June 17, 2004
Half-gallons..
Today was a rest day, they're staying in a Super-8 Motel just off the trail in Carlisle, PA1.
| Day | Miles | |
|---|---|---|
| June 15 | 76 | 17.9 miles2 |
| 77 | 20 miles3 | |
| 78 | rest day |
Total: 37.9 miles
The stack up
The goal for June is 500 miles. We're halfway through the month, and they've 295.7 under their belts! WOOO!
June 15
I forgot to ask about this day - woops. But, considering that Caledonia State Park2 has a pool, and showers, etc. I'll suppose they stayed there. Don't let me forget to ask 
Update: I asked, they stayed at Quarry Gap Shelters4.
June 16 - Day 77
They reached the official halfway point, Pine Grove, PA3, at around 2pm.
As it says in the AT Companion, "Pine Grove General Store... the first opportunity for north-bounders to join the traditional 'half-gallon club.' To belong, you have to eat a half-gallon of ice cream to mark the halfway point of your thru-hike." Dad ended up finishing off Ruth's half-gallon - she said she was about 3/4 of the way through, and just looked at it and thought, "you know, I really would rather have a cheeseburger." A little while later, they did just that.
They spent the night at the Ironmasters Mansion AYH, a hostel south of the entrance to Pine Grove Furnace State park. The AT Companion mentions that the mansion "was once a 'stop' on the Underground Railroad."
Ruth said the place was really cool - high ceilings, cool rooms (no beds though, only bunks), and bats! Apparently, Dad had a bit of an episode with a bat that managed to somehow get inside his bag liner (must have been one confused bat). There is also a huge chessboard outside (each piece is about 2" square on the bottom!), and Dad apparently got a big kick out of getting to play a few games on it against some of the other hikers that were there.
June 17 - Day 78 (today)
They got a ride from Pine Grove to the motel in Carlisle for their down day, which they spent at the Super8 eating and swimming. Dad said they both needed a rest day, but are otherwise feeling well.
References
1 US11-Carlisle, PA is 1,115.1 miles.
2 US30-Caledonia State Park, PA is 1,067.7 miles.
3 Pine Grove Furnace SP, PA is 1,087.7 miles.
4 Quarry Gap Shelter, 1063.2 miles
Comments
Ruth and Mike -
We got a whole package of maps the other day, we spent part of last night looking them over, looks like we can walk with you all the way to Katahdin. --- Thanks! ---Mom & Dad ---
holy cow!!! MD and VA gone??? guys PA will hold many beautiful surprises for you, in college we got to hike around the delaware water gap area a lot and it is just spectacular...a good place to catch a tire inner tube ride down the river, but i guess that would be backtracking, now wouldn't it? keep your feet healthy!
PA is going by in a blink, too..
They'll be here before I know it
(Then maybe we can do something about that mess in my guest room... )