Day 71 - Monday, August 22

Linda

The sky was very dark and menacing when we woke up at 6:30, and while we were contemplating getting up, it started to pour, so we went back to sleep until 8:00. The rain had stopped by then, so we packed up our wet tent and started up the Whiskey Springs Rocks at 9:00. They were more of Pennsylvania's famous "unusual rock formations" which afforded no views at all, but they do run you over, under, around and through for no particular reason. Came down to a road before Tagg Run, and stopped at a gas station for drinks and a junk food hit around 11:00. We didn't stop at the Tagg Run Shelters, but kept on up Piney Mountain. The climb wasn't too strenuous, but once again, no reward at the top but more trees.

The trail came down to a state forest road, then past a pleasant swimming beach on Fuller Lake at Pine Grove Furnace State Park. The lake looked very inviting as we wandered around the huge beautiful grassy picnic grounds trying to find the blazes. Finally picked them up and walked through several other picnic areas, and then by the old furnace stack and stopped at the camp store. We bought ice cream and Cokes (didn't have root beer) and made Coke floats. Lately we don't seem to be able to pass up a drink machine, but we usually give in to our urges, since the trail affords us so few other vices. The next 3.4 miles to Tom's Run Shelter was very pleasant walking on old woods roads, so we reached the shelter by 4:30 to fix dinner - the last of the mashed potatoes. What a relief to be rid of my least favorite meal in the world!

Talked to a couple guys who hiked in from Caledonia State Park today who told us about a nice campsite a couple miles away. At about 6:00 we left the shelter to walk on up the South Mountain Ridge a couple miles to a game preserve road. Found the pretty pine covered area the guys referred us to and put down our sleeping bags. Spent the rest of the evening writing letters until it was too dark to see. Did 19.2 miles today.

Ron

I was awakened early this morning by the sound of thunder. I lay there debating if we should hurry up and pack before the rain hits or wait it out. After twenty minutes of indecision, my decision was made for me, as the patter of rain began to fall on the tent. I turned to Linda and said that maybe it would clear in a couple of hours, then rolled over and did not wake up until 8:00. The rain had cleared so we fixed breakfast and packed up.

At 9:00 we set out to attack another rocky ridge. It was a classic example of Pennsylvania rocks. Up over around and through the rocks we go. We finally tired of the insanity and hiked along the edge of the rock formation. We picked up the trail at the other end and continued on our way. We were clipping along pretty good this morning when we chanced upon a drink machine at a body shop. Unwilling to pass up the opportunity, we stopped for food, rest and a couple of drinks. After retying our boots we were off to discover the merits of another Pennsylvania ridge.

Again we made a long climb. Not particularly hard, just long and up to a another flat tree covered ridge. Ridge walking maybe fine occasionally, but two hundred miles of it is a bit much. Fortunately the rocks were not as bad this time. We broke for lunch a little after 1:00 to relax and take in the many non-views. Lunch was followed by an easy descent down the ridge to Pine Grove Furnace State Park.

We arrived at the bank of Fuller Lake, the sandy beach was covered with bathers. After getting over the shock, we proceeded to get lost in the picnic grounds. It seems someone had rerouted the trail when a bridge washed out and failed to paint over the old blazes. After a few minutes of confusion, mixed with some not so nice thoughts about trail relocation, we were on our way again. I'm not sure why we didn't stop to take a swim.

We hadn't traveled far before we came to a store. Again the temptation over took us. We couldn't leave before downing a couple drinks and a pint of ice cream. I must admit that these rest stops are getting expensive. From the store we hiked to Tom's Run Lean-to for supper and conversation with a couple of hikers there. We have gotten into the habit of hiking a few miles in the evening after supper. A short two mile hike after supper got us here to a beautiful pine covered camp site for the evening.

(19.2 Miles - 1064.8 Total)