TRAIL DAY 117
Thu, June 16, 2016 There was a pavilion diagonally behind the shelter, back right looking out. I had breakfast there while a light rain fell. Everyone went about his own business and headed out. The trail was a path of embedded stones for a while and led to the half-way marker for a trail 8.1 miles shorter than ours. Because the marker was more of a monument, I suspect the distance it marked was one of long standing.
It must have been shorter at both ends because their half-way point was farther north than ours and we didn’t come to the distance from their half-way point to Katahdin until several miles farther north. This kinda boggles the mind (well, my mind) but there you have my best guess.
We carried on through damp woods for some distance and it was here that I saw my first Queen Anne’s Lace.
In time we emerged onto a road descending a gradual grade leading to country houses on the way to Pine Grove Furnace. It was the day I would meet Ken and Tina. While others indulged the ½ gallon challenge, I would indulge in good company and 2 of my regular turkey subs – 2 “Shakers.”
There was a nice long porch at the Pine Grove Furnace store – a perfect wet-hiker hang-out. The challenge. The dogs. The feeling of accomplishment with miles and miles to go. A short respite in the rain.
Ken, Tina and I took our time over lunch and then took pictures on our way to the museum where we spent time soaking in the trail history.
The favor of friends is like a carrot to the lone hiker deep in the woods, a marker up ahead, a goal to reach. It’s like a view from a congenial summit to keep you going. Thank you friends.
Ken and Tina drove off in Ken’s Toyota truck with cap as I began hiking in a light rain. There was a long gravel road through the parklands from which a trail led to the right through severed branches of fallen pine trees up a grade into the woods.
As I climbed I realized that I had left my backup battering charging on a ledge along the outside wall of the store. I was having trouble getting cell service and my battery was running low. I remember telling my plight to some southbound hikers and asked if they could have someone there pick up my battery and hike it forward – they’d undoubtedly be faster than I was. I kept trying my phone as I climbed to see if I’d get a signal. I asked some other hikers if they’d mind if I used their phone to call because my battery was running low and I didn’t have my backup. I called on their phone without success and, with thanks, left to climb up farther. In time I was able to get through to the museum. Someone there was going to be traveling north soon and would be able to leave the battery with the ATC at Boiling Springs, 2 days out.
Another problem – fixed!
I’ve probably said before how I enjoy solving problems as they arise – even cleaning up a mess – knowing that there is a solution which just has to be discovered or implemented.
En route to James Fry (Tagg Run) Shelter I saw my first-ever Pileated Woodpecker – the Woody the Woodpecker woodpecker. It was huge and flew right across the trail in front of me maybe 20 yards out – too fast for camera work. It was a rare sighting and a thrilling one.
By 7:30 I had rounded the mound that rose gradually from PGFSP and descended as gradually to the shelter. Three guys and a gal were already there. I remember the fellow with the Mohawk very well as a very fine person, indeed, but I cannot remember his name. Perhaps it will come to me. I notice as I check the photos again that I didn’t even mention his very thick beard. Beards were just a characteristic doo for a male hiker. The Mohawk was a little more distinctive.
The gal was “Two-Packs,” a name she got because her back weighed as much as any two other packs. She was trying to identify stuff to offload at the next opportunity or to give to fellow hikers. She was also tending to sore, blistered feet. I don’t know where or how she got my name or number but she texted me about something recently for which she sought my help. I failed to get back to her until sometime later at which point she said all was well. Carry on Two-Packs – and stay healthy!
We all ate and turned in for a misty night’s sleep.
Day #117 Toms Run Shelter > James Fry Shelter 10.9 miles