I was somewhat apprehensive about leaving Duncannon. I've been so lucky with falling in to great groups that I feared my luck might run out. It turns out that there was no need to worry. As I rounded the corner to the Quik Mart ,which is right on the trail, I ran into Bum Knee, Mean Gene, and Grandpa. I'm a lucky girl.
I hiked out of town with these guys and I've been hanging with them ever since. The first night we hit Peter's Mt. Shelter and the second I spent at Rausch Gap Shelter. On the third evening, I did my first Marathon Day, 26.4 miles, and a little night hiking to a campsite where Bum Knee and Mean Gene had already started a fire. Some of you may remember that the rocks begin to show up around here, so this was not without its challenges.
Headed into Port Clinton the next day. That descent is still as treacherous as it always was. My new crew and I were reunited with some old friends while in PC. I was very happy to see Darvey again, so we all celebrated with a double zero and spent the second day lounging around the pavillion.
We managed to leave town eventually and did 22.3 miles to Allentown Hiking Club Shelter, after ordering food at the Eckville Shelter that took a millenium to come. The caretaker was about a 6pack in when I asked him if everyone was allowed to drink there. He replied, "I can drink you under the table." I took that as a yes, but we hiked out before we could confirm.
The next day brought us to Palmerton. This was my first visit to this town as I stayed in Slatington 3 years ago. I wish I had visited Palmerton earlier. The people were so friendly. We stayed in the jailhouse hostel which is really just a government building that they let hikers bunk downstairs in. My bud, Bum Knee, had to watch the door while I showered as it was something straight out of the HBO series, OZ. Really a once in a lifetime experience. They give you a free apple at the grocery store. For real. Any apple you choose as long as you're a thru-hiker. That's what I call hospitality. Palmerton wins best PA town for sure and is in the running for top five of the trail.
After doing laundry in the morning, I hiked out with Darvey. We got a ride back to the trail from a guy in a convertable. Climbing out of the gap was really fun. It was a beautiful day and I really enjoyed climbing the rocks. I know that sounds crazy but I really like this spot. The views are fantastic. Sometime after summiting the climb, I ran into Mean Gene and Bum Knee who were picking huckleberries. The first berries of the year. We spent a good 45 minutes picking and eating. That night we stayed at Leroy A. Smith Shelter.
We hiked into Delaware Water Gap the next day and stayed at the Church of the Mountain Hostel. The following day we were all convinced to zero because the weekly church hiker feed was not to be missed, and we're not ones to turn down free food.. I had a great zero in the DWG. I spent most of the day walking around with Mean Gene and Giggle. I found a straw cowboy hat in the clearance bin at the outfitter and I've been sporting it ever since.
We eventually left DWG, but not before I purchased new trail runners. They are bright red and Bum Knee calls them my ruby slippers. That day we got stormed on and ended up at the Mohican Outdoor Center. Bunks for 31 bucks which is not exactly a deal but its run by the AMC (Appalachian Money Club), and I've never been under the impression that they are too keen on thru-hikers. The don't even have a sign at the gravel road that leads there from the trail. At least we had a dry place to sleep.
20.9 miles to Gren Anderson Shelter the next day but not before stopping at Gyps. Quick shout out to the Bulls, and Thinker (all GAME '08) who Tailgate and I have fond memories of sharing some food and beer there with a few years ago. Gyps hasn't changed much. I sorta had to convince the boys not to start a bar fight though. They get worked up sometimes.
Yesterday we hiked into Unionville where the mayor no longer runs a hostel. We stealth camped behind the clerks office and were all woken up at 2 am when the drunken youth of the town decided to come and play basketball right next to us. Bartless said it was a scene straight outta American History X.
I'm writing this from St. Thomas' Episcopal Church Hostel. Thank goodness for the kindess from the churches of all denominations along the trail. We really are lucky that so many of them reach out and give shelter and so much more to us grubby travelers. Today was hot and not so tree covered. Glad to be here.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Duncannon, PA
Leaving Harpers Ferry took a bit longer than expected as I was having so much fun hanging out with Buffalo, Moosehead, and German Shepherd, and then I finally met Porter and Pace who insisted we all go back to the bar so that they could buy a round. Porter is 47 and Pace is 40. Pace gets his trailname from the pacemaker that regulates his heart and also requires him to run past the power lines we cross so frequently. These guys like to hike very long days. They think nothing of knocking out 35+ miles in a day. This is more extraordinary when considering that they drink wine and beer like its their primary form of hydration.
After it was clear that we had all doddled so long in town, we decided to call it an official zero and share a room at the Comfort Suites. Porter and Pace convinced Buffalo to do the 4 state challenge with them in the morning. This involved them getting up at three in the morning the next day and hiking 43 miles starting in VA and crossing through WV, MD, and finally PA.. The rest of us said, "No, thank you." We'll do it in 2 days.
The first day out we hiked 22 miles to the Dogpatch Tavern. I visited this biker bar in '08 and knew I had to return. Turns out the place is just as fun as it ever was. The bikers love the hikers. I don't care what anyone says. They even bought us a round, and we had the most fantastic pit ham sandwich and fried pickles. I'm still thinking about that sandwich. The owner let us tent behind the bar, and we called it a day.
The following day, I was determined to get to PA. The terrain in the southern section of PA is fairly easy, so larger days are not very difficult. Unfortunately, the views are less impressive. Moosehead, German Shepherd, and I met up with Buffalo just on the other side of the Mason Dixon Line. Buffalo had pizza delivered at the road and had a few slices left for the rest of us. This was the best pizza on the trail to date.
