Date: 2018-10-09
From: Rocky Mountain shelters

To: Falls Creek Footbridge, PA
Miles today: 14.2

The katydids were calling last night and this morning. It was a warm evening and morning.I was slow getting up. I tried Mario's coffee he gave me. It has sugar and cream mixed in. I liked the coffee. When I looked to see the brand the wording was all in Chinese. I walked up the long hill by the shelters. Some other hikers came in overnight. I said goodbye to Mario. He gave me two more packs of coffee. Then the final climb back up to the trail. On the trail at 7:15. The trail was pretty good and steady. Near Chimney Rock trail I met a bunch of hikers out for their weekly Tuesday hike. I asked about the towns at the state line. They said I should go into Rouzerville because Wal-Mart and a lot of restaurants are there. I asked about Blue Ridge Summit and they said not much there except a gas station, a diner, and a Dollar General. I dropped down to Tumbling Run Shelters. This was another beautiful shelter. I continued to a road. Before the road a lot of young kids were hiking and one asked how long I was on the trail. I told him I started June 17th. At the road I got water and continued. The next shelter was only 1.2 and I wanted the water treatment to complete its procedure before I got there. Then I remembered there is a spigot near the shelter. At Antietam Shelter I stopped for coffee. This shelter is old and perhaps one of the originals. I camped here on my first hike on the AT in 1977. I left after 11 a.m. crossing several bridges. The trail followed some old road through the forest. The smell of the autumn season was in the air. I came to PA 16 at 2 p.m. I decided to go to Blue Ridge Summit as it is the closest at 1.2 miles. I did not see a Dollar General on the map in that town so I thought I misunderstood the guy earlier today. Going the other direction to Rouzerville just sounded too busy a town for me. The three lane road was busy so I was alert as I walked the four foot paved berm. The last half mile into town the road was two lane with four foot berm and guiderails on both sides. The traffic was heavy so I needed to pay attention. In the little town there was a Dollar General! That's the official store of Lakeland Nidhatak. I stopped and purchased three days worth of food. I packed up outside then went to the old diner, one of those stainless steel looking places. When I walked in I was a bit nervous. All the local regulars gave me the eye. I went and sat down while still some stared. The Mountain Shadows Diner was clean but dated. Pictures of Elvis hung on the wall. No music was playing just the locals talking. One particularly kept his eye on me as if he never saw hiker trash before. I ordered a burger and fries while thinking this may not have been a good idea. But after getting my burger I was glad I stopped. This was the best burger I had on the trail so far this trip. It was real, not a prefab. I told the waitress how good it was. I headed out and back down the highway. I was back at the trail at 3:43. I was happy with the time and my decision to go to Blue Ridge Summit. I was less than three miles from the Maryland border. I was debating if I wanted to continue into Maryland today or stay at Falls Creek where I stayed in 2012. The trail made the decision for me. The trail climbed up a hill full of rocks and roots. I was sweating pretty good. Then down the hill was rough. Nearly two rough miles and a lot of sweat made me decide to stay at the creek. I wasn't sure what water supply was after that or where to camp plus it was 5 p.m. when I came to the footbridge over Falls Creek. A couple were camped there. They had the orange AT tag so I knew they were thru hikers. I think it was Jalapeno and the guy with her I met a few days ago. But I didn't want to intrude on their camp so I went downstream and out of sight. After setting up camp I went down to the creek and dunked myself in. I was so sweaty I didn't care how cold it was. I was refreshed. Right now all I hear is the creek and several birds singing as if it was the first day of spring. Another good day.