Date: 2021-05-24
From: Raven Rock Shelter 

To: Waynesboro, PA - Cobblestone Hotel
Miles today: 5.9
Weather: overcast clouds

We left Raven Rock Shelter anxious to get into town and relax in a real bed overnight! We had our packs covered and were dressed in rain gear. Good thing because we walked in the rain for a while.We had a rock scramble to go over and David fell coming down but was OK. Some of these rocks are huge and you have to hang onto your poles while using your hands to work your way over the rocks. You also have to watch how you move because of the weight on your back. It¢s easy to tip one way or the other or lose your balance completely. We came into a beautiful park called Penmar Park. From 1877-1943 there was an amusement park on that site. There was supposed to be a museum about it at the park but we didn¢t see it. Figured we would ask our ride, Samurai Blue, about it. We crossed the Mason-Dixon line - the border of Maryland and Pennsylvania. We are now in Pennsylvania, 6 states down, 8 to go. We are in Waynesboro, PA to be exact. We met Samurai Blue at the intersection of Penmar Rd and the AT. He has a blue Honda Odyssey the same color as ours. He hiked the trail in 2015 after retiring from the Navy. He said he would take us wherever we needed to go. Just call him. Samurai Blue gave us a quick tour of where things were in town near our hotel. (He was born and raised here and then returned here after retiring.) Important things like restaurants and Walmart. He drove us to the Cobblestone Hotel and we were able to check into our room early and leave our packs. He then drove us to KFC for lunch. He declined our offer to join us. Just said to call if we needed a ride to Walmart or the hotel after. We hadn¢t had KFC in probably 10 years so that was our choice for lunch. After eating we decided it will probably be another 10 years before we go again. Pretty greasy. We then walked over to Walmart. It was raining slightly but we still had our rain gear on so we were OK. It was Walmart so our attire fit right in. Haha (Look up Frogg Togs. That¢s what I had on with hiking boots and gaiters and a buff. I looked like I just came outta the hills. Oh, wait! I did!)By the time we were done shopping, I was whipped. Hadn¢t slept well the night before so I called Blue for a ride back to the hotel. His wife, Kathy, showed up instead and drove us over. We felt bad because the hotel was literally right behind the Walmart! But Kathy said she needed to go to Walmart anyway so it worked out well. We thanked Kathy again for the ride and apologized again for her having to drive us  to right behind the Walmart and then dragged all our crap up to the room. We pulled the tent and canopy out, which were soaked. I took them down to the parking lot and held them out in the wind to dry them. The breeze was damp because of the rain but at least they weren¢t dripping. I took them up to the room and used the hair dryer to finish drying them. David did laundry while I worked on the tent. I washed dishes and cleaned things then took a long hot shower. David went in and soaked in the tub. Then we both relaxed. I had thought I won the poison ivy war but, no. It seems that I must have gotten poison ivy under my bra and now my right side was streaked with red slashes of it. I also noticed blisters of it between my fingers. Arghh!!!!Samurai Blue mentioned that he had also picked up a hiker named Lighthouse and Lighthouse had told him about getting $100 from another hiker. We told him our story too. He said he was just amazed by it. Lighthouse said he had met 4 other people who had been gifted. One of them was Dallas, who had camped right behind us the night before. We had an awesome night¢s sleep. The hotel is A-1. Hiked 5.9 miles to Penmar Rd for pickup.