Jun 9 - Pennsylvania (Halfway)

DAY #85
START LOCATION: US-30/Fayetteville, PA
FINISH LOCATION: Toms Run Shelters
TODAY'S MILEAGE: 16.2
TRIP MILEAGE: 1,089.1
MILES TO GO: 1,090.0

I awoke at 6:30AM. I saw rain outside. I chuckled to myself, pulled
the covers over my head and then re-awoke at 8AM. We checked our
laundry that Panda had so graciously handwashed for us the night
before. It was all mostly wet. So we loaded it up, brought it to the
laundromat in Fayetteville, dropped it in the dryer and headed over to
the Flamingo Restaurant for a big breakfast. When we got back to the
laundromat, Smoke ran in and grabbed our apparel. It seemed dry to
him. But, when we got back to the hotel to pack up and check out, we
realized is all needed a bit more time. Smoke is officially fired from
checking laundry dryness.

We checked out and hung out at the laundromat while we chatted with
locals and planned our food for the push to Duncannon. Panda had
brought so much good hiker food that Smoke and I only needed a handful
of things. Of which, a quick stop at the Rite Aid and the local market
took care of it.

Panda, Smoke and I said our goodbyes and Smoke and I headed north into
pouring rain. It poured all the 2 1/4 miles to our first break at
Quarry Gap Shelter. It was a gorgeous two compartment shelter with a
porch connecting the two rooms. Some flip-floppers were there staying
dry and trying to get over a cold. We chatted, ate, filled up water
and headed on or way when the rain let up about an hour later.

The 7 mile stretch to Birch Run Shelter was fast and dry. Ee cruised
in there at 4:15. Yet another gorgeous shelter with bunks and an
enclosed dining canopy. We chatted with another flip-flopper there
until 5:30. We wished we could have stayed, but we needed another 6
1/4 to Toms Run to keep us on track for a weekend rendezvous.

That 10k flew as well. At a road crossing, we came upon some Panda
Magic. She'd driven ahead and left us some leftover pizza and a soda
and beer. We decided against the pizza, but Smoke housed the soda and
beer. We cranked out 3+ mph over relatively smooth terrain and pulled
into Toms Run under more rain at 7:15. But, the tiny old shelter was
only occupied by one human and numerous mosquitoes, so we were able to
let the rain pass and set up our alternate shelters.

We chatted and ate with a sectioner and previous 2008 thru-hiker,
Tourist from Lebanon, PA. He was a really nice guy and had lots of
great stories from the trail. We are expecting the rain to let up
overnight and have 2 nice days as we approach Duncannon.

We are 1/2 mile shy of the real halfway point of the 2010 AT. Not sure
it will be marked, but we know .5 miles is about 8 minutes worth of
hiking, so we'll snap a pic wherever that is. Woo hoo.

A special thanks to Panda again for coming down and catering to us
with a lift, laundry and food surprises! You
rock P-Stack!

-natedog