Date: 2018-06-07
From: Bernheisel Bridge Road

To: Susquehanna River
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: broken clouds

Which Way returned me to the trail head and then headed to Baltimore to catch her flight home. It was hard to watch her drive off, but I knew that it was best. It is my hope and prayer that she will fully heal so that we can finish our journey together. For now, I will just carry the torch on my own.The trail followed the road for a 1/4 mile, crossing I-81 on the first of many bridges I hiked on today. The instant the trail exited the road to cut across an open field, I jumped two rabbits. A bit further, the path crossed over a fence into a cow pasture. I remembered this pasture from a previous hike with WW. On that day, she got very nervous when all of the cows started to run toward us. Today they would just stay up at the barn. After the cow pasture, the trail continued across more farmland before joining up with the Conodoquinet Creek. A good portion of the trail along the creek was on a boardwalk elevated just above the swampy surface. Eventually the trail crossed to the other side of the creek on a footbridge and took a U-turn under the bridge to follow the creek on the north side. The Scott Farm Appalachian Trail Work Center appeared just as I crossed the bridge. I stopped here to do my morning stretches and sign the register.Eventually the trail parted ways with the creek and finished the crossing the valley. After passing under Route 944 in a tunnel, it began to climb. The tunnel looked new and I don¢t recall it being here in 2007. About 2/3's of the way up the mountain the trees opened up into a nice view back across the Cumberland Valley. At the top of the mountain stood the Darlington Shelter. I stopped in here for a snack. There was a very nice privy (labeled the Taj Mahal) at the shelter. There were two girls sitting at the picnic table when I arrived. The friends had started hiking together at Harper's Ferry. They were still at the shelter when I left.The A.T. descended the other side of the mountain, crossed PA 850 and continued for about a mile across more pastures. The grass here was up to my chest and I was thankful that the sun had already dried it. After exiting the fields, the trail crossed several footbridges over small streams, as it made its final major climb of the day. Once at the top, the path continued along the rocky ridge for about 4.5 miles. There was a nice view of Duncannon and the Susquehanna River from Hawk Rock. From there it was a steep decline down to the outskirts of the old town where Lightning Glider sleds were manufactured during the 1900's. The A.T. makes its way through the town, following Market Street to the Doyle Hotel. The Doyle, an A.T. institution, started out as a three-story, wooden lodge in the 1770's. The hotel served as a place to rest along the often-traveled Susquehanna River. Charles Dickens once stayed at the hotel. The property burned down and was rebuilt in the early 1900's. The hotel went through several owners - including Adolphus Busch, of Anheuser-Busch fame - until it was purchased by Jim "Doc" Doyle in 1944.Doyle owned the property until the 1990's and it went through several more owner¢s hands. Eventually, it came up for sale in the 2000's. Pat and Vicky Kelly are the current owners. I stopped inside to check it out and stayed long enough to enjoy a glass of iced tea and talk to Pat about the Doyle. It's hard to describe the place. For me, the Doyle and much of the rest of the 3 mile hike through Duncannon made me feel like I was stepping into the ¢Twilight Zone¢. From the Doyle, the trail jogged over to Market Street, which was lined with beautiful old homes. An ice cream truck was headed my way playing music. I hopped across the street to grab a Good Humor Ice Cream Sandwich and continued my casual walk through town. I couldn¢t believe I was actually hiking through Duncannon on the AT. I had dreamed of this for years. Every part of the trail from here north is new territory for me. How exciting!The trail exited town and crossed over two more bridges. First came the old Junita River Bridge, which seems to be in need of repair. Next, was the Clark¢s Ferry Bridge, crossing the wide and shallow Susquehanna River. Where the Juniata and Susquehanna came together looked more like a lake than a river. The bridge ended at a Park and Ride, where Dick had just arrived to pick me up. Time on target...gotta love it! Dick and Pauline live in Millerstown, a small community to the west of Duncannon. Pauline was waiting at the house for our arrival. She greeted me with a smile (which she always wears) and a hug and introduced me to Sadie, their mixed breed Border Collie After I got a shower, we loaded back into the car and went to a local restaurant for a delicious dinner. We then drove a bit further to Mexico (the town) to a small market that served up tasty ice cream. They obviously know what makes a hungry hiker happy! Back at the house, Dick and Pauline continued to serve as wonderful hosts. The two have been married for 58 years and they absolutely exude love -love for each other, love for humanity, and love for God. I cannot say enough about how sweet this couple is and what a great example they are to me. They epitomize how the love of a couple for one another and for the Lord can influence others in a positive way. Being with them helped to ease the pain of not having my Which Way here to show me the way. Crossing bridges on the Appalachian Trail today. I am blessed beyond measure. Peace & Blessings¢Next StepElevation Data: n/aAscent - 2,415Descent - 2,520Grade - 5.1Weather:Day - 75 / SunnyNight - 59 / ClearOver the Horizon: Pine Grove Furnace