7-12-12 Evening at Birch Run Shelter...
      We started the day with a nice breakfast at the Flamingo. Did a quick resupply at Dollar General then, and now I'm ready in the event I get another bout of chaffing in any unpleasant places. I'm just glad I had that olive oil that first day. I didn't need much food, but bought some oatmeal and pepperoni and a tiny deodorant bar which may make me less abrasive to innocent noses on town visits.Hitchhiking back to the trail wasn't going well for the first 15-20 mins, and then a blue truck pulled over and old Crawdad hopped out, what luck! I don't know what he does, I guess he just runs slackpackers around. Slackpacking is when someone takes your backpack miles ahead for you via road so you don't have to carry it on the trail. He had a couple of packs and bounce boxes in his truck bed so we just rode on the tailgate. I could see two other heads with dreads in the cab so there was no room up front.
      After getting back to the trail it was so nice to be back in the woods and away from the Scottish Inn and Suites. I felt like I had to check myself for ticks moreso after leaving the hotel than after being in the woods.
       This site is very nice, lots of great spots for hanging a hammock, and not crowded in  case it rains and I want to sleep in the shelter. There's a boyscout group down the way that said we could have some smores later if we want. I may jsut go to bed though, early start tomorrow. Half gallon challenge at Pine Grove possibly, A.T. Museum, and final destination James Fry Shelter 17.1 miles away. It'll be my longest day yet.

7-13-12
     The trend continues, 10 mins after I get to the Pine Grove Furnace State Park it started raining. I'm hanging out right now in front of the General Store with Stanimal, Lola, Red Bearfield, a ridgerunner (they patrol sections of the trail all summer) Sketch and 2 German guys. This is the spot for the half gallon challenge, an unofficial competition to see who can eat a half gallon of ice cream in the fastest time. I have 7 more miles today so I'm opting out doing it with a half gallon of dairy in my gut. Went for a cone instead.
    Nothing too crazy so far today, saw 2 deer, had to walk right under a hornets nest, at one point the trail became very narrow and it was in this wierd, staghorn sumac forest, and I realized I hadn't seen a white blaze in awhile, so for a few mins I was nervous that I'd taken a wrong turn until I saw one of the German's backpacks bobbing up and down in the distance. So I was relieved. We got a nice early start, on the trail by 20 mins til 7, so we've got time to rest with 10 miles done already today.
     Last night was kinda funny, I set my hammock and laid down to test it, when I looked up there was a dead tree ominously hanging right over me. So I didn't want to get smashed if it decided to fall that night, so I pivoted over to a young healthy hemlock.
   Then this group of Boyscouts nearby were carrying on a little but it was pretty funny. One kid exclusively talked in this creepy, deep voice. So I'm laying there trying to sleep and this deep, dark, scary voice is growling from the woods below me with a bunch of giggles every once in awhile coming from the other scouts. Before I drifted off he shared a poem I recall, "Roses are Red, Violets are Blue. Alone on Valentines Day? Good for you."
     I think I went to sleep with a smile on my face.