The Search for Ice Cream

Since we are staying two nights, we did not have to make or break camp today. We chilled this morning while the campsite cleared out and then went to check out Paw Paw tunnel. The path to it was closed, so we went around the barrier to go anyway. The tunnel itself had a more substantial fence around it, so we let it be but did climb the forbidden stairs to go above the tunnel entrance. 

We went to Berkeley Springs for lunch and then did some googling for ideas of other things to do or see. Jaron got a gigantic plate of meat. It was ridiculous. Like 8 oz each of brisket and pulled pork. Then we split a slice of lemon meringue pie. Anyway, a Roman bath is in Berkeley Springs and is kind of a big deal. They say George Washington himself came there. It was built in 1815. So I think hey, there's no shower at our campsite, maybe a hot spring bath is just the ticket. So that's what we did. They clean the room out with bleach spray in between guests and then fill up a 750 gallon...tub? Jaron calculated that was 64-65lbs of carbon to heat up the water from 70 to 100 degrees, or a roundtrip commute for Julie if she takes the short way to work. It was hooooottttt. Julie actually quit early, which is crazy because Julie loves hot baths. 

Then we hung out at the hot springs state park. I went to lay down in the grass because I was heat-dumb. We both made sure to drink a lot of water, in fact I had some powdered coconut water before we went in to the bath. 

Then it was time for ice cream. I found a creamery, but they decided to close early. Then we had a hard time finding a gas station that was open, to get freezer ice cream things, and decided we'd better just hit the road. In Paw Paw, WV we stopped to get firestarter and chocolate, and son of a bitch! There was a creamery across the street. So we went and all they had was soft serve, but it fit the bill. Then we went in to the general store and damnit, they had real ice cream. Couldn't win on ice cream today. 

Now we are chillaxing by the fire. The campground was full last night (10 sites), but tonight there are just 3 groups so far. One weird thing we have noticed is that people will walk right thru campsites. Is this a Maryland thing, similar to how there are hardly any fences around people's yards? Like you have to get a permit to build a fence over 4 ft high, so no one has fences and our neighbors, the meter man, and solicitors will just walk across our patio instead of around it. We don't like it. It's very different from Texas where everyone has 10 ft fences around their back yards and no one moseys through your campsite. Jaron moved a chair and the bivy sack between our tent and picnic table to discourage this this morning. So weird. 

The guys nearest us ain't messin around. They brought a chimney for their charcoal or wood chips for cooking. They brought heavy gloves for handling it. Jaron just said "Jesus, they brought an axe??" This campground is growing on me. Last night it was really busy with a boy scout troop right next to us and another group of 20 across the way. There is no shower, portajohns only, and a hand pump for water. So that threw us off at first. I found this camground using the "tent only" search option on my app, and it always leads me to interesting campgrounds.