I got up early because Marie's parents, Mike and Pat, planned to meet me at Caledonia State Park and treat me to dinner. I made it there by 3:15 pm, and they drove me to the Lincoln Diner in Gettysburg. Apparently, the restaurant has changed quite a bit since the last time Mike ate there, but we had a good time. Before they dropped me off back at the trail, we bought a case of beer and I carried the entire thing in my pack uphill to the Quarry Gap Shelter. Now this is totally illegal, and I'm not advocating anyone do this, but there were about 10 people that were really happy I hauled it up there to celebrate our half way victory. Everyone responsibly packed out their cans.
We hiked into Pine Grove Furnace the following day where several people did the Half Gallon Challenge. This is when you eat a a whole half gallon of ice cream in one sitting. It is a very popular milestone for people. I celebrated by eating 2 breakfast sandwiches and some fries. A half gallon is too much dairy for me.
Beacause I planned to meet my friend, Pele (GAME '04), in Duncannon on Saturday, I knew I could take it easy. The next day, I hung out with Portrait, Buffalo, German Shepherd, and Lemur by the lake. While the boys were swimming they met, Tammy, a woman that invited us to her house/cabin. Perfect timing. We jumped at the chance and were able to hang out and BBQ thanks to our new friend.
At some point, Portrait and Buffalo decided that they wanted to change up their theme for the second half of the trail. Buffalo started the trail on 3/28 and Portrait on 4/1. Up to this point, they had moved pretty quickly and taken little to no zeroes. They are now on the Buffa-slo train which not only involves them doing less miles but they are also going to aquire or make camp chairs and purchase a boom box. They plan on enjoying the second half in style. I have been having a lot of fun with those two.
After Tammy's we hiked to a campsite near Alec Kennedy Shelter. That day, we met the PA ridgerunner, Ghetto Sheep. She was really fun and agreed to hike out to Pole Steeple with us and share some brownies that Portrait made at Tammy's. Pole Steeple is a decent view and sort of looks like PA's answer to McAfee Knob.
The next day will go down as one of the most fun days I have ever had hiking the AT, but I will say only that it involved The Cumberland Valley Challenge. Details of the events of this day will only be revealed in person and to those who will not be sorely disppointed in my lack of judgement.
After surviving the CVC, I hiked into Duncannon early to get to the post office before it closed. I then hung out at the Doyle for an hour or so, and I'm writing this from Pele's house in the town of Loysville where I'm enjoying the hospitality of an old friend who introduced me to this crazy thing we call thru-hiking.
After it was clear that we had all doddled so long in town, we decided to call it an official zero and share a room at the Comfort Suites. Porter and Pace convinced Buffalo to do the 4 state challenge with them in the morning. This involved them getting up at three in the morning the next day and hiking 43 miles starting in VA and crossing through WV, MD, and finally PA.. The rest of us said, "No, thank you." We'll do it in 2 days.
The first day out we hiked 22 miles to the Dogpatch Tavern. I visited this biker bar in '08 and knew I had to return. Turns out the place is just as fun as it ever was. The bikers love the hikers. I don't care what anyone says. They even bought us a round, and we had the most fantastic pit ham sandwich and fried pickles. I'm still thinking about that sandwich. The owner let us tent behind the bar, and we called it a day.
The following day, I was determined to get to PA. The terrain in the southern section of PA is fairly easy, so larger days are not very difficult. Unfortunately, the views are less impressive. Moosehead, German Shepherd, and I met up with Buffalo just on the other side of the Mason Dixon Line. Buffalo had pizza delivered at the road and had a few slices left for the rest of us. This was the best pizza on the trail to date.
I got up early because Marie's parents, Mike and Pat, planned to meet me at Caledonia State Park and treat me to dinner. I made it there by 3:15 pm, and they drove me to the Lincoln Diner in Gettysburg. Apparently, the restaurant has changed quite a bit since the last time Mike ate there, but we had a good time. Before they dropped me off back at the trail, we bought a case of beer and I carried the entire thing in my pack uphill to the Quarry Gap Shelter. Now this is totally illegal, and I'm not advocating anyone do this, but there were about 10 people that were really happy I hauled it up there to celebrate our half way victory. Everyone responsibly packed out their cans.
We hiked into Pine Grove Furnace the following day where several people did the Half Gallon Challenge. This is when you eat a a whole half gallon of ice cream in one sitting. It is a very popular milestone for people. I celebrated by eating 2 breakfast sandwiches and some fries. A half gallon is too much dairy for me.
Beacause I planned to meet my friend, Pele (GAME '04), in Duncannon on Saturday, I knew I could take it easy. The next day, I hung out with Portrait, Buffalo, German Shepherd, and Lemur by the lake. While the boys were swimming they met, Tammy, a woman that invited us to her house/cabin. Perfect timing. We jumped at the chance and were able to hang out and BBQ thanks to our new friend.
At some point, Portrait and Buffalo decided that they wanted to change up their theme for the second half of the trail. Buffalo started the trail on 3/28 and Portrait on 4/1. Up to this point, they had moved pretty quickly and taken little to no zeroes. They are now on the Buffa-slo train which not only involves them doing less miles but they are also going to aquire or make camp chairs and purchase a boom box. They plan on enjoying