Dick Ludwig (center) used to be the mayor of Unionville when he first had verbal communication with the thru-hikers at the post office in his town. In '07 he decided to let hikers camp in his yard and would cook meals for them...he had around 250 hikers that year. Thus far in '09, he has already had over 600 hikers come through his doors and each hiker is expected to have a load of laundry done, a shower, a full dinner, and breakfast in the morning - cheese ommlette, home fries, sausage, toast, oj, coffee all cooked by 81 year old Bill (to the left). Butch (right) helps out when he can or when it gets super busy.
They also provide slackpacking for the day so you can stay another day at his house (he has 8 bunks in his basement which is dubbed 'The Outhouse' and lots of green grass in his large yard for a tent) and do it all over again. Truly one of the best town experiences on the trail. The best thing about it is how much these guys genuinely enjoying what they do - even though they have zero comprehension as to why a person in his or her right mind would want to walk 2000+ miles from GA to ME. Thank Bill, Dick, and Butch!!!
A reunion with Adroid (formerly known as Antrak) at the former Unionville mayor's house. We haven't seen this kid since the first shelter in the Shenandoah's...and after roughly a week off in NYC, I probably won't see him again on the trail...but you never know. And that's Pyro grinning in the bottom right of the picture.
A reunion with Adroid (formerly known as Antrak) at the former Unionville mayor's house. We haven't seen this kid since the first shelter in the Shenandoah's...and after roughly a week off in NYC, I probably won't see him again on the trail...but you never know. And that's Pyro grinning in the bottom right of the picture.
Windbreaker at the Doyle in Duncannon. The Doyle is one just a few 100 year old budweiser train hotels (something like that) left in the country. Cheap beer and very good food. The owners love hikers as well. I was still on my giardia meds, so no celebrating the half-way point for me. :( Good thing there will be bigger things to celebrate in the future :)
We had some awesome trail magic at New Caledonia State Park on July 5th. The family who does it has done so on the same day for the past 10 or so years. And they had donuts. I like donuts but never really crave them on the trail...but that morning i couldn't stop thinking about them. Maple Donuts (this is an actual brand - not just a flavor) are perhaps some of the best in the world - a mix between Krispy Kreme and the generic Kroger bakery donuts. yum.
Bottom Bunk trying to complete the Half Gallon Challenge at Pine Grove Furnace State Park. It's a personal contest to try and eat a half gallon of ice cream in one sitting. Pyro and I opted to share a 1/2 gallon instead and have cherry coke floats. I was gonna do it but was still on the giardia meds which knocked out my appetite. ugh.
We had some awesome trail magic at New Caledonia State Park on July 5th. The family who does it has done so on the same day for the past 10 or so years. And they had donuts. I like donuts but never really crave them on the trail...but that morning i couldn't stop thinking about them. Maple Donuts (this is an actual brand - not just a flavor) are perhaps some of the best in the world - a mix between Krispy Kreme and the generic Kroger bakery donuts. yum.
Bottom Bunk trying to complete the Half Gallon Challenge at Pine Grove Furnace State Park. It's a personal contest to try and eat a half gallon of ice cream in one sitting. Pyro and I opted to share a 1/2 gallon instead and have cherry coke floats. I was gonna do it but was still on the giardia meds which knocked out my appetite. ugh.
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