Ironmasters Mansion hostel

 After another deluxe hostel night, early shuttle at 7:30 took Boom (who I met at Harpers Ferry the first day, just retired and now following in footsteps of his wife Detour who thru hiked in 2019), Chief (who walked through the rain the last two days and got in soaked; he started the trail last year southbound but broke his foot in NH ) and me to road crossing, with them slacking merrily back and me full packing north again.

Boom took this shot at the dropoff, with Chief and shuttle driver Junker (who drove me 7 years ago, said he remembered me)

 But only 8.5 miles flat easy miles, on at times wet trail, past the official AT halfway marker to Pine Grove Furnace St Pk and this hostel.

Rodney and I stayed here about 18 years ago, so I knew about the secret basement accessed by trap door in closet. Now there is debate whether it actually was a stop on the underground railroad.

The hostel, despite the grand mansion, is shabby and a little dirty, compared to Thru it all ministries. Two folks separately selfshuttling in vehicles here tonight. Grambo, 78 year old from GA, with dozens of grandchildren, has been making her way on the trail slowly and intermittently the last 6 years. Brett just moseying along with a motorcycle jammed into his vehicle, so he can park one, ride ahead and park the other, walk back and retrieve and repeat I guess. Strange way to hike a trail.

And did I mention it's raining again, likely all night. Another hiker wandered in, Beast, who appears more homeless than hiker but nice enough guy, no money to stay so they're letting him sleep on the porch. And a young Texan drove in, seeing the country after losing a job. He thought he might still have beer in a cooler but alas, only seltzer left, dashing my hopes to break another hostel rule. Full confession, I did sneak two beers into the church hostel, which like most places says no alcohol. Just channeling/ paying homage to/offering a roast to Rodney. We actually had forbiddened beer here 18 years ago.