Date: 2004-06-22
From: Alex Kennedy Shelter, PA

To: US. 11/ Carlilse, PA
Miles today: 11.9

Once again 5am came too early after going to sleep at 8pm. Surprisingly, the shelter was full last night for the first time since the Shenandoah National Park.   The shelter is located about four miles south of Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania and we decided to arrive in time for breakfast at the Lakeside Cafe, which has changed owners and is now known as JC's Country Time Cafe.Walking into Boiling Springs was really nice. I expected a dumpy town, but the trail runs along the perimeter of a crystal clear lake that is fed by the "boiling" spring. There is a park that surrounds the lake with park benches, a gravel walking path (the AT), plenty of ducks and geese, and it is nicely landscaped. The "boiling" spring is a little farther towards the center of town surrounded by a sidewalk. It is an opening in the Earth that gushes with clear, cold water that feeds the lake.The first stop in town was to the cafe for breakfast (again). JC's cafe has great coffee, bagels, and danishes. I had to laugh when Tree Frog ordered a milkshake for breakfast. I just didn't expect that. I should have ordered one, too. After breakfast, most of us had to visit the ATC office, post office, ATM, pay phone and grocery store to take care of "business."   The elevation profile for today's hike was mostly flat from Boiling Springs to Carlisle. While looking at the map, I was afraid that this could possibly be one location of the notorious Pennsylvania rocks - a pathway loaded with ankle-turners, but thankfully, it was not. I understand that the rocks are mainly from Port Clinton to the Delaware Water Gap.   From Boiling Springs on towards the former Darlington shelter, or at least to the U.S. Highway 11 crossing, it is mainly a flat walk between acres of corn and wheat fields. It was such a welcome change from hiking in the woods.Along several sections of the trail during the past 1,000 miles, the trail has been routed through farm lands. I really enjoy that. It is such a welcome break from traveling through the woods. I like to be able to see the horizon every once in a while.   I like the variety of walking through open meadows, farm lands, and occasionally a road walk into or near a small town. In some areas along the trail today there were lots of places to pick wild strawberries and cherries, blackberries (some are ripe now), blueberries, and mullberries (sp?). I've never knew what mullberries were, but Sox pointed them out to me and they were along the trail in abundance. We just walked a ways, picked berries, walked some more, then ate more berries.Today's destination was the U.S. Hwy 11 intersection with the trail, near Carlisle, Pennsylvania. This is roughly half-way between the Alex Kennedy Shelter and Duncanon, Pennsylvania. The Darlington Shelter, that is between Boiling Springs and Duncanon was demolished a few days ago so that a new one could be built. This stop at U.S. 11 seemed to be a good place to end the day. I have no idea why the old shelter was destroyed before the new one could be built. The stop at the motel today got us (Me, Sox, Tree Frog, and A.D.) out of the rain and thunderstorms associated with a cold front that was moving through the area. Tomorrow, it's on to Duncanon and the "famous" Doyle Hotel. I am very much looking forward to a couple of zero days. I'm completely beat and exhausted. My feet could really use a break, too. Here is a map of my progress, so far.