Date: 2018-05-17
From: Darlington shelter

To: Peter's mountian shelter
Miles today: 22.3

Thurs Day 94 5/17 Nancy... I was up and out by 5. It was a very gentle walk the 11 miles into the Duncannon. I pasted three retired sisters all under Pancho's. It looked like walking houses. I got into Duncannon by 9:30. I heard trains all morning. Later I realize I heard trains all day long going through Duncannon. It's like a railroad Symphony constantly playing. I happen to find it nice. I went into the only place open serving breakfast. I recognized 5 of the hikers who were in there. HoneyMoon and Traveler Ginger and his hiking buddy. They were maybe 11 hikers there. I got a double order of vegi omelette and home fries. I can't say the food was delicious. While I was working with my gear outside this woman, Nancy, who owns the store next to the breakfast place offered to give me a ride to the grocery store which was about a mile uphill with no shoulder. She didn't open till 11. She does Nancy's pretzels. So I finished up my food and ran to the store with Nancy. She was delightful. She lived in Duncannon for 30 years and was quite the chatterbox about the history. She also talked about a rude hiker, the first one she ever met, Hard Knocks. Nancy said she told him to get out of her store. When I left her store I quietly left a $10 on the table. She never asked for money. I was happy to leave a $10 for the trouble it saved me. She came out and gave it back. She said she doesn't do nice for money. She was really sweet. I was back on the trail at 11. I got to the shelter by 1 pm. Instead of staying there, I hiked another 11 miles. When I had come into town, Chimney and the crew were upstairs on the balconey accross the street at the hotel. They gave me a big shout out. It felt good very welcoming. It's more comfortable when you know people on the trail, rather than just crossing paths with strangers. I knew Chimney and the crowd were probably heading to that further shelter so I figured I'd catch them there. It was a steep climb out of Duncannon. First I crossed the Juanita Big River which then flowed right into the Susquehanna. It was quite a lot of bridge walking and a lot of water moving by. I love rivers. It was a delight. I walk by a sign in town. It said in1936 the water was over my head on the Main Street. I think that was the Johnstown Flood. I was making my way up a steep climb out of Duncannon. I was not carrying any water. Halfway up the sun started the try to come out. It was suddenly very hot and muggy. I started to heat up quite intensely. I am NOT good at hiking in the heat. I'm going to have to be careful about that. Like a wet towel on a baby's back, suddenly the cloud ceiling dropped, it was foggy and cold. Cool breeze was more swirlling by like it might even rain. I felt much better. I heard that it was a very steep downhill of 300 granite steps to get water at the next shelter. So 6 miles ahead, of my final destination shelter, I stopped, drank a liter of water and carried a liter and 1/2 in with me the last 6 miles. The last 3 miles got to be a bit of a tired push. I passed a couple at the three mile mark. They said the shelter was overloaded with people. They were going to town. I thought it might be busy but not overloaded. I thought Chimney and five of his friends would be there. I was correct. There were also three women hiking together, and a couple of other people. I got my spot right away. The last spot on the second tier sleeping area. This was a big shelter that slept 16 + people. Chimmy & the gang had gone down to get water. When they came up they had a lot to say. Good Push said it was the hardest uphill he done since Georgia. Another said he could feel his heart beating in his temples and thought he was going to pass out. They all thought I was pretty smart to bring my own water in. I got up from the table. I went up to the second tier and started laying down. The boys were staying up a little later then usual tonight chatting it up pretty loud. They were talking about that top five things important in life their lives. Freedom, alcohol, pot, seems to be in the top of the list. Not one of them mentioned finding a significant other and having a relationship with someone to cherish and hold, protect and share a life with. I had some thoughts but I kept them to myself. Ibex came in. She made the 22 miles from the last shelter as well. Logs came in. He started April first. He's doing 30 miles a day and figures be done in 90 days or less. As Chimney and the crew came up to go to sleep, Good Push asked me if I be getting up and out at 5. I said yes. He said good, he wanted to be up. They were going to do a Dirty 30.During the night there was this constant knawing sound. Like somebody was chewing on wood boards. Everybody was awake. I don't know what time it was. Somebody said what is that? Logs got up and chase whatever was away. It was too cold to lay on your silky or be in it. It was too warm to be under your sleeping bag. I did not sleep well.