Date: 2009-07-02
From: Alec Kennedy Shelter, PA

To: Boiling Springs, PA
Miles today: 3.9

Let's just say Bark and I have been waiting for this day for a while now. The past two weeks we have pushed the miles in order to be in Boiling Springs, PA by today- and we did it!Around 5:30 this morning as rain was still dripping off the trees we heard Otter talking to Freebird as he was packing up his tent. As it goes, as soon as one of us wakes up and there is stirring in the tent, the rest of us follow shortly after. We wished Freebird well on his biggest planned day, 30 miles, and then with a little coaxing from Otter, we started packing up too.With only 3.9 miles to go we knew we did not need to be in any hurry, but with decent terrain and a few corn fields to walk through, the 3 of us were in town by 8:15am. I think I can speak on behalf of Bark and myself when I say that Boiling Springs, PA is a beautiful little town. The spring fed pond is full of brown trout and is lined with tall trees and a great walking path. Many of the homes have been restored from the 1800's and to top it off the people were very welcoming and friendly.Bark and I were not expecting our friend Don to arrive until close to noon so we took our time walking around the pond, sitting on the porch at the ATC Mid-Atlantic Office and chatting with White Bread, Marcello, Hatchet and Holdout. One good thing about our down time at the offices was that it gave Bark a chance to contact Deuter about his broken pack strap. He called and spoke to Steve, one of their representatives and he was more than helpful! Bark and Steve chatted briefly about the trail and then Steve reassured Bark that he would be sending a replacement part to our next town- yeah Steve! We were both very thankful for his help and glad Bark could keep using his beloved Deuter pack.As the morning rolled on we had the chance to meet two REI employees from the area. They were delivering some new gear (free) to the ATC office so the Ridgerunner's would have the latest and greatest. In the midst of it all, Bark and I got to talking with Mark Nelson, one of the REI reps. He told us to come in to his store tomorrow and he would help us out with new shoes for Bark. He was so friendly and gave us some suggstions of places to go in DC as well as taught how to whistle with an acorn top. We finally said goodbye and ventured to the Post Office where Don was meeting us. We relaxed under a tree and then right at noon Don pulled up. We were so excited to see him and I think vice versa, at least until Bark took his shoes off in the front seat. That did it for Don, from then on it was windows down and A/C blasting! I guess in the woods we couldn't smell ourselves, but mixed with the smell of a rental car, it must have been pretty bad. You would have thought that all that wind coming in from the car windows would have aired us out some, but as soon as we arrived at our destination in Harper's Ferry, Don went to work febreezing the car and trunk where our packs were as well. We really found it pretty funny. It was not until after we were clean and showered and had our packs bagged and outside that Don came to give us real hugs and start our tour of the town. The rest of the day was spent walking the old streets of Harper's Ferry and catching up with our Texas friend. We are very grateful for the short break, and very hopeful to see some of the hikers who are a few days behind us. Tomorrow the 3 of us are headed out to Gettysburg and then to DC for the 4th of July, and then its back on the trail at Boiling Springs on the 5th. This will be a good break for our feet and legs- specifically my shin that is still giving me some pain and for Bark's aching back and shoulder from his busted pack. Yay for friends coming to visit!