Start: Toms Run Shelter
This morning at 4 am, we awoke to some intense thunder and lightening. Luckily, we had our tent pitched next to an empty shelter. We got up quickly and moved the tent into the shelter. Two minutes after we did, it started to pour!!! Awesome storm and even more awesome that we didn't get wet!! We woke up at 7 am and left camp at 8:30 am. We had 3.6 miles to go until Pine Grove Furnace State Park. Just about .2 miles after the shelter, we hit the half way sign. Such an accomplishment for the thru hikers... Katahdin is now closer than Springer! Most of the way to the park was some sort of descent, so it was hard on my knee, but the COOLEST thing happened! We saw 2 bears!! About .25 miles from the road where the park is, Brian spotted a bear in a grassy clearing. He didn't seem aggressive (more curious) so we were able to get a picture!! There was a second bear in the brush off to the side that was moving in our direction so we banged our poles together and made lots of noise. I told Brian "Go! Go! Go!" But, then there was a GREAT photo opportunity so I said, "Wait! Wait! Wait! Come back!" We got an awesome picture!! SO COOL!! When we got to the park, it was time for the half gallon challenge. Brian got vanilla and I chose some vanilla and mint chip. Brian finished in 30 minutes and earned a wooden "Member of the Half Gallon Club" spoon. I failed MISERABLY!! We hung out and relaxed for the rest of the day so I could ice and rest my knee. We hung out with thru hikers Beast Mode, Tall Oaf, Lucky Ten, Hot Feet, Dingo, Embassador, Simple C, and Easy Nomad. Eventually, we made it to the AT museum and then the lake. We went for a very refreshing swim (which doubled as doing laundry) and it felt great on my knee. We are camping in the park and are sharing a site with Hot Feet. It's hot and humid and calling for some thunder storms tonight!
End: Pine Grove Furnace State Park
Peace Be The Journey
~Flicka
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