Date: 2018-05-24
From: Cove Mountain Shelter

To: Stealth Campsite mile 1167.7
Miles today: 23.4
Weather: broken clouds

Today started great. Up and out by 7 and I rolled into town around 8:30 which was actually earlier than I had expected. The only complaints consist of "breaking trail" in the sense that being the first one up means I get to walk through all the spider webs that cross the trail. Also the bugs were bad today and they love to dive bomb my eyes and ears which is insanely annoying! As I walked into Duncannon I stopped at the first gas station I saw to resupply. I just wanted to get that done with. I picked up most of my food and made my way to the woman at the register. As I strolled the three isles of the store she had been warmly greeting each person coming in with a smile. When I got up, she angrily stared at me and begrudgingly rang in my junk food. I had left my pack outside, been very considerate and I think my only fault was smelling bad but she did not want anything to do with me. She must have had a bad experience with a hiker but it seems like a bad business model for the gas station you hit in town literally on the trail.Anyway, I moved on and next walked to the Doyle Hotel. Closed. Apparently they don't open until 11. I've never heard of that before but I needed to get my pant leg. I walked across the street to Goodies Breakfast joint and sat at the bar. The waiter confirmed nobody would be there until 11am then served me my breakfast and coffee. I sat with a flip flopper named Mr T, for having a bunch of tea bags, and considered my options. After Mr T left, Swoosh rolled in. He had stayed at the shelter that I tented at last night and sat next to me for food. I told him my dilemma and he noted he was getting off trail for 5 days like I had for a family reunion. He then offered to grab the pant leg at 11 and send it in the mail to my house. What a guy! I gave him some money for postage and my address then thanked him a bunch for his help before leaving.On my way out of town, I stopped at a mini Mart for a few dinner meals I couldn't get at the gas station. As I looked for what I needed, the woman at the counter started yelling at some teenage kid leaving the store. I walked up front as he was exiting and I asked if he had skimped her on money. He had revved up his motorized bicycle (literally a bike with a motor attached) and began leaving when she said yes. He had only shorted her 50 cents so I told her to add that to my bill thinking I would build a rapport at this place for future hikers to go to instead of the Sunoco. The woman was very nice and I didn't think anything of it as I walked out.The trail walked down a neighborhood street of Duncannon for roughly 2 or 3 miles and as I strolled along minding my business and saying hi to folks on walks,I hear a motor coming down the street. The teenage kid wizzes by me back toward the store and I give him a sort of evil stare haha. Only a few minutes later, he drives back from the direction of the store and up next to me. I stop and look at him and say "you need to go pay your bill." He complains that he didn't have the money and that he had found a quarter on the ground. I explain that that is not how this thing works and he "bikes" off angrily. Next thing I know, he's driving back towards me. He goes "I'm not trying to start anything but I've worked hard for the good reputation I have in this neighborhood mowing everyone's lawns and being a good kid." I responded saying I don't think he's a bad kid but that he needs to pay for what he buys. He ignorantly responds "she didnt hear me say I was going to get the money and plus she doesn't speak English so she shouldn't be allowed in his country." That really struck a nerve and I said, why are you not in school in which he noted he was homeschooled. I told him he needed to go back home and get schooled in acceptance of others and walked away. I was blown away that I just had an argument with some teenage kid over 50 cents in a town I was in for only an hour and that I had never heard of before. It was an interesting morning.As I walked on the sidewalk connected to the interstate out of town, I passed what I first thought was road work. As I got closer, I noticed there was an over turned tractor trailer in the right lane and I was walking by it close enough to touch it. The tow crew was there working on removing it from the highway and the driver was standing a bit ahead with only a minor dressing on his left eye brow clearly already having been checked out by EMS. He said he was okay as I passed and I just thought of how weird this whole town trip had been.I climbed up and out of town and rode a ridge for a good portion of the day with rocks in and out. I passed a guy named One Pole who I had eaten with at Timbers Restaurant before graduation. He informed me, like myself, that him and his friend Ryan both got sick after eating there and that confirmed my suspicion that I had food poisoning right before going to graduation.I ran into a few other flip floppers I recognized including Wolfpack, Galaxy and song bird- all really nice people. After a late lunch I pushed another 9 miles to camp. I decided to stealth camp beside a spring 3/4 of the way up a climb to another ridge. It was a nice spot with water right there and I had it to myself to enjoy the night.P.S: Since passing over the Mason Dixon line I've noticed that signs now say "Maine to Georgia" as opposed to signs in the south that said "Georgia to Maine" in regards to the AT. Interesting!Thanks Mom! Trying to keep at it. I can't remember who sings Mud but I remember we all used to love him! I did find the sock liners and luckily haven't had to use them yet but will if my feet swell and toes begin rubbing!Hi Mr Moore! Great to see you following along! I'd love to have you join me when I get further north. Let me know in advance and we can make some plans! Hope you're well!