Date: 2017-05-24
From: Darlington Shelter, PA

To: Doyle Hotel, Duncannon, PA
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: light rain

5/24/17, Doyle Hotel, Duncannon, PAMiles hiked: 822.2,  Miles to go: 1362.6We had rain overnight - just enough to make my tarp wet, but not enough to get the rest of my equipment wet. By morning, the sun was out and it was a good morning for hiking. We had breakfast with Darwin & Company and headed out while they were still packing up. No worries, though, we knew they would all pass us on the trail. Shortly after leaving the shelter, we came upon The Machine sleeping beside the trail. He had missed the trail for the shelter in the dark last night. Once again, I hadn't seen him since TN, so it was great to see him again. After visiting a few minutes, we moved on. Good Life, an 18 year old guy from Asheville who's been hiking around us the past few days (he was with us at the motel in Shippensburg), caught up with us and hiked with us the rest of the way into Duncannon. At one point as we climbed up to the top of the ridge, we came upon a group of 7 or 8 middle aged women who get together every year to day-hike portions of the AT.  We have seen them 5 or 6 times over the past week. They have taken to calling me "Kiltman". They asked us to take their group picture. In return, they took a picture of the three of us. Good Life says that, as we passed, they were surreptitiously taking pictures of my kilt. Hey - when you got it, you got it!We eventually caught up with Ringer, who had left camp ahead of us this morning and she joined us. Pretty soon, Darwin passed us. Then, one by one, the rest of the Company began passing by. Everything was right with the world - just like old times. We didn't care. We were enjoying the hike, with Good Life and me belting out tunes from Jesus Christ Superstar at the tops of our lungs, while 1st Sgt and Ringer followed behind. I think Good Life was both surprised that I knew all the lyrics and that I could carry a tune. Once again, when you got it, you got it!As we hiked, the trail became rockier and rockier. And our feet became hurtier and hurtier. It's definitely time to replace these trail runners with sturdier shoes. I have already worn holes through the toeboxes on each shoe and the thin soles have left my feet bruised and sore. We eventually stumbled over the rocks and hobbled into town. Lumber Jill, Oz, and the Machine caught up to us just as we reached town. So, a parade of seven hikers made its way to Main Street and the Doyle Hotel. Ah, the Doyle Hotel. What can you say about the Doyle?The Doyle Hotel is another AT icon. It was built in the early 1900s and has received no maintenance or cleaning since. It is, without a doubt, the rattiest hotel I have ever stayed in. It also has a bar on the first floor that makes great burgers and other assorted bar food.  We all gathered in the bar at the Doyle and had lunch. 1st Sgt and I are getting off trail this weekend to visit our wives. His wife is flying in and meeting up with us to drive to Asheville. They will drop me off with Marguerite in Kingsport, TN, to spend the weekend in Knoxville. As a result, we've decided to stay at the Doyle to facilitate the process. Our friends were disappointed to hear that we were not hiking out with them. They had hoped we would have a few more days together. One by one, as they finished up lunch and headed out, we said our goodbyes and wished them safe travels. I was particularly sad to see Lumber Jill leave. Except for my hiking buddy 1st Sgt, she is my favorite thru hiker on the trail. After they headed out, we spent the rest of the afternoon cleaning up and lounging around. Good Life stayed in town to take care of some college registration business and is sharing our room. Gibby also stayed in town and is across the hall. He will be gone by the time we get up in the morning. Ringer headed out this afternoon and will spend the evening with the gang on the trail. Brie, Sitting Bull, and Captain are somewhere ahead of us. We feel a little left behind; but, that's OK because tomorrow we get to see our wives! Yay!