Date: 2003-06-11
From: Alec Kennedy Shelter

To: Darlington Shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: moderate rain

We all had plans to have breakfast in Boiling Springs this morning, and I guess that's why we were all on the trail before 8am. Go figure! Shortly after 9, we all met at the ATC Mid-Atlantic Office and headed to Lakeview Cafe. The breakfast menu was limited to bagel or croissant sandwiches, but they were good! I had a bacon, egg and cheese croissant, and a cinnamon roll. Oh! And, orange juice! It was bottled, but still good. I had to get dessert too, a giant macadamia nut cookie. Mmmmm..After nearly 2 hours in Boiling Springs, we straggled out. It was just before 11am. I knew the terrain would be interesting today, as we were to be hiking the famous Cumberland Valley. It used to be a 14-mile roadwalk, but has since been moved to farmlands. The sun was out for most of the day, making it a hot walk, although we did have breaks, walking through or near trees. I was the pacesetter for B-Roc, Paparazzi, and Hotdog, even though I didn't really want to. Since the trail was flat, I tried to set a quick pace. My feet did not like the flat terrain, and were sore sooner than most days. We covered the first 7 miles out of Boiling Springs in just over 2 hours. At that point, Mule, who was ahead, was taking a break, and we took a break too, by the railroad tracks. I needed it, but was glad the miles were flowing by nicely. During the break, Paparazzi said "I don't usually hike right with others; do you guys always hike that fast?" HA! I laughed and said "Oh,! no. That was quite quick." He left the tracks after Mule and before the rest of us. I tried to keep up the pace, but slowed some.We got another break at the Scott Farm, where an ATC caretaker lives, and water and privy are provided. There was also a picnic table, and Hotdog, B-Roc and I joined thruhiker Mike for lunch. It was 2pm, and we had 4 miles to go to get to the shelter.Some of us had talked of going all the way to Duncannon today, but I was pretty sure I wouldn't make it, as it would be a 29.6 mile day. I'm happy with stopping after 18, and having 12 to get to Duncannon. There are 7 of us at this shelter, 6 in the shelter, and Hotdog tenting. In addition to myself, Hotdog, B-Roc, Paparazzi and Mule, thruhhiker Wild Flamingo and section-hiker Kid (Kevin) are staying here. The shelter is built for 5, but we're squeezing an extra one in. All would've squeezed Hotdog in too, but he decided to put up his tent instead.It didn't rain today, and hasn't for...um... several days. The trail was quite muddy in places though, and my feet did not stay dry today, so my streak of ONE DAY IN A ROW of dry feet is broken. The grossest mud was found in a cow pasture, where I knew the black stuff wasn't all mud, and the liquid wasn't all rainwater. I tried not to think about it, but it was difficult when I saw some cows peeing. Oh well. I'm over it now. It doesn't really bother me too much. I just need to whine about it sometimes.The spring here isn't the best one I've ever seen, surprisingly enough, with all the rain, so I didn't do much washing off, and will head to bed with mud-streaked legs. Yummm. I just didn't feel like spending the energy. The day was long enough, even though we covered 18 miles in 9 hours, a 2 mph pace. That sounds about right, but then I consider that I spent almost 2 hours in Boiling Springs, and nearly an hour at Scott Farm. I guess I was moving along at a good pace.I'm sure tomorrow won't be any slower, as I'll be headed to Town. I always want those miles to sail by. I'll see how I do tomorrow though. There's no need to rush so much. But sometimes I just can't help it.