Date: 2007-07-09
From: Duncannon

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hello. A lot has happened since my last entry. I am in Duncannon, Pennsylvania right now. Let's see...On Monday, I started out from Harper's Ferry, the 'psychological half-way point' of the trip. I got my picture taken there and put into their log book. I was the 554th thru-hiker to come through. I was in the 900's at Springer, so about half have dropped off by that point. I left Harper's Ferry, West Virginia with a full load of food in the late afternoon since the day-time temperature's were scorching. Thanks again to Melody for the hospitality in Front Royal. I crossed the Potomac River and entered Maryland and went about another 6 miles to a shelter, where I crashed- hot, humid, and tired. Tuesday morning, I woke up super early and had 3 miles done by sunrise. I kept up a quick pace, finishing 13 miles by 11 am. It was, again, very hot, in the lower 90s so I drank a ton of water. I did 25 miles that day, catching up to Yellow Snow Man, who I hadn't seen in a few days, Walkin' Will and his dog, Obi, and a southbound section hiker named Ken. There was a road near the shelter and they happened to deliver pizza... Ken, thanks for the trail magic. He bought two large pizzas and a two liter bottle of pepsi to share. Walkin' Will brought out a small bottle of Maker's Mark, just enough to wash down the pepsi!On Wednesday morning I was out of Maryland and into Pennsylvania. Things were a little ominous as I mentally prepared myself for the famous "Pennsylvania rocks" but, I'd already started dealing with a lot of rocks in Maryland, so it wasn't a hard transition. Walkin' Will, Obi, and I hiked about 19 miles that day, ending up at a shelter with a fresh cooler sitting there. The cooler was full of food and drinks, making for some more great trail magic! We got to the shelter early, but decided to stay there and gorge ourselves on the free food.Thursday, I headed into South Mountain, PA. for a resupply at the post office. Thanks again Aunt Tonya, Uncle Joe, and family for the food. With a full pack, I only made it about 14 miles that day.On Friday, I once again got up really early and started going, hoping to catch up to some friends at the half-way mark. I beat a new record, going 17.3 miles by 11:45 am! I got there, and everyone (Pittsburgh, Pippy, Walkin' Will, Obi, Lifesaver) was there, so we lounged around at Pine Grove Furnace State Park, celebrating 1,087.5 miles, the half-way point of the trip. After a swim in a nearby lake, we headed on another 6 miles, for a 23 mile day for me, to a campsite where we made a nice big fire and relaxed for the evening. Saturday was a light day of 12 miles down to Boiling Springs, Pa. a neat little historic town. We got in early in the afternoon and relaxed all afternoon, before hiking to a nearby campsite. Another campfire, more stories, and trains roaring by on the nearby tracks made for another memorable night. Sunday was a 21 mile day, 11 miles through the Cumberland Valley, which was a blessing of fairly flat easy terrain all morning. I've gotten in the habit of waking up early and am usually the first one on the trail, which has it's benefits, but also gives me the job of clearing the spider-webs off the trail for those behind me. The cumberland valley is devoid of places to camp, being walled in by farmland, so that meant 11 miles of trail to myself, and 11 miles of clearing spiderwebs. Tons of fun.This morning, I woke up again pretty early and headed into Duncannon, Pa. a little over 3 miles away. I got here just before 8, and have been resting all day. I'll camp out tonight and hit the trail again in the morning, my next stop being Palmerton, PA., over 100 miles away. I've been spending the day at the Anheiser-Busch Doyle Hotel, not a bad place to be. Kenny, if you remember Ben, he finally caught up to me. I haven't seen him since the day we left the Walasi-Yi in Neels Gap, Ga. over 1100 miles ago.   It was neat to see him, I'd been wondering where he was. Well everyone that's about it. I have some pictures that I would like to upload, but this computer won't let me. I'll put them on first chance I get. Until my next stop, take care.