Skipped breakfast due to lack of water. Decided to treat myself by getting a ride in to a restaurant once I hit the road crossing at 3 miles.
Couldn't get a ride in, so much for that. No rideshare and the trail taxi option wasn't very good. Too busy of a road to hitchhike.
So I ate breakfast at Caledonia State Park in a day shelter. Not too bad and out of the rain.
Very easy terrain today for hiking. Rain was light and got heavier after lunch. Lunch was at Birch Run shelter which had a sign saying it was closed due to bat bugs.
I had packed out an umbrella left at the previous shelter and decided to try it out. What a game changer Maybe not great in the wind but perfect for the rain today. Just strapped it to my chest at the shoulder strap and it was good to go.
Got to Tom's Run Shelter and it was still early so I decided to push ahead to Pine Grove Furnace where there is a hostel.
It was wet and cool and I didn't feel like wasting time sitting in a shelter in the sleeping bag, so why not walk in and see whats happening?
Along the way I passed a marker for the halfway point on the AT. I think its a little out of date but fun nonetheless.
Arriving in Pine Grove Furnace I find the store is closed, apparently it is open seasonally. Should have read the fine print in the trail guide more closely.
Ironmasters Mansion Hostel was open and had plenty of room. The bunk rooms were normally split between snorers and non-snorers. I guess you self-identify.
Today a small school group was staying there so they divided up boys and girls. I didn't feel comfortable being the lone hiker sharing a bunk room with highschoolers so I sprung for a private room.
Made dinner from the hiker box since the store was closed. What is a hiker box? It's a bin full of leftover, unwanted, or unneeded food and gear that hikers can take or leave. Commonly found at hiker focused businesses near the trail. Here was just one of many good finds at this one:
Did some chores: got laundry done, did regular maintenance on the filter, and measured my stove fuel (1/2 tank left).
Found out the school group's leader did his eagle scout project at the mansion which is why he thought to bring the kids there for a history lesson.
Got in a stretch and a call home. Planned the next few days out and found another place to snag a meal from. Hopefully this one is open.
Everything is drying out nicely. Being indoors has its perks.