June 18. Birch Run Shelter. 20 miles

Today was cool and rainy we hiked to Caldonia State Park. They had a huge pool and due to weather, it was empty. Too cold to swim but we took long, hot showers. You sure appreciate running hot water after so much time in the woods.

One of the most difficult parts for me is being dirty. When we are hiking, our clothes get drenched with sweat. You feel damp most of the time. At camp, you may change into dry long johns. In the morning, those clothes are still wet you put them on anyway in fact, we have learned that our clothes dry best on our bodies We use baby wipes to clean up. If there is a river, we may do a bandana bath or if we are lucky, a full swim. After four, five or six days, you just feel grimy and stinky (and you are).

These last two days we have been hiking with the Honeymooners and Spirit. I will have to get their pictures tomorrow. The Honeymooners thru hiked the trail in 2010. Married September 17,2011 and will summit Khatadin for the second time on their anniversary. Spirit is a 63 year old woman on her 5th attempt to thru hike. I do think she will make it this time. She hiked 20 with us today. She is whipped.

What I have been told about snakes. A rattle snake is not as aggressive as a copperhead. They are prevalent on or around the rocks here in PA. If you get bit by a copperhead, you won't die but must get to emergency room right away. Usually a venomous snake will not use their venom on a human because we are too large for them to eat. 75 percent of the time, they will just bite which could still cause you problems so get to the ER. Their venom can cause permanent tissue damage. All this information has made me a bit nervous about snakes.

We love the shelters here in PA. Some good ones.

Tomorrow Mark is going to take the half gallon ice cream challenge and hopes to break the record. EZ feels this is his kind of challenge. Will let you
Know the results tomorrow.