Date: 2004-07-23
From: Duncannon PA

To: Duncannon PA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Slimer called in from Duncannon PA 7-23-2004 @ 8:42 pm, Doyle House.Down the trail I met a nice couple from Maine Mark and Deb. Said they had been following Adam and I through Trail Journals.Com. Also ran into Scott (Grady) and Rachel again down the trail. We took pictures of each other. Dad said Rachel e-mailed him the picture they took of me, thanks Scott and Rachel.Come through Pine Grove State Park PA. Interesting place to say the least. Didn't take the half gallon challange (ice cream) but did destroy a pint. The record for eating a half gallon is just over 4 minutes. Saw where Alabama passed the half gallon test he left a note in the register "this Alabama Red Neck passed the test" Alabama wears a kilt, haven't seen him since Neels Gap Ga.The Hostel at Pine Grove State Park PA is interesting to say the least. Very old house. Was part of the underground railroad during the slavery days. Slaves used to hide here on their way north. The caretaker pulled up a rug and showed me a trap door with steps leading down under the house where the slaves used to hide out. I went down there with the caretaker, very eerie feeling. Makes me very sad to think what must have transpired here. Caretaker also said the house was haunted. Groups of research people come in twice a year and set up equipment to try and detect super natural presence. Not to worry about me staying here tonight !Moose had left a bunch of food here at the Hostel. He had several mail drops and was too much for him to carry. I needed it badly, thanks Moose.Very hot and humid through here. Good water is very hard to find now. Lot of dairy farms through here. Manure, fertilizer and pesticides in the water. Creeks have a brown tint to them.Met up with Swedish and Odie, brothers from Sweden, super nice guys. Came upon a trail head the other day. Man setting at a picnic table. I asked him if there was a store nearby ? He says no, nearest one is 12 miles away. He offers to take me there to re-supply and drive me back. I accept. These kind of people are called "Trail Angel's".Saw a note at one of the shelters Gather left for me. " These are such nice shelters, Slimer should stay here a couple of day's instead of trying to catch me"The Rowboat is in front of me I think. Stephanie and Wide Load are behind me.At one of the shelters it was divided into two sections, each section had a sign. One read "Snoring Section" the other read "Non-Snoring Section".Wonder where the G-Man is at ? Last I saw of him he was in Hot Springs NC. Met up with World Bridge, he know's Gather. Free Bird know's Gather too.Dealing with a nasty blister on my heel. Feeling very tired and run down. I have made it 1,132 miles so far and I can feel it.Met up with some day hikers who gave me some water and potato chips, it was welcome indeed. Met up with Blue Bird, super nice girl, we took pictures. Took pictures of Nomad, real tall guy with a beard posing on a rock.Heard Ted from Greensboro NC was behind me and hiking with Skittles from Alaska.Heard through the grapevine Ted was attacked by a wild turkey, that's a new one.Got to Appalachian Motor Lodge in Boiling Springs last night. Checked at the desk No Vacancy ! Big storm coming up and I'm between shelters. Walk out, young man setting on bench outside the lobby. He asked if I got a room. I said no, full up. We talk awhile, he is there testing for a truck driving job, very nice fellow. He then mentioned he had a room with two beds already paid for by the trucking co, and offered to share the room with me. I accept and go around back so desk clerk won't see me, as there would be an extra charge. (Another Trail Angel).Left this morning, raining, rained all night. Rain and bad weather is part of the trail and we accept it.Made it into Duncannon PA. Was walking down the street. A man setting on his front porch asked me if I were going to the Doyle House. I said yes, he told me where it was at. I asked if there was a place here where I could buy socks ? He said no, nearest place was 10 miles away at a K-Mart. He said son you go on to the Doyle house and check in, then come back here and I will drive you to the K-Mart. I check in and go back to the house where the man was setting. He takes me to the K-mart where I buy socks and some more stuff, and to a Subway, then to a grocery store to re-supply. I ask him if I can come back by in the morning to take his picture, he said fine, I will probably be setting right here. (Another Trail Angel)Called home from a pay phone as the Doyle House doesn't have phones. All ok at home. Dad said Adam just checked out of the Doyle House yesterday morning. That Puts him two days in front of me, or roughly 40 miles. Need to pick it up but tired. Dad told me SemiColon had been injured and was off the trail. Gary and K-Bear still down the trail in Waynesboro. K-bear is sick and Gary is staying with her til she gets well. Dad told me he read Gary's journal. Gary got off the trail to check his e-mail and re-supply to discover his Mother had passed away 7 days ago, she was buried the day before. His family tried to find him but this is a big wilderness out here. Gary will keep hiking. Spare pocket has done a flip-flop to Maine and is headed back south I heard. So tired I think I will go to bed....I have my own separate journal here now ( Slimer ) check it out, mom and Dad will keep posting to this one until they catch up on mine.