s it! Do I have another 1065.5 miles in me? I don’t know, but I’m certainly going to try!












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