Date: 2005-04-09
From: Alec Kennedy Shelter

To: Appalachian Trail Motor Inn - Route 11
Miles today: 11.9

Coming down from the MountainWhere I had seen Gods faceI gave a dollar to a poor manBut did it with ill grace.The Grand Crossing Of the Cumberland Valley.Well I did have company last night. Three high school students arrived in the dark after I had gone to sleep, and were still sleeping when I left this morning.      I had an early breakfast under the stars, each of which looked as if it had been newly polished and reset in the heavens. The sight of my breath in the cold of the predawn, reminded me of the simple pleasures of holding a cup of hot coffee and watching the stars.   The day turned out to be beautiful and I was in summer hiking mode by the time I reached Center Point Knob. This marks the northern tip of the Blue Ridge Mountains that I have been following north all the way from Georgia. The other side of the Cumberland Valley marks the beginning of the Ridge and Valley Province, which extends north through New York State.   Once I came down off of Center Point Knob, I was on flat Pennsylvanian farmland. The trail winds across stubbled cornfields, in and out of small woods, and across numerous roads. It was a perfect day for hiking- temps in the 60¢s,sunny with a slight breeze, flat trail and countryside not that dissimilar to my home state of Illinois.   I passed through Boiling Springs in the early morning over an ancient stone bridge and past numerous fishermen ¢ there must have been one every twenty yards or so, up and down the stream, past a very nice lake and took advantage of the public phone at the ATC Mid-Atlantic Office to talk with KT who was getting ready to go out for breakfast with ¢The Girls¢      Then it was on through the golden sunshine past field and hedgerow, with early daffodils blooming and the sweet smell of spring everywhere. Just before the Pennsylvanian Turnpike crossing, I met a group of ladies from the Lehigh Hiking Club ¢ led by Alaskan Caboose ¢ out for a day hike. After an exchange of greetings and a recommendation from the ladies to stay at the 501 Shelter, I was on my way again. Soon after a SOBO pack of very earnest Boy Scouts lined by me with determined expressions, 2.5 miles into a 10-mile training hike. Way to go lads!   Before I knew it I was at the US11 Harrisburg Pike, crossing over the one million dollar pedestrian footbridge that spans the highway.      So I am currently ensconced in Room 1099 after a shower and a meal at the Middlesex Diner ¢ open 24 hours ¢ and a snacks run to the local Flying J. This motel seems to be popular with truck drivers, as does the diner, which makes it both "five star" and "highly recommended" as far as I am concerned.   I feel realy good, the problem with the right ankle seems to be resolved and I hiked today without pain or moleskin. My ¢Hikers Hunger¢ has not realy kicked in as yet but I am still eating OK. Being more focused on ¢the moment that is¢ and more aware of my surroundings as I pass is, not alone reducing my time with my worry jewels, but making for a remarkably swift passage of the hiking hours. The ladies tell me that ¢The Rocks¢ start with the next section, and on the map the mountains now seem to lie across my path as if barring the way. Until now the trail has largely followed the crests of the parallel mountains, but now all is set to change.Thought for Today-      Learn to enjoy the ordinary, But do something new every day