Date: 2015-07-09
From: Cove Mountain Shelter

To: Duncannon - Hands N Mouth's Home
Miles today: 4.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Sleeping in a I only intended to hike down into town. I made breakfast and had an extra cup of coffee while I packed up and got ready. It was a slow, but extremely beautiful steep hike down into Duncannon with my sandals looking down at the river below. But I had planned on using my sandals in a pinch in just these circumstances and they performed as well as I had imagined. When I reached the road in town there were wineberries galore along the road and so I began gorging myself and I also picked both of my 20oz bottles full and walked into town. It was the saddest looking town on the trail with most of the main street looking seriously dilapidated and neglected. At the Gulf Mart I bought a coffee and a new lighter to replace one that had run out. Stopping in at the Doyle for the obligatory beer, I inquired and was directed to the trail angel- Mary's house. I walked there, climbed onto the porch and knocked, but she wasn't home at the time. Raiding the hiker box, I not only found food, I also found a single pair of purple Brooks Ravenas, womens hiking shoes that fit me perfectly and were still in good condition. They matched a purple bandanna that I had found and packed out at the Raven Rock shelter so I rocked them together! I replaced my sandals with them and they were snug but fitting. I then called Hands N Mouth from the local Tattoo Parlor across from Trail Angel Mary's house and he said that he was leaving and would be there in a half hour. I waited at the tattoo shop where I charged my phone and visited with the employees and owners. They are pretty good people there who complained that the drug trade was destroying the town and keeping renovation from happening. It has a wonderful location along a large and beautiful river but is handicapped by circumstances. Hands N Mouth showed up and I threw my gear in the trunk and we were off. First we went to a Best Buy where they wouldn't allow me to return my Ipod. It was too late for REI he said and asked if I wanted to stay at his house. I said yes and we were on the way. When there he got a call from the Texans - a family of 7 who were thru-hiking and slack packing the section so we grabbed his father's truck and went to pick up two of them and the packs of the other family members who were hiking. When we picked them up it began to rain furiously with thunder, lightening and a tornado watch went into effect for the newt few hours. The family had begun about 2 hours before and were well on their way when the rain hit. We dropped them off at a hotel across the river and returned to his house where I met his family. I was given a towel and was soon clean from a shower and throwing all my clothing into the washer, wearing loaner clothes. As soon as we returned upstairs I was served an authentic homemade Vietnamese dinner of rice, meat and a fish sauce along with fruit! It was delicious! His dad had a tiny keg of Heineken Beer and offered me a glass which I gratefully received. (When I first discovered beer all of my friends went for the cheapest beer while I had fallen in love with Heineken and ST. Pauli Girl!) When I was done I was offered and gratefully received a refill. I had put my hoard of wine-berries in the refrigerator for breakfast. Hands and I played chess that evening and he is a very skilled player who gave me a good run for my money over several games before bed. I sprawled out on the couch and was given a blanket and pillow. I slept very well that night!