Date: 2003-07-19
From: Darlington Shelter

To: Duncannon, PA
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: scattered clouds

We got a later start than planned today...it was actually nice to sleep in a bit. I did need to take a vicodin again last night for my legs. I'm hoping that a day off in Duncannon will ease the problems that I've been having with my legs. I will also invest in some gel inserts to see if that will help. Froggie Pete left early...we heard him rustling around, but didn't have the energy to join him. We got started around 9:30...an easy start with a downhill. I knew that wasn't going to last. We had a major up fairly early on...it was really steep, compared to what we'd been doing lately. Once we had made it to the top, the rocks kicked in. I knew it would be a long day . We had planned on taking a break at the shelter 5 miles before town. I got there first, to see JimboTrek getting ready to leave. He said he hadn't seen any snakes...I grabbed the register to see what he was referring to. There were several black snake and rattlesnake sightings mentioned throu!ghout. I didn't see any, either. I met a southbound section hiker, Christian, who is planning on doing the Trail next year. He was looking for any advice I could give him. Randy showed up, and also gave him a few tips. Gerri had decided not to come down to the shelter...a wise decision, as it was 2/10 of a mile downhill, quite steep, too. We finished eating and went back up to meet Gerri. They (Randy, Gerri and JimboTrek as well) had been talking to a group of kids from the city, answering questions about hiking the Trail. I would have liked to have been there, but had already been down at the shelter for awhile...no big deal. We started out again...it was soooo rocky. It felt as if it took forever to do the last few miles. I was afraid that I would slide on some of the scree that we were hiking over, but managed to stay aright. There was a frustrating bit of trail where we went way down, then suddenly veered back up...it felt as if we went all the way back up t!o where we had started from. We finally made it to the road, and wentinto town. This is another town where the Trail goes right through the main street. We were going to The Doyle Hotel, where most hikers stay when they're in town. The Doyle is a classic hotel...bathrooms on each floor, small rooms. I sat down at the bar, which is on the first floor, ordered a big (22 oz for $2) beer and registered for a room...I was sharing one with JimboTrek. After the day I had had...all those rocks...I needed a beer. Chafe Master J was at the bar, as was Two Speeds. I had been wanting to meet Two Speeds for ages...he has the most hilarious register entries.   I went online to check my e-mail, and a local Trail Angel sent over another beer. I was feeling very warm and fuzzy about Duncannon. I went up to the room, settled my stuff in and took a shower. A bunch of us went to eat at the pub, which had very good food. Afterwards, we went over to the Italian restaurant, where Snot Rocket and Iceberg Slim were. They had Guinness on tap there...uh-oh!. I only had one...then headed back to the Doyle. As I was walking down the street, I saw Dude (not The Dude, but Dude) walking toward me. I said "Dude?" and he replied "dude!" Then he told me that Very Small Animal was at the Doyle...I ran! It was sooooo great to see her...I gave her a huge hug! She told me that Reason and Cruiser were only two days behind, and were slacking their way into Boiling Springs, then Duncannon, to try and catch up with me. I was planning on taking one zero day, then headng out with Randy and Gerri, but I figured I needed to stay an extra day to see my Trail Mom and Dad again. There was live music at the Doyle, and many hikers there...we had a fabu time with VSA, Dude, Jester (who hiked in 2000 and does Trail Magic now) and the rest of our crew. We stayed up quite late, acted very silly and wore Jester's great collection of hats. It just doesn't get any better than this!