Date: 2016-07-11
From: Clarks Creek Campsite

To: William Penn Shelter
Miles today: 24.7
Weather: clear sky

Ok can't believe I said it but today I was bored while hiking. Uninspiring terrain, no views and rocks. This morning I didn't want to get up which is unusual for me. I finally motivated myself got dressed and packed up. Mayfly was awake and attempting to fish again. He had a fire going and I sat and ate in front of the fire as it was a bit chilly. I pushed off around 8 am and when I left Feather was still fast asleep. When I rounded the creek to get back on trail I saw Blossom and Mowgli walking just in front of me. We would play leap frog most of the day. Blossom and Mowgli I have seen several times since the Blueridge Parkway. I just recently learned their trail names. The first climb of the day was not nearly has bad as I had anticipated. It was on an old road and it was a gradual ascent where I did not need to take any breaks. When I got to the top I called the Duncannon post office to have my package sent ahead. It was a painless process and I'm excited that it will be waiting for me when I get to Porr Clinton. I followed the ridge descending gradually to Rausch Gap Shelter where I ate lunch. After lunch I had a climb up second mountain when again the trail followed an old road so the climbing wasn't too hard. I descended down the other side and the trail came into a field for about a mile. I then had several road crossings and the trail entered a state park. This state park didn't have a pool or a concession stand. We were spoiled before but the trail did not go through any part of the park that would have that though. The day grew hot and I began dreaming of ice cold Mt Dew. I had one small climb before descending down to PA 72 and crossing under I-81. Right before the road crossing of PA 72 there was a wooden bench with a red cooler on it. I opened it up and it was full of ice, pink lemonade and MT DEW!!! I have died and gone to heaven. I wish there was a way to know who this was from so I could thank them. The Mt Dew gave me the boost to do the climb out of the valley back up to the ridge line which was about a 1000 foot climb. The climb seemed to go fast as I put music on and has the fire power of Mt Dew behind me. I made it up to the top of the ridge line and the only reference point was an abandoned power line and view point in 3 miles and the shelter was 3 miles after that. Well I missed the abandoned power line and view point, apparently it grew in. So after walking for ever I was confused as to where I was. I had no idea how many more miles to the shelter. I sat down to look at the guidebook and assumed I had passed the view point and estimated I only had a little less than 3 miles to go. Well of coarse after starting walking again yhe trail became super rocky. Hello Pennsylvania rocks, thanks for waiting till mile 21-24 of the day to be brutal. I was tired, sore and week so it felt horrific but I know they aren't really that bad. If it was the beginning of the day it would be nothing. The boredom part of my day left when I arrived at the cooler of Mt Dew. Before that the trail seemed to appear that I was hiking the same 5 feet over and over again. I finally arrived at the shelter to two faces I haven't seen since Harper's Ferry. They were camped in the campsites and I went down to the shelter as I have no energy left to set up a tent. Only 1 other here in a shelter that sleeps 16. I took the upstairs and he took the bottom. He told me his trail name but it didn't sink in. I made dinner and climbed into my sleeping bag. It's nice to actually have service at night when I'm hunkering down. Usually there is no signal at whatever shelter or campsite I end up at. Tomorrow I'm stoping at the 501 shelter which is only 5 miles. Supposedly there is a solar shower and you can order pizza. I may however walk into town and go eat. It's only 2 miles off trail.