Date: 2006-06-07
From: A Doll House in Boiling Springs, PA

To: Duncannon, VA
Miles today: 25.6
Weather: broken clouds

We didn't actually hike 25 miles today, we hiked zero today, 25 yesterday. But I feel as though these past two days have been one long day so it only gets one journal entry.I know I last left off that we were sleeping in someone's giant dollhouse in their backyard. It was a tight stay but neat none the less. However, I woke up yesterday morning and when I went to put my socks on I noticed a small blister or whatever on one of my left toes. We get blisters..it happens...so I didn't think much about it at that point.We got our stuff packed in the speed of light and headed to the local cafe. A beautiful thing, that cafe..hands down..the best coffee I have ever, ever had...ever..So anyway, we "marinated" in our breakfast then gathered a few friends and headed out for our long day. The first 12 miles were flat through farm lands. We thought flat sections were going to be easy and quick. But as usual we were wrong about hiking. They hurt the legs and become slightly boring. But we had fun and got some perfect amazing trail magic from the blue crew. But, as the day went on I began to realize that my middle toes on the left foot were becoming a little tingly. Not quite pins and needles, but the starting stages. But, again that happens once in awhile when you are hiking everyday. So, I didn't concern myself...Until our first climb of the day when I realized, yup, my toes are totally numb. But I still waited a few more miles before actually checking for the source of the problem.It eventually became too blatent to ignore and I gave in, pulled off the shoe and sock expecting nothing at all. But in the place of my nothing there was a big red blotch where there was what I thought was a blister this morning. I poked and prodded at the swelling and tried to figure out wht it was. And we determined some kind of bug bite. Problem solved. Onward and upward for more hiking...but the tingling got worse as we went. Needless to say, we fought hard against the Pennsylvania rocks which seemed to get worse after mile 21, and we finally made it to where we could see the town of Duncannon within our grasp.For an added bonus, there was trail magic of candy and juice right before town which boosted us back up from empty tanks.Once in town, we headed straight for the Doyle, an old hotel and bar know to be very hiker friendly. We were greeted with total enthusiasm by Bonesaw, Tricyle, Sleeper and Bushwacker, and a wonderful crazy night ensued.In the morning, however, my little bug bite had turned purple and grown little blisters. I read up on the internet about the infamous poisonous brown recluse spider and wouldn't you know it, with my luck, the symptoms were dead on. I had a small amount of time, apparently, before the bite opened up and worked its flesh eating magic.Everyone at the Doyle agreed as well and Pat, the owner, got right on the phone with the town doctor and she took me right away.When she saw my poor little purple toe she hmmmed, and ohhhed, and the whole time I cringed waiting for her to pull out a razor blade. I heard that with these nasty little spiders you have to open them up and pull out the webbing they apparently leave behind. She laughed when I mentioned this and said that wasn't going to happen. Actually, yes, most likely it was a brown recluse, but I caught it in time before things got nasty. She said most people wait too long, because it is painless and they think it's a blister, then they end up looking like a shark attack victim. She reassured me tht we got it in time and I would not look like a shark attack victim! And that's good because I am particularly partial to that toe. I'd like to have it make to Maine with me.So, now here we sit at the Doyle, drugged up on antibiotics and steroids, getting my butt severely kicked by them. But the foot has not gotten worse and my toe seems to be fully attached.This trail seems to be throwing everything it has at us, but we are making it work the best we can.Things always happen in threes..right? So, I got a stomach virus, sprained ankle, now a poisonous spider bite..I've got half the trail left. I'm optimistic that I can get from here to Maine without too much more of a problem. But, it is "us" and who knows... At least I have fond memories and good stories to tell.P.S. I love the Doyle.   This is a not to be missed part of the trail.