Date: 2005-06-30
From: Pine Grove Furnace

To: Boiling Springs, PA
Miles today: 19.4

One thing you learn out here is to not set your plans into stone. They will change constantly! I went into Boiling Springs and this time I stayed. Last year several of us got a bad taste in our mouths in this town. I had originally planned on laying up at the Alec Kennedy Shelter today and then doing the 18 miles to the Darlington Shelter tomorrow, stopping for just a second in town to get a drink. Things change! I left Pine Grove around 6:30. It had rained last night so the tent was wet and the humidity was high. Temps were supposed to hit around 90 today. Water between here and Alec Kennedy was supposed to be scarce so I loaded up. I usually don't like carrying more than 2 liters because of the weight but I will carry when I have to. I made good time and I did the 15 miles to Alec Kennedy by 1:30. I had an internal debate with myself, go on or stay. I don't mind geting to my destination early but 1:30 was a bit too early. I decided to bite the bullet and go into Boiling Springs. I made it to Boiling Springs around 3:00 and stopped at the regional ATC office. Mayfly was there but she was pushing on. Hopper was also there. She is off the trail due to injury but she is acting as Spikes support team now. A little while later Goosebump, Fancy Pants, Whitewater, Nurse Ratchet, and Tag-a-Long came in. I had met all of them in Harpers Ferry and saw them yesterday at the half gallon challenge. Most of this crew is getting off for a couple of days. Freedom and Thatch arrived and we decided to camp at a house which allowed camping in their backyard. There is no camping allowed, along the trail, in the 18 mile stretch between Alec Kennedy and Darlington. The rest of the afernoon was pleasant. The whole group of us dried gear at the ATC and talked. Overall, a much better experience here than last year. I do have a crazy tale to pass on. This is the condensed version. Sleveless will have the detailed version posted on her journal site when she gets it posted. Just below Annapolis Rocks is the Pine Knob Shelter. A couple of days after I passed through Socks and Sleeveless stayed at that shelter along with a couple of section hikers and Old Graceful. It was either later in the evening or early morning and Sleeveless was sitting at the picnic table typing in her journal entry. All of a sudden she felt something latch onto her back and bite her. It was dark and she only had the headlamp. She swatted at it and it bit her leg. Another swat and it clamped onto her hand and would not let go. It was a raccoon, gone crazy! Again, condensed version, they finally got it off. She was bleeding pretty good and went to the hospital where she had to get rabies shots. From what I understand the shelter is closed till they can trap the raccoon. This is, by far, one of the most bizarre incidents I have heard of this year. Sleeveless told the tale at the half gallon challenge and we all just sat there shaking our heads. Tomorrow the plan is to go to Cove Mtn. Shelter and then do the short push into Duncannon on Saturday morning. I can't figure this leg of mine out. Poet thinks it might be a shin splint but it comes and goes. It doesn't bother me while I am hiking. In the morning, after resting all night, I get the "limps"! It just feels sore for awhile and then goes away. Right now I can walk and feel nothing. Really bizarre. Needless to say, I am paying VERY close attention to this!