Date: 2015-06-05
From: Boiling Springs, PA

To: Duncannon, pa
Miles today: 25.7
Weather: light rain

Leaving Boiling Springs the trail was fairly flat and filled with the scent of honeysuckle for miles. Mulberries were everywhere and there were several fence stiles to cross. I had 14.3 miles to go and my blisters were not happy about the rain that started 4 miles in. I ended up changing my shoes and wearing my chacos for a few miles to dry them out a bit. I saw a snake wrapped up in the rocks in a cow pasture and stopped to take a picture. Pressed on to ATC crew HQ and rested a bit there waiting to see if Philamanjaro and Popsicle would show up. There was a bear warning for the shelter we were staying at so I was on edge for a bit hoping not to meet up with one on the way. I still had great phone service so I called a few people and chatted as I hiked. Met up with Cornflake and his dog Shady about 2 miles from the shelter and stopped to chat and look at the view from the mountain I'd traversed. Finally made it to Darlington shelter, made some food and set my hammock up knowing that rain was coming but choosing to stay there instead of the shelter. I wasn't sure what my tarp would do but it held up well and I stayed dry. I had a rough night just wishing I was with my family that night and then got my bear bag stuck in a tree. Grrrrr! Cried myself to sleep and hoped tomorrow would prove to be a better day. Woke up to a wet mess all around me and speat all morning trying to decide if I was going to make it through the day. The air was thick and muggy and every step was a wet one for the first 5 miles. I made it to a clearing and the sun started to shine. My attitude was completely changed. It's amazing what a little sun can do for you. Pressed on as I still had several miles to go before Duncannon. All I could think about was a cheeseburger in town. The rocks came back and it gave me something to concentrate on and before I knew it I was singing and hiking faster with a juicy burger in my future. About 3 miles from town I met up with Just Greg and hiked with him for a bit. He is a really down to earth guy and made the hiked more enjoyable. He asked me my trail name and when I told him it was Starshine I said that it didn't always fit how I felt. He said he thought it fit me well and that made me happy. I got to town and turned the corner and saw the words BBQ on a sign. Forget the cheeseburger...I'm having BBQ! Ate a brisket sandwich called The Bully. It had brisket, cheese, bacon, and onions. No regrets there. Walked into town further to find The Doyle which is a famous hiker hotel and restaurant. Spent some time there catching up with some other hikers I'd seen earlier like Just Greg, Cornflake and Finn. Finn had to take 6 days off for healing his feet. He'd already lost 3 toenails. I hope I don't lose any! Did some laundry in the local laundromat and then hiked another couple miles to the end of town to a campground. Found the crew there but they were not happy about the creepy accomodations. Ended up that my buddy Matt came and picked us all up and took us to his place for showers and a comfy bed. I'm going to church this morning and hoping to get back on the trail and catch up with the crew at the next shelter later today. Morale is much better after a hug, clean tshirt, comfy bed and a shower.