Date: 2015-06-14
From: Stealth Camping at Pipeline View

To: Duncannon, Pennsylvania 
Miles today: 6.6
Weather: scattered clouds

My alarm was set for 5:20 but the sun, heat, birds and bugs had me up at 5:00. I forgot how early the sun comes up in the summer at the higher latitudes. Just as I started to pull my stuff together a very short rain storm came thru - just enough to wet my rain fly and cloud over the developing sunrise.The plan was to get to Duncannon as early as possible. I wanted to stay at the infamous and greatly delapitated Doyle Hotel, and they do not take reservations. First come first serve only.After the rain stopped, I was packed up and on the trail by 6:45. The rocky part supposedly started right after the pipeline. But I did not think the rocks were any worse than in GA, NC, or the Smokies.I stopped briefly at the Cove Mountain shelter. Apparently they have problems there with porcupines chewing the shelter. It is a shame because the shelter was beautifully built.I felt good and was making good time despite the rocks, so I continued on. I stopped briefly at Hawk Rock to enjoy the view of Duncannon. THEN the rocks became a big problem. The descent into Duncannon is pretty steep and full of rocks, including loose rocks. I was so glad I had hiking sticks, the ground was dry, and it was daylight. I carefully picked my way down, slipping a few times. Once down, the AT is a road walk into Duncannon.   A very hot road walk. I stopped briefly at a gas station for ice cream and Diet Coke, and enjoyed both inside with the airconditioning. Then I went on in search of the infamous Doyle Hotel.I found it. Just like the pictures I have seen. It was tired, haggard, and obviously neglected, more inside than out. I secured a room - $25 plus tax, but it was no bargain. The room had a small single bed, a dirty old fan, a window that opened,and dust/spider webs everywhere. No a/c, no TV. However, it did have a dirty shared bath down the hall, exposed wires and pipes, mold and mildew, and holes in the walls and ceilings. Just HOW does this place stay open??!!??I met a section hiker, "New Song", who told me all the other hotels like this built by Anheiser Busch burned down years ago because the design made them fire traps. Great!! We saw no sprinklers or smoke alarms. I decided I would sleep fully dressed with my valuables and head lamp close by.Some guys in the bar suggested an antique store down the road. On the way I stopped for ice cream at 3-B. It was good, but a little pricey.   The antique store is in an old sled factory. I enjoyed looking at the antiques and the displays about the old factory. On the way back to the Doyle I stopped to talk with folks doing an archeological dig at the old Clark Ferry Tavern. They were extremely friendly and gave me some history about Duncannon.   A little further down the road I had noticed a sign in a yard offering hikers a place to pitch their tents. Sure enough, there were hikers setting up tents in the back yard and making themselves at home on the patio. The home owner was not there. Back at the Doyle I had dinner with New Song. Given the dirty conditions of the rooms, we did not even want to think about what the kitchen was like. The food was good and reasonably priced. So we just enjoyed our meals.After a quick call to my husband, I got ready for bed. There was a bad storm predicted and I wanted to take the opportunity to sleep indoors. Given the condition of the Doyle, I hope I made the right decision.The AT is calling. But first I need to wait out the storm and survive my stay at the infamous Doyle Hotel.