Date: 2018-08-09
From: ClarkÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Mountain RD 

To: Duncannon
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: scattered clouds

On our way to the start location this morning Hugs asked if it felt like I was going to work.  Some days it does, but very much unlike any other job I¢ve ever had. Sometimes it¢s hard to get going, but the days are always good.  I was greeted by a rushing creek this morning. The woods had the feel of rain, but no drops fell. It was nice feeling cool dampness as I began my first climb up 1386ft. The grade was steep. I was pretty much by myself all morning. I walked in silence listening to the sounds of a chainsaw coming up from farmlands below. There were occasional chirps and tweets, and sometimes all I could hear was the breeze blowing by my ears.  I love the breeze!  The woods was pretty still today except for the always busy and always present Daddy Longlegs. I¢m convinced they rule the woods at night! There is literally one or two of them on every rock. Feeling like nothing was happening in the woods today, I was taken completely by surprise when a really BIG Grouse flew off to my right. I jumped a foot in the air! Then a few more feet up the trail a second one did the same thing. My heart was pounding in my chest for a few seconds. I guess Grouse come in pairs.  That was enough excitement for one morning. I was close to a shelter and it was almost noon. Hugs and I had planned to meet there for lunch so I took the blue blaze. I had already eaten my chicken salad sandwich before Hugs arrived. I also packed fresh cherries. Mmmm good! It was a great lunch! After lunch I tried to put the hammer down. Still had 12 miles to go and today I had a time constraint for a late chiropractor appointment.  I noticed several nice little campsites along the trail. Pennsylvania does a great job with them too. Today¢s lunch shelter was more of the same. Absolutely fabulous! Just past the Tentsite, coming towards me was Solo! Hugs and I did a flip back to Duncannon today so we got to see him again. I was quite surprised actually, because I really figured he had blown by us. No other NOBOs are out there though. They¢ve all either flipped, quit, or pulled ahead.  Today¢s terrain was ever changing.  There were lots of rocks! Three or 4 times I had to climb boulders. At one point I felt it was a little dangerous. Large boulders about the size of a VW Beetle WERE the ridge...on a slant! I managed to scrape my knee but otherwise made it through like a pro. There were a few open spaces between peaks with great views of the town below. I have noticed that I feel very close to towns, or roads while hiking this area. I frequently hear cars drive by, or city noises coming up the mountain from below.  The noises don¢t seem to bother the deer though. Today I came upon a fawn grazing on leaves and berries. She was so cute with her little white spots. I saw a large deer just a few minutes later. She tried to hide from me in the bushes... it didn¢t work!  Shorty after the big deer I began my 3 mile descent into Duncannon.  Papa Big Swig was there patiently waiting for us. We grabbed a pizza to go for dinner so I could make my 8pm chiropractor appointment on time. I did, and he was great. Until Next Time Blue Raccoon (2018) Where¢s your faith?