Day 4: Entered PA!

Start: Raven Rock Shelter (AT mi 1061.1) Stop: Tumbling Run Shelters (AT mi 1075.3) Today’s miles: 14.2 mi. Total AT mileage: 50.3 mi. States completed: Maryland

I COMPLETED ONE STATE TODAY! More on this later, but please know I AM STOKED!

My watch yesterday said I went 12 miles instead of 10 that the trail apps and maps say I did, but then today my watch says 13.1 miles and the app/maps say 14.2.. SO, I’m only claiming what the maps say officially as what I’ve done.

Anyway. Last night was a sleepless night again. I was cold. So cold in fact that when I got up and moving this morning, I called mom and aunt Kathy to tell them happy Mother’s Day, and mentioned how cold I was-now they’ve Hatched a plan to overnight me my sleeping bag along with a few goodies, too. Aunt Kathy will send out my goodie box in the morning so that it’ll arrive on Tuesday morning. I plan to hike to town tomorrow (10 miles I believe) and then sleep in the hostel over night that they’re shipping the stuff to. I’m excited about a shower, bed, and to wash my clothes.. and the potential for restaurant food! I’m actually craving Dr. Pepper, which is weird.

Back to today: it was glorious. I slept awful, when I got up at 7:45 the whole camp was already gone except one dude and his dog, but by the time I packed and ate breakfast (and tried to make use of the privy 🤷‍♀️) they were gone too! I started to have feelings like there’s no way I’ll catch up, I’m starting too late and moving too slow, self doubt, self doubt, self doubt. But once I talked to my favorite ladies and we had a plan for at least warmer nights ahead, I started to get into my hiking grove and push the noise out of my head.

And then.. I passed the Mason-Dixon Line and headed into Pennsylvania! While I technically started in Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia, I only hiked one mile in WV before crossing into Maryland (when I come back to Harper’s Ferry to hike south, I’ll get to claim the state). I’m completely finished with a whole state! Now, only 13 more to go! LMAO

My original plan was for a 10 mile day to Deer Lick Shelter. I knew regardless I needed to be there before 6, because of impending downpours (it still rained off and on all day, but never for very long). I passed it at 1:45 and knew that it was too early in the day to stop. It would be one thing if it was warm outside, but this 45 degree weather with cloudy skies and occasional short showers makes for really cold hikers when they’re sitting still.

I pressed on. And now the “pressure” was on too, because now I needed to huff it several more miles (my app said 4.2) up and over mountains to make it to Tumbling Run Shelters before the rain came.

Even while “rushing” I still stopped to eat lunch, and two other times for hole digging excursions. I thought I’d be rolling in with the rain and all the tent spots would be gone. Not the case at all! I got here before 5pm and the couple I chatted with from last night, Adam and K, was already here! We’re all three still nameless. The solo lady from yesterday is here, too. Her name is Showtime and she’s section hiking a month at a time. There’s also Zen and No Water, along with some other guys that move too quick for me to catch their names.. surely they started in GA because they FLY down the trail.

I had dinner with Adam and K. I really enjoy them and hope we stay around the same pace for awhile. My dinner was Mac and cheese from backpacker pantry. Soooo good. For any of you wondering, all you do with these freeze dried meals is boil water (I have a jet boil-it’s a little gas stove with a “pot” on top.. put the water in and it boils it super fast), pour it in, stir, and let it sit for 10-20 minutes. WALAA- dinner is served! Uncle Keith and Aunt Kathy got these for me to start the trail with. Once I run out and resupply in towns, those will be hard to come by. So it’ll be things like ramen noodles with a packet of chicken put in, or pasta sides, instant potatoes.. that kinda deal.

I hope this night passes fast because I’m so ready to have a warm, restful night! Regardless of the future weather, tonight is my last overly cold one with this light weight quilt!