Date: 2014-06-06
From: Iron Masters Mansion

To: Boiling Springs Campr\ground
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: broken clouds

Breakfast of cereal, OJ and waffles was good and more than I usually have. After a short climb to a ridge I was able to get cell reception and was able to talk to my brother Ricky. While on the phone on the side of a very steep ridge I watched a crotch horn deer who was still in velvet slowly work its way up the hill towards me. Since the wind was blowing up the hill I stayed quiet and watched it until it was within 10 yards of me when it suddenly heard my brother's voice on the phone and quickly spun and dashed back where it came from. It is so cool to be in the woods and have it so quiet and watch such activity of the wild life. Continued to move along for a couple of hours with Mobius a few minutes ahead of me and getting ready to cross PA mm 1106.7 when I saw a small pizza like box ahead with "trail magic" written on it and off in the parking lot was a gentleman set up with a grill and other items for hikers. Doug comes from Mechanicsburg and brings his wife and her friends to one trailhead and then picks them up later at another and decided that today before he headed to the other trailhead he would do some trail magic of hot dogs, snack food and fruit along with drinks. Mobius, Spiderman and a college student doing a study on invasive plant species were also there. I had 2 dogs, a banana and a ginger ale and was able to take a granola bar for later. Such unexpected signs of kindness really rejuvenate you and provide such a lift. Trail Magic is still alive! There was a rock maze which included about a half mile of climbing in, around, on top of huge rocks and boulders in which I had to carefully pick my path and follow white blazes and arrows that were laid out. It was actually quite enjoyable and broke up some of the monotony of the day. As the day drew to an end I made my way up and over Center Point Knob at mm 1114.5 which was the original AT Midpoint. While standing there I had another deer walk within 10 yards of me as it feed up and over the crest of the hill never realizing I was there. Just amazing. I had also seen 2 garter snakes that day. Nothing huge but interesting. I'm still looking for my first rattler so I can take a picture of it and send it to my grandson Gavin. However, the most exciting part of the day was when I had reached the bottom of the mountain and could see sunshine growing more and more prominent and when I broke out of the woods I came out to a 500 acre field of winter wheat, soybeans and clover! Now I know this might seem a little strange to some, but for a North Country boy who comes from farm country and has been walking mountains for nearly 3 months and over 1200 miles this seemed like heaven! To top it off there was a huge barn with 3 silos and a number of milk cows not beef cows that had been prevalent so far in my hike. It was almost like being home. When I got to the campground it was smaller than I had anticipated and it was right next (20 yards away) from the train tracks as the guide book had noted. It was pretty noisy at times, but it was free which is a magic word that helps. Once we got our tents up and great situated Mobius and I headed into town and stopped at the AT Regional office where I was able to pick up a t-shirt for Gavin. With that done we headed to the local tavern for a couple of drinks and appetizers. With our appetites in full gear we then headed to the local pizza parlor which is a pretty popular local eatery. There I was able to have an antipasto salad which tasted great and was filling. When I got back I took a power nap for an hour or so and then did some journaling in order to stay current. Tomorrow I will meet Leo in Carlisle. I hope the weather holds for the week so its enjoyable. Well its late now and a lot of people have filtered in. Some of them I know such as Young Ganderful and Studebaker and there are a number I have not met who I believe are section hikers. Well I'll doing some reading and then get to bed as I want to get up early so I can be in Carlisle when Leo shows up.