Date: 2004-06-28
From: Cove Mountain Shelter

To: Duncannon, PA
Miles today: 4.0
Weather: light rain

The Doyle Hotel: a monstrous momento of the hayday of Duncannon, PA; now a run down four story building and a refuge for hikers in this old ironworks mining town.You can see immediately as you enter the main corridor and head up the stairwell that this hotel catered to the well-to-do of the Anheuser-Busch generaton. Now black electric tape holds the bannisters taut. The large rooms have been divided.I'm sure I am in a small section of a large suite. As I walked in to drop off my stuff, I noticed the stripped walls with patches of plaster filling cracks and holes the size of someone's fist. The two twin beds, dressed with flowery sheets and pillow, were pushed against the walls with a foot between them. One was blocking the closet door.I could hear Myst and Bones talking on the other side of the wall. A small fogged glass separated us but we could still see each other wave through it.Thankfully they provided us with a window fan, placed haphazardly on the floor next to the best feature of the room; a lounge chair, circa 1960's, that resembled a large, green, fuzzy Frito chip.There was plenty of room to sort through my mail drops, though. And the real entertainment was the bar downstairs where you can get drinks really cheap. This is why Duncannon becomes a vortex for hikers I believe. Otherwise, it doesn't offer very much in the line of charm. But I find these old industrial towns honest and more welcoming than the boutique-lined streets of tourist towns.A couple of great things about the Doyle though. They like hikers, the rooms are cheap, everyone is here (kinda reminds you of a college dorm), and the beds, despite the rumers that you have to watch out for bed bugs, are very comfortable and new.Breakfast, cooked by our waitress, (she was alone) was fantastic once it arrived at our table. Coffee was self-served. And internet was speedy, albiet $2 per hour.Vickie at the bar gave us the whole schpeal when she handed us the keys to our room. Each floor has a shower and bathroom but the fourth floor has the laundry. The water is very hot sometimes and if you hear the pressure change while taking a shower, make sure you jump out of the way for a few seconds. Yep, just like a college dorm.We were in early enough this morning for breakfast. We met some hikers leaving the Doyle as we entered. Krispy Kritter said it was "an experience."Granted we only did four miles but the hike to Duncannon had a few twists. After descending to a cliffview that overlooked the town, the trail continues down sharply across a nice rock field. Just when you think you are done with the rocks and you're on a straight path for the town, the trail ascends sharply and has you go over more rocks. Some trail maintenance crew has a warped sense of humor. We all griped about this when we met at the Doyle.Later in the afternoon, Quest, Hawk, and Catdog showed up. To my surprise, they opted for the Doyle for the night. It is part of the AT experience. Saltlick and I joined them for dinner down at the Pub a few blocks from the hotel. The gang is together again! It was a nice reunion. Sad to say, though, Catdog has decided to send Wags home. Our four-legged companion cannot handle the heat. I have to give the six-year old Australian cattleherder credit. She walked over 950 miles.The locals at the pub bought us beers and the staff gave us some leftover wedding cake. The town really loves the hikers, you can tell. Too bad I'm leaving tomorrow. The "vortex" just doesn't have enough sucking power for me.[TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE: I got a message from LD today. She is having a little problem with her Pocketmail, so this is the only entry I have - but she has moved well beyond Duncannon by now and is having a great time. More soon, I hope.]