Date: 2011-06-13
From: Cove Mountain Shelter

To: Peters Montain Shelter
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: broken clouds

Remember that heat? The rain took that away and left us with a 45 degree evening. I was warm enough in my 45 degree bag, but was happy I had thought to put on socks. Last night the shelter had filled up with about 10 people. A guy named Zack had a home backed fruit bread that he only offered once. He was a section hiker and I don't think he quit understood the thru hiker mentality. That is, if food is offered, take it before it is gone. We were up and on the trail by 8:00 after some tasty pop tarts and a cup of Joe. After an quick 5 miles we came to Hawk Rock which provided a beautiful view across the valley into the town of Duncanon. The plan was to find the library, update the journal, get lunch, and then move on. We stopped at the local convenience store and bought gator aide and advil. Then off to the library. Sorry Charlie...the Duncanon library is open Wednesdays and Saturdays only. BOO! OK, off to the Doyle Hotel for lunch. Sorry, the Doyal opens at 11:30. It was 10:30. Decision time. Cold Ears is way ahead of his schedule. He is hanging in town. If I spend 2 or 3 hours waiting for lunch I will not be able to make my next stop. Unfortunately it was time for us to part. He was a great find when I got off the train in Harpers Ferry. We certainly entertained one another. We exchanged email addresses and and he headed for the Doyal. I for the hills.A word about the Doyal. It owns a lot of trail legend. It is a fact that Anheuser Busch built the hotel in the 1800's as a company hotel. Beyond that, the stories may or may not be true. One of the stories tells how a thru hiker stayed there recently and kept smelling something foul from next door. He finally got the desk man to check it out. Here there was a guy who had passed away several days earlier in the room just sitting in the chair staring at the street putting out the stink. The rooms are not exactly plush, in fact you share a community bath that one woman refused to shower in because of the mildew. Now mind you, a hiker smells worse than any mildew you might encounter so you know it must have been bad. The good news is they have cold, cheap beer and great chili. Or so the legend goes, for I will never know.Stopped a Subway on my way ot of town and the $5 sub deal. Ate half and put the other in my pack for later. Got to Clarks Ferry Shelter and joined Long Time for lunch #2. We headed out together for Peters Mountain. He was maybe 50 yards in front of me. The trail had a lot of rocks and you had to watch closely so as not to turn an ankle. I came around the corner and he was just getting himself up off the ground. He was focused so much on the rocks that he ran head on into a log that crossed the path. He got a 1 inch gash on his head which produced a significant mount of blood. I looked it over and could see it was not deep and the bleeding was not too bad. We cleaned it, put his hat back on his head and made for the shelter. Song Bird would later clean and dress the wound later that night.Another cool night in the 40's. Had a full shelter including Drum Solo from State College (who knew Ohio State was cheating for years), All In, Turnaround, and Byker. Byker is from Canton, OH and started at Harpers Ferry as did I. He has increased his daily mileage from 2 to 8 while losing over 40 pounds on the trail. He still is a big boy.Talked to the boss tonight. Sure was good to hear her voice. All is well in the home land. Cabbage are about to be harvested. Sounds great.