Date: 2009-05-09
From: James Fry (Tagg Run) Shelter

To: Boiling Springs,PA
Miles today: 12.2

Saturday,May 9,2009Day # 86am Everyone starts to stir...climbing out of their sleeping bags, packing it all up & hoping for a day with NO RAIN!The forecast is for low 70s & 30% chance of showers.The Scouts were a bit NOISY last nite but that doesnt keep tired hikers from falling asleep early...by 7am we were all fueling up (breakfast) for the day...after my food drop box...I now have POP TARTS for brkfst & my doubly strong "COWBOY COFFEE"..."Model-T" is having his usual oatmeal while "Jigsaw" has his Tea & bagels (smeared with peanut butter)"Mountain City" & "Morning Sun" are outta the shelter first...followed shortly by us...We immediatley travel up & over Pine GTrove Rd...then cross Huntes Run Rd(PA34)..."Model-T" had told us of a good grocery store (Green Mountain Grocery)w/munchies (Snickers, cokes, chips,etc) & BIG SANDWICHES...I stopped...got some re-supply here(including Duct Tape)including a BIG TURKEY SANDWICH(w/ PepperJack cheeze) for later...I picked up more band-aids, & bandages & a few wet wipes..(the hikers' shower)Snickers Bars..I had a DIET COKE while i was shopping...Woulda had a cup of "real" coffee..but all they had was the "FLAVORED" coffees ("Coffee with a SKIRT!")I hiked back to the trail...2/10 mile...apparently no one else stopped but, me & "Model-T".I see lots of wildflowers again today as I hike back into the woods...the Sun coming out...makes me notice more of the beauty around me...The Dogwoods are just now blooming here in PA & the wild violets are blooming as well...so many wildflowers...but I dont know their names...I hike across Hwy 94 (near Mt.Holly Springs,PA) & then a nice climb complete with large rocks, boulders & yes we have to hike all over the rocks (NOT around them like a sane person)...this occurs abt 3 times in a span of as many miles...before heading down to Whiskey Spring Rd. then back up for another climb up...UP...UP & by the Alec Kennedy Shelter (the sign says the shelter is 700 yards straight up...NO WAY would I stop there!)I have 4 miles to go...NOT gonna add 2 more that dont count...I start my descend....then back up to Center Point Knob (1040ft elevation) & I stop & eat my turkey sandwich here while sitting on a boulder (1:30pm)Man!...That is one good tasting Turkey Sandwich!and I top it off with a SNICKERS BAR!.....BONUS!!!(saving my 2nd one for supper)Drank almost a whole Litre of water & then back to the trail...Seen a few weekenders out today...& the Scouts too were taking a break as I passed them a mile or so back before the shelter turn-off.Up..Up..Up..I climb to the peak & then descend to Yellow Breeches Creek & then for the last 3 miles I was walking thru fields of clover, hay, soybeans, etc.then into Boiling Springs, PA.I spot "Model-T" @ the Appalachian Trail Regional HeadQuarters office talking to some friends & fans. He tells me theres been a change of plans...he is heading back to Damascus tonight...& Me & "Jigsaw" will be staying with his friend, Bruce Levy just outside of town @ his house.I take off the pack for a few minutes...& rest...then "Model-T" takes me over to Bruce's house...a beautiful 2 story log home (he built himself)..on several acres...then he has a shelter (he also built) in his back yard & beyond that a 2 story barn like structure that has a large Sauna in it....WOW!...a man of many talents."Jigsaw" is already here...apparently Bruce had met him along with "Mountain City",& "Morning Sun" earlier & took them to the store to pick up somefood for supper..."Calling Card" is here too...So the gang is all here..."Model-T" left & headed South to Damascus...THANKS for hiking with us "MT"...Hope you SELL a ton O' books @ TRAIL DAYS!I meet Bruce, his son, Riley & girlfriend Susan...they have a lovely home.Nice folks, kinda "free spirits"...We store our gig in the shelter in the back yard...do a few chores for Bruce..(clean up some fallen limbs & brush around his yard,etc)...then take showers! (woooooooo-hoooooooo!)Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh CLEAN CLOTHES!LIFE IS GOOD!5pm We chow down on chicken, potato salad, salad, potato wedges, & then Ice Cream for dessert!   Swwweeeeeeeeet!After I write in the journal...its LIGHTS out for me.We are taking a "ZERO" Day (NO HIKING MILES) tomorrow!Yea!!! "Calling Card", "Mountain City" & "Morning Sun" are hitting the trail first thing in the morning..."Jigsaw" & I plan to catch a ride into town with Bruce abt 10am tomorrow (Sunday)...we'llprobably stay the night @ the Red Cardinal B&B in Carlisle,PA & they'll shuttle us back to the Boiling Springs,Post Office to pick up my boots first thing on Monday morning.We hear they are very "hiker friendly" people.Goodnight!                              12.2 miles today