Date: 2004-06-24
From: Duncannon, PA - Doyle Hotel

To: Duncannon, PA - Doyle Hotel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I woke up at five as I usually do. FireMarshall is snoring lightly in the other bed. I roll over and sleep until six thirty. It's good to sleep in. I have always been an early riser, there is something about mornings that feel like a reminder of fresh starts.Watching a sunrise is an affirmation of life renewed and rejuvenated. We have breakfast in the bar. The bartender is surly. She's been deserted. She is also the cook and waitress this morning and there is about twelve hungry hikers yammering for breakfast. Service is slow but this is a zero, I don't mind waiting and talking with the others in the dining room. I spend the morning editing my journal and looking over maps. I need to be clear about where we will be. TreeFrog's oldest son is joining us today for three days of hiking. Adam believes Mrs. TreeFrog sent John Jr. to check up on TreeFrog. This trip is to check out TreeFrog's walking companions, I suppose. I need to have a place for John Jr. to be able to get a ride off the trail his last day. FireMarshall is preoccupied with getting his boots mailed back for the rocks, and a visit from his mother who is in a nearby town. Eleven o'clock, FireMarshall is ready for lunch. The four of us decide to check out Sorrento¢s, a pizza and sub place. The day hikers yesterday highly recommended the place. We are not disappointed. FireMarshall's mother shows up and they pack up his stuff and head out. FireMarshall will be doing a long zero, four days, at the truck stop motel down the street. He's not liking the Doyal. Too dumpy. After lunch, I elect to take a long nap. I wonder if I can sleep with a jackhammer outside but apparently I had nothing to worry about. I slept well for about three hours. I love naps. It's one of those luxury things I miss on the trail. I find TreeFrog and Adam sitting on the balcony, looking out for John Jr. He finally shows up. Later then expected. That's okay. He consented to change of plans and will be walking with us as a group. The grocery store near here offers shuttle service to the hikers here at the Doyal. I inventory my food and make a small grocery list. The store is big enough that I was able to find the non-drowsy antihistamine. I buy some. Hopefully it works as well as Benadryl to keep me from scratching like a dog with mange. More hikers have come to replace the ones who have left. We now have PokeyPuppies, Hobbes and Mouse. Some shuffling around, tonight my roommate is Adam and TreeFrog has John Jr. Supper is at the Pub. At this point I think we have eaten at every restaurant in Duncannon. Dessert at the 3B Ice cream shop. We take the long way home, to check a rumor of a breakfast place. We never found it. I think the place is supposed to be Jodi's but it looks deserted.   We agree on a six thirty start up for the morning and I head for a shower and bed. Adam headed for the balcony. In a way, Duncannon reminds me of old St.Louis, row houses, cute little yards. People obviously care for their property. People sitting on their stoops in the evening, enjoying the cool breeze. Before going to bed, I sit out on the fire escape, smoking my last cigarette before bed, watching the sunset. Life is good.   Namaste'