Date: 2004-04-18
From: Boiling Springs,PA

To: Cove Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 21.6
Weather: broken clouds

Log entry: 78Start time: 0900End time: 1815Morning weather: Sunny, warm, low 70sAfternoon weather: Sunny and hot, maybe 80Evening weather: Clear and warmBreakfast: Omlettes, fried potatoes, veggie bacon, cornbread muffins, OJLunch: Brownies, vanilla wafers with frosting, candy barsTrail description: I know I have said this before, but today had to be the flatest yet. The trail climbs down the Blue Ridge Mtns just before Boiling Springs and then crosses the Cumberland valley before leaving it as you climb up to Darlington shelter area, not sure the name of the mtn. But anyways forabout 14 miles you walk through fields and easements. We did 12 through the valley today which was a scortcher in the mid-April sun, I can't imagine this stretch when its the middle of summer. After the march across the valley there were a couple good climbs which felt good to move the bad blood which had pooled in my feet. Some rocky parts before Cove mtn shelter but Smiley moved us over that right quick.People: Mother Hen and family, Smiley, a bunch of day hikers and 2 dudes from out west, nice and cool guysAnimals: Squirrels, a wild turkey, misc tweety birdsMoney spent: $10 donation to Mother HenComplaints: My feet hurt and it was a smidge hot but I don't feel it right to complain about the weather.Thoughts: A great night of sleep which was interupted exactly 4 times by a train's whistle. Just think if I would have stayed at the backpacker's campsite. Yikes. Smiley and I were packing up when Mother Hen called us down for breakfast. Whata feast it really was. "Nothing special" she called it but we thought it waspretty right on. Even if it was all vegetarian stuff. I must say of the 2 veggiemeals I have been fed on the trail I have left each one very full and eventhinking that I was eating glorified rabbit food.It was diffucult to leave Mother Hen's pad due to her hospitality but all goodthings must come to an end and Smiley and I pushed on.I did not pay attention to our MPH today as all the road crossings made itdifficult to determine ones current location. Usually the opposite is true androad crossings are your only definate point of reference. The following is atypical hiker conversation when hikers are following the Thru-hikers Handbook:Hiker 1: Is this the "stream" or is it "Jennings Creek"? Hiker 2: If it is, do you think we've gone 1.6 miles since the "unnamed forestroad"? H1: The "unnamed forest road"? I thought that was "jeep road".So anyways, we just walked today and I didn't crunch numbers. It was peacefulactualy. Smiley and I had good conversation all day. For the first time, Iactually thought about all the cool people that I am missing out on meeting. Imean I've hiked with only a handful of other northbounders at one point oranother and as Smiley told me about the herds I really realized that I ammissing out on a major Trail experience. Conversly it is nice not to worry about shelter space or fight for attention and a shower from people like Mother Hen.We stopped for a 35 minute lunch before the climb up to Darlington and stoppedagain at the shelter where we talked briefly with 2 older guys headed out for 30days. One guy was from Idaho, I'd love to travel there. It has always seemed to me like a forgotten state, nestled in some of the most beautifuly rugged parts of he country.Before long we found the sign to the shelter and decided not to push ontoDuncannon. We both decided our feet were too busted to push on.Cove Mt shelter is top shelf, great carpentry. We chilled a while in theshelter then loitered at the spring where we drank and drank. It was relaxingsitting on the cool rocks sipping on mt spring water.   Smiley is a terriblyknowledgeable dude and we talked at length about, well, purifying water. I willspare you the details.Then we ate, and talked the whole time about food. After dinner I asked Smileyall kinds of questions about Ray Jardin's book Beyond Backpacking. Smiley is atrue disciple of the book but also has his own opinions and comments which heput into a 10 page essay. I can't wait to read it. From the sounds of things Ishould read Ray's book but I am afraid it would turn me into a geek. Oh wait...