6/22/2014

6/22/14                      Rocky Run Shelter(s)

     Today was the most nondescript in the way of miles. 9ish more crossed off the list, but it felt as if I was simply on a conveyor belt walking in place while the belt moved the scenery around me, if that makes any sense. It is nice to walk with Fresh though; company makes miles go that much quicker. The miles were boring but the trail magic sure wasn't today. We got to Gathland State Park and took a break. There was a nice shaded pavilion with a lot of picnic tables. as we hung around for maybe five minutes, a woman who was leaving asked, "hey are you guys thru hiking?" which brought the attention of a couple other people who were just around for the day. Should've guessed seeing as it's Saturday. I naturally answered for both of us confirming we were indeed thru hikers. The woman got out of her car and opened the trunk and produced two cans of Mountain Dew for us. We both thanked her profusely as she explained she was up here for her son or nephew (clearly wasn't paying attention, sorry!) who was hiking as well. She eventually drove off and we finished our delicious liquefied sugar and caffeine. However not ten minutes later another woman drives up and asks us the same question to which we give the same answer. This time however we got more than just a soda. We got to talking and she mentioned a creamery not far down the road; maybe five miles. She offered to take Fresh and I as another big group of slackpacking thru hikers come up to the park. Her offer then extended to the group (made up of Nora V. , The Pope, Rowdy, Weatherman, and others) so four of us piled into her car and went to said creamery. On the way over the woman (who introduced herself as Vicki) was explaining how this is the best ice cream we'd ever eat ever. She wasn't kidding either; it was the best ice cream I had ever eaten. It was more a dairy farm that happened to sell fresh milk, cheese, and of course ice cream and milkshakes. We all got a cone of ice cream as well as some pints for the guys that decided to wait at the park because her car was a bit small for all eight of us. After we all enjoyed the ice cream we (just Fresh and I) hiked the 5 1/2 miles past there to the second shelter, Rocky Run Shelter. There were two shelters there, too; one old one in slight disrepair slightly past the newer and nicer one. The old one was closer to the water source and had a porch swing but the newer one was bigger and slightly cleaner. I might be living in the woods but i manage to have some cleanliness standards. 

-Sam