Date: 2016-05-04
From: Duncannon - Doyle Hotel

To: Peters Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: light rain

Just a few miles today. The shelters seem to be spread differently here. Given today's rain and the forecast for more rain tomorrow, I couldn't envision a 27.5 mile hike which was my only other shelter option. Rambo and I hiked out of Duncannon at 8:00 with full bellies from all the food my trail angel friends Barb & Rob left with me last night. I left a good bit of trail magic behind for those hikers who were taking a zero day at the Doyle Hotel. There must be a story to explain why the AT runs through a neighborhood street in Duncannon. It seemed odd but we followed the white blazes. The trail then goes across a bridge over the Susquehanna River and multiple railroad tracks before taking us into the woods. The climb wasn't that difficult and began an extended ridge walk. The rain created a colder than normal environment as I couldn't hike fast enough while selecting my steps on the ridge to generate enough heat to stay warm. This morning's sounds were unusual too. Trains could be heard along with cars driving on wet roads. The woods kept these sounds out of sight but they were heard for the better part of the morning. Last night's visit with Barb and Rob was very much in my thoughts this morning. An opening appreared ahead and gave me a look at a road just as some school students were getting out of a van. I hiked around as the teacher gave his students their field trip instructions. But then he called me over and asked if I was thru-hiking. "Cool! That's neat." were the initial responses to my reply. Before you knew it I was answering questions as the teacher asked the students to gather around me for a picture. I apparently became a part of today's field trip. Since they asked for a picture with me, I asked for a picture with them. This was the 5th Grade class from Hanover School. The school has been doing this trip for 48 years. They were taking another path so we parted company. The final comment heard was "I hope you make it." The trail took me out to view the valley below, but no views were available because of the rain. The AT then joined a wider path and I wondered if it was the class's path. A bit later another teacher came my way with his students and he greeted me with "You must be Rabbit." This teacher also wanted a picture of his class with me and while that picture was being set up, I asked if anyone had any questions. The students had lots of questions and it was cute how hands went up awaiting my calling on those who raised their hands. We parted ways after the questions were answered. Then came the original class and I could hear "there's that guy" as they approached. We just passed each other this time with many smiling and giving me various encouraging remarks. A third group arrived just as I snapped a photo at Table Rock. These students were from a different school and it wasn't until the end of their line before the teacher at the end of the line asked if I was thru-hiking. My response led to his stopping to speak with me and the two students in front of him stopped too. They each got bigger and bigger smiles on their faces as I answered their questions. When it was time for their class outing picture, I headed back to the trail. With so few miles being hiked today, I arrived at the shelter unusually early. First business was placing a call about my troublesome hiking poles. The company representative couldn't have been nicer. She is shipping replacement poles to my home and I can return my troublesome poles at a time of my convenience. I then ate and began planning my hikes for the next 2 days when Beth arrives and then for a period up to two weeks from now when I'll be off the AT for a few days. Planning is a bit hard because I don't know how the fabled Pennsylvania rocks will impact my pace. If students could greet me along the way like they did today then my pace would be just fine because they lifted me up and I just glided along after they went by.