Date: 2015-05-02
From: Boiling Springs, Pa

To: Duncannon, Pa
Miles today: 26.0

So, I decided that staying at the official camp-spot was the right thing to do, so I did it..... Or so I thought!As the camp spot was right next to the train tracks, the deafening sound of air horns and squealing wheels overwhelmed my ears. Every 20 minutes, another freight train would pass. It almost seemed as if the conductors knew we were there (maybe they did) and blew their horn even more! I didn't really sleep; I mostly just listened to trains and waited for morning.The hilarity of someone creating this spot as a backpackers camp. They must not have been a hiker. It was a horrible spot. I guess I should have pushed on and camped illegally last night. My dreams of being a hobo also vanished with the noise of the trains.... First thing in the morning, the trail went right through Boiling Springs. Luckily, there was a nice little coffee shop just a block over from the trail and so I went and got a great dark roast coffee!This made my walk so much more fun. A delicious coffee while walking!! The trail left town and went across several farm fields and through some small communities. It was quaint and easy walking. At mile 7 or 8 for the day, I passed the road crossing into Carlisle. I was very tempted to go to the Rolling Rock brewery tour which was only a few miles away... I did not and stayed on schedule to get into Duncannon today...When I went over the bridge (to Carlisle), I saw a hiker sitting on the other side. It looked like LittleDebbie from behind, but I couldn't be sure.    I walked over the bridge and said, "Only losers hike by themselves."The hiker turned around and it was LittleDebbie!! I couldn't believe it!! I hadn't seen him since Damascus, Va.He saw me and was blown away!!! It was a great reunion!! We caught up on fellow hikers, other info, and then hiked on. The trail finally left the easy walking of the fields and pastures and went back up to the high lands.As we rounded a bend, an old, twisted car came into view. It appears that this late 1930's car hit a tree and was left there. It was cool wreckage to poke around... It was about that time when another hiker came cruising down the trail. He stopped and we all chatted. His name became Pipes. He was a very cool guy who was training for his Colorado peak-bagging trip. Not only was he a well-versed hiker and peak-bagger, he was also a professional singer!!!! Hence, his name of "Pipes"!!We temporarily parted ways with Pipes with the expectation that we would meet up again and have a beer in town at The Doyle later that evening.Later that afternoon, we had a couple of short climbs. The weren't too bad and we made short work of it. We gained the ridge and ambled along the rocky path.LittleDebbie and I stopped and chatted with two ladies that were really excited to be training for JMT (John Muir Trail). They were certainly chatty and had lots to talk about!Before too long, we were finishing up in Duncannon. We went to the classic hiker hotel/restaurant named the Doyle. It was a turn-of-the-century hotel that must have been amazing in its day. Now, all you can hope for is to not fall through the floor (and hope there is no fire).In the restaurant/bar, we met up with BagOfTricks and Pipes! The hiker named Bird was also there. We traded stories and watched the Kentucky Derby.   Pipes' friend's horse won the race. He called it before the race!!LittleDebbie, Pipes, and I went out to a little BBQ joint and had excellent beef brisket! We also had some beers... The night got later and we eventually went to an Italian restaurant and watched the Mayweather/Pacquia boxing match.After that, it was crazy late and time for bed!!!