6/19/21 Today was a rather quiet day hiked up hill to Chimney Rocks took a picture trail was then quite rocky then thru Caledonia State Park which was crowded as it was a Saturday. Started raining lasted an hour or two pushed on. Few ups and downs. Miss family and Piper. It’s hard being alone often want to quit but people say I can’t because I’ll go home with nothing to do and feel like a failure. Meet people at shelters talk but no real friends. As I got to the shelter late and it might have rained overnight I slept in the shelter. Don’t sleep well in shelters but forces me to get up early. Going about 10 miles today to the Ironmasters Mansion Hostel where an old friend Laurie my meet me. She isn’t planning on hiking. Maybe later. On a positive note listening to music helps and Pandora I get can off line. Need to get the ear plugs Hannah bought me and are at home. Birds and Whiperwills wake you up in the morning like 5:00 AM. Wish Michele would hike with me but she can’t. Hopefully newly discovered listening to music will help.

6/20/21 Hiked 9.8 miles to the Ironmasters Mansion Hostel in Pine Grove Furnace State Park where I’ll stay tonight. Hot day. Saw caterpillars crawling around and a local woman said they were Gypsy Moth caterpillars and they were covering tree trunks getting ready to pupate. They had eaten all the leaves off of oak trees. Amazing never saw anything like this. Also passed the half way point. Met old college and med school friend Laurie from Maryland there.Had not seen her in well over 20 years. She hasn’t back packed in years. Had dinner at Pine Grove General Store where they have the famous ice cream challenge.Didn’t do it as I have some degree of lactose intolerance. Good to have company. Hostel was large old building Supposedly on the underground railroad. Laurie stayed at campground at Pine Grove Furnace State Park.