June 25 - Boiling Spring, PA (Day 98 – milepoint 1092.2)

We passed the halfway point (mile 1080.1) this morning and continued – with labor – in the heat and humidity. Probably not the safest weather for backpacking, but we are invincible after all…

As soon as we hit Boiling Springs, a fisherman offered us a couple of beers. Although neither of us really wanted a beer, we honored his gesture and I forced mine down during light conversation.

Trail Rule #2: Never turn down an offer for a food or beverage that you do not carry in your pack.

Half-buzzed, we arrived at the ATC building and met Silence (20, Danville, KY). He told us about a local trail volunteer, Ishmael, who offered to put him up and anyone else who rolled in before he returned. Achilles and I ran over to the Italian Restaurant and grabbed the pizza and salads we had been talking about for most of the day.

Trail Rule #1: Satisfy all cravings.

Ishmael, who thru-hiked in ’96, showed up and took us to his home up a mountain out of town. A beautiful and unique log cabin he built himself and Achilles, Silence and I are crashed out in his Trail-replica-shelter out back. Class act is Ishmael. He shared with us some strong, Hungarian beer, which I didn’t like, but drank gratefully.

Aquaholic