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July 12, 1983 Tuesday (1088.8 mtg) From Gonzo!s Appalachian Trail journal The temperature was cool this morning when I awoke, but after ascending just a bit I found out that all the cool air was just hanging in the depression near the shelter. I soon found out what the weather was really like - extremely warm. I hit a sudden rise in temperature as I went up. I cruised the nine miles to Pine Grove Furnace State Park in about 2 ½ to 3 hours and met several hikers going south along the way. At the park there is a store which is famous as being the home of the half-gallon club, a half gallon of ice cream that is. Prospective members can buy a half gallon of ice cream from the store and if successful at eating the whole carton in one setting, a piece of oak tag construction paper and a magic marker are rewarded to the new member so they can make a sign to hang in the store proclaiming that they were an official member. I looked though their selection and ended up with a half gallon of Black Raspberry ice cream for my attempt. I sat out on the front porch of the building as I began to eat in the heat. I must say that the heat has a lot to do with the successful completion of the snack; the heat melts the ice cream making it smooth and easy to scoop out and swallow. If I had to eat the whole thing while it was frozen solid, I would not have completed the challenge, but "on this day July 12, 1983 Gonzo! ate and became an official member of the Pine Grove Furnace State Park Half Gallon Club," as it stated on my sign. I talked with some other people after eating, one who bought me an A & W Rootbeer, which I also consumed. I called everyone at the butcher shop afterwards to tell everyone the good news: as far as I could figure it, I had just completed half of the Appalachian Trail, as well as becoming a member of the Half-Gallon Club. Maybe I would make it after all. It seemed possible to me now, although I knew all along, deep down inside, I could make it. I only talked for 6 minutes (cost $4.32). Planning
for Duncannon, PA, I requested no more Lipton Tea for the time being,
appropriate guidebooks, soap & shampoo, Lipton's noodles (specifically
no butter, cheese, or chicken flavors. I wanted Beef or Sour Cream
and Chives), Knoors green pea soup, candy bars, Pop-Tarts, a flashlight,
and of course homade cookies. I think I must have noticed my boots
beginning to fail as I also seem to have requested Mom to look for
a box for boots, and to possibly have a coat and a rain jacket ready
to be sent at a later date. I requested an REI catalogue in the
next package too. (notes
from mom)
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