Date: 2007-06-10
From: US11 - Middlesex, PA - Super 8 Motel

To: Duncannon, PA - Doyle Hotel
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: overcast clouds

I had a very slow start this morning after staying out past 1 AM last night. I went across the street to the Middlesex Diner for breakfast at about 9:00, then returned to the Super 8 until checkout time at 11:00. I walked the 1/4 mile back to the pedestrian bridge where the AT crosses Hwy US 11. I climbed up the embankment to the bridge and heard someone say "Hi Diesel". I looked up and saw Ziola. I hadn't seen her since before Waynesboro (nearly 200 miles back). We hiked together for a little while, then I fell behind. I was hiking pretty slow today.There were a couple of climbs this morning of about 1,000 feet. The climbs seemed difficult, but I think it was mostly due to the hot weather. I can't imagine having to climb the 3,000 ft plus uphills back in North Carolina if the temps were in the 80s or higher. Most of the trail was fairly level and enjoyable today. I stopped at Darlington shelter and cooked Lipton noodles for lunch. I stayed there for about an hour and a half. As I left the shelter, I saw Breadless Horseman and Pythagoras. I had not seen these guys since the Shenandoahs. The afternoon hike seemed to drag on forever the terrain wasn't bad for the most part, but I wasn't feeling energetic today. There were a couple of overlook views today. They were great places to stop and enjoy the views. There haven't been many overlooks recently. I did enjoy the hike through the farm land in the valley the past couple of days. It was a good change of pace and scenery. The Gypsy Moth caterpillars are everywhere. Sometimes you can hardly take a step with out stepping on one. They are shredding the leaves of some of the trees until they are stripped bare. The ground is covered with pieces of leaves. I have seen traps and other measures taken in other places to prevent them from spreading in places further south. I haven't seen any attempts to stop them here. They seem to only eat a specific type of tree leaves and don't bother other types. It looks like they will eat themselves out of existence. There will be an awful lot of moths flying around later.The trail got rockier in the evening and I finally made it to Duncannon, PA around 8:30 PM. The trail goes right through town and I followed it to the Doyle Hotel. The hotel was built in 1900 by Anheuser Busch and shows the wear of 100 years. There is a large banner hanging up that says "Welcome Hikers". I stepped inside to the Tavern on the first floor. There must have been 20 hikers in there, most of whom I have already met. I was greeted by Vicky who showed me where to sit my pack down, then I grabbed a stool at the bar. A few minutes later Vicky came over and told me they were full and didn't have any rooms available. I was tired and dreaded the fact I was now going to have to walk another mile out of town to a campground. Then Vicky said there was one other room, but I couldn't open one of the windows because a bird was nesting there. I said I would take it. Vicky went and talked to Pam and then came back to tell me that room was also already rented. She told me I could stay on the floor in one of the other rooms for $5 if it was OK with whoever was in the room. I just decided I would have a couple beers and then head out to the campground. I snore sometimes and didn't want to disturb others. About 15 minutes later Vicky returned to tell me some other hikers agreed to share one of the larger rooms freeing up a single room for me. I was very happy. The Doyle Hotel is an awesome place.