Date: 2010-07-21
From: Darlington Shelter

To: Duncannon, PA/Doyle Hotel
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Hey everyone! I made it to Duncannon! 8 days, just like I'd hoped! 125 miles from Harper's...not to shabby! It's been quite a ride since HF!!! I decided to hike out tomorrow and NOT "0!" FINALLY! I got in early and got my belly full and my few chores done so in efforts to keep movin' I'm going to hike out tomorrow (the trail actually comes through this town!) My next stop to resupply and maildrop pick up is in Port Clinton, PA (70 miles) and should arrive there early on Monday. Grumps (who I hiked with in the Smokies) lives in Port Clinton so we are going to try and hook up, I sure hope we can work it out! Not sure if I'll "0" there or not but am sure it will all come together as it should...it always does out here! Unfortunately for you guys, I am not going to type in my detailed journal entries now. It's already 8 and I want to get to bed ASAP! As soon as I take a day off I will be sure to catch you all up! It has been very trying in this heat and now the famous rocks of PA, but I wouldn't trade any day for anything! In this leg I passed the 1/2 way point of the trail and also completed over 1000 miles, I failed miserably at the 1/2 gal ice cream challenge, hiked thru 3 State Parks, seen 4 rattlesnakes, hiked along corn fields, thru hay fields & cow pastures and I also hiked over I-70! I have now hiked through GA, NC, TN, VA, WV, MD and am 82 miles into PA with 147 left to go! Sometimes I just feel like a camper who's hiking all the time and sometimes I can't believe what a crazy challenge this is and am amazed at how well I have done this far! I am so grateful for everyone's support! I keep saying this, but it really does mean so much! Sometimes I'll be hiking and someone's guest book entry comes to mind and really makes me smile, makes me proud of myself and really appreciate each day I'm given to do this! The miles are flying by quick now and the countdown has begun! I am going to do my best to see that everyday is not taken for granted, for this fairytale journey will have to come to an end and it'll be here before we know it!Oh-I learned that 1460 hikers registered on Springer Mtn this year and on 7/7 I was #664 to pass through Harpers. As of 6/22 2 hikers had already reached Katahdin! It won't be long until I start running into SOBO's, or Southbounders, who start leaving in June. I will also be running into some of my fellow NOBO's who flip~flopped and are now heading south! I can't wait to meet new folks and reunite with old friends! I also learned that the trail this year (due to reroutes) is officially 2179.1 miles! Peace out! ***********NEW***********This is from my journal...Yet another well earned great day on the AT! Wigh a great early start I was hiking @7! My spare dry clothes were a treat after a light short rain last night! Off I went to go get the hardest miles of the day out of the way 1st! I prefer the tough stuff in the AM's, so I was ready for whatever my 2 climbs would bring. Rocks of course! Steep & rocky! Yet another small sample of whats to come, but thats o-I will rock hop with a smile! Accept it, learn to like it. It really is fun-in small doses at least, but I will be friends w/ALL of natures glory & I'll like it! I will twist/change my perception on rocks as I am doing with these bugs! I must remember I am the visitor in their home! I wil do my best to be friendly & keep a smile while I am here! SO...the rest of the hike wasn't too bad! Before I knew it I popped out on a road and was there! I broke out the ipod for the last 3 mi and sang my happy self up say approx .25 mi on the road to a gas station! Ahhh!! 20oz dews are 2 for $2.22 right now!! I parked my pack and I right next to the ice machine and drank one! Duncannon...I'm here! In 8 days as planned! Doyle Hotel here I come! I couple blocks later I see it! Sweet! Its a pretty run down, but historic old bldg! I had been warned, thank goodness~ $25/night about says it all! The bldg is cool, the beds are nice, the owners Pat and Vicki are fantastic and th Pub on the first floor has AMAZING food! Best burger & fresh cut fries on the trail yet! So after settling in LB comes up! (I'd been waiting on him to catch me any day!) We had lunch w/a friend of his who was taking him to the Delaware Water Gap/NJ border! Bummer! Byt he;ll finish with Gonzo who he started with! Yeah! I'm excited for him! We had a great lunch and off they went!! (He offered me a seat but I told him I wasn't ready to skip again...yet) Then Pigeon, Baba and Bojangles came in & shortly after the 3 sectioners. We all made it and were ready to relax.! I quickly got to my shower and laundry which was wonderful! I reviewed my food for the ext leg to Port Clinton and discovered I only needed a couple snacks which meant I could skip the shuttle run to the "marker" in town! I ran across the street to the convenient store and picked up some skittles, m&m's, sring cheese and some soldas and ice cream! All set for tonight and my resupply. I think I'll hike out tomorrow instead of 0ing. AFter updating my TJ mileage and calling Lea my tasks of this town wil be complete. I could hike 4 mi to the 1st shelter and call it a nero! The rooms here are well suited for a minimalist and well...that's me! No TV's and still a lot of work to be done on them like paint, electrical work and screens!It also had a fan since there wasn't any A/C! THe bed is just lovely thought! The communicty shower was pretty clean but still Croc material! Imagine an old frat house! I went out and sat on the balcony and started my new journal and will now et to bed by midnight! LAter than hoped but oh well! It happens!