The Sprout Day 26 (Friday, April 22nd)

I woke up with the mindset of being a champ and completing the half gallon challenge.  I didn’t even eat breakfast (I had some apple leather).  I was worried that the Pine Grove Furnace General Store would not be open.  While walking to Pine Grove we came across a second halfway point.  There are a few halfway points on the trail because the length of the trail changes almost every year.  There was a log book there and we signed it.  We also saw some entries from people who we followed on youtube last year.  That was really cool.

Looks like a little faerie

Box for the logbook

Halfway mark

Could be a "famous" youtuber?

As we were walking into the park we came across houses.  I wasn’t sure if they were state park employees or if people actually live within the park boundaries.

I thought this sign was funny.  It's such a dead end the sign has almost been taken over by foliage

Who gets to live in this state park?  Pretty cool!

Relaxing brook

Bubbles being a goof

We were excited when we got into the park and the general store was open!  I was able to do the challenge!  All the flip flop hikers that we met yesterday were there.  No one else was doing the challenge but I was ready for the battle.  I picked moose tracks even though I knew I shouldn’t have because of the chocolate and because it is so sweet.  I picked it because I know we are going to see a moose in Maine and the carton of ice cream was eyeballing me!  I thought we connected.

I was the third person to complete the challenge this year!  Towards the end of the half gallon it was getting really hard.  Then, two thru-hikers showed up and I got my second wind.  I felt like I ate the last pint in half a minute!  I got my wooden spoon and I’m part of the half gallon club.

Trying to finish the MooseTracks

Still have a pint to finish!

I did it!!

Third one this year!

My Half Gallon Challenge Club Member Spoon!

After I ate we walked an additional 7.7 miles to Fry shelter.  We hung out there waiting for our ride!

Bubbles by a lake

Almost to our pick up spot!

Found a spring

Day:  26

Miles hiked:  10.9

Total Miles hiked on the trail:  247.7

Bears:   0

Butterfly:  8

Chipmunk:  2

Crawfish:  1

Deer:  20

Really Big Dog:  1

Mouse:  1

Nest of bugs:  1

Skunk:  1

Snail:  1

Snake:  1

Squirrels:  11

Trout:  2

Turkeys:  4

Turtles:  107

Vulture:  6

Woodpecker:  1