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July
12, 1983 Tuesday (1088.8 mtg) From
Gonzo!s Appalachian Trail journal
The
temperature was cool this morning when I awoke, but after ascending
just a bit I found out that all the cool air was just hanging in
the depression near the shelter. I soon found out what the weather
was really like - extremely warm. I hit a sudden rise in temperature
as I went up. I cruised the nine miles to Pine Grove Furnace State
Park in about 2 ½ to 3 hours and met several hikers going
south along the way. At the park there is a store which is famous
as being the home of the half-gallon club, a half gallon of ice
cream that is. Prospective members can buy a half gallon of ice
cream from the store and if successful at eating the whole carton
in one setting, a piece of oak tag construction paper and a magic
marker are rewarded to the new member so they can make a sign to
hang in the store proclaiming that they were an official member.
I looked though their selection and ended up with a half gallon
of Black Raspberry ice cream for my attempt. I sat out on the front
porch of the building as I began to eat in the heat. I must say
that the heat has a lot to do with the successful completion of
the snack; the heat melts the ice cream making it smooth and easy
to scoop out and swallow. If I had to eat the whole thing while
it was frozen solid, I would not have completed the challenge, but
"on this day July 12, 1983 Gonzo! ate and became an official
member of the Pine Grove Furnace State Park Half Gallon Club,"
as it stated on my sign. I talked with some other people after eating,
one who bought me an A & W Rootbeer, which I also consumed.
I called everyone at the butcher shop afterwards to tell everyone
the good news: as far as I could figure it, I had just completed
half of the Appalachian Trail, as well as becoming a member of the
Half-Gallon Club. Maybe I would make it after all. It seemed possible
to me now, although I knew deep down I could make it.
I moved on to my goal for the night, which was to cover the distance
to Moyer's Campground. I set off on the twelve-mile hike from the
store to the campground with a half gallon of ice cream and a can
of rootbeer in my stomach, but did not feel too bloated. I could
probably still cover the distance to my planned stop for the night.
I took a short break at Tagg Run Shelters just over seven and a
half miles past Pine Grove Furnace. Luckily the terrain featured
little elevation change, 500 feet at most over several miles. After
the initial climb up Piney Ridge, the trail was downhill for several
miles. I thought of playing Monopoly as I crossed over a set of
railroad tracks owned by the Reading Railroad Company. The trail
took me up and over Trent Hill before I located the side trail (road)
to the campground. At this point I had to make a choice between
the new shelter and the campground. There seemed to be some controversy
over the new shelter that was being built near Moyer's Campground.
I believe that Mr. Moyer was not happy that the shelter was being
built there since it would decrease his business by hikers. Either
that, or it was being built on his land through eminent domain or
something. Perhaps it was some other landowner who planned on charging
hikers to stay. Whatever the problem, I decided to spend the night
at the Campground since it had showers, a little store and also
showed movies at night. The charge was $1.50 for a tentsite, shower
usage and admission to the movie. If you wanted to use the pool
you would have to pay the $7.50 regular site fee. I chose to do
my swimming in the shower. I washed my shorts and shirt while I
took a long shower, and later relaxed in the back of the store while
watching a VHS video showing of "Hanger 18" about a UFO
crash coverup by the US Government. It starred Darren McGavin, the
actor from "the Night Stalker" and was a refreshing distraction
from the usual trail life.
Gonzo!
Appalachian Trail Journals ©1983
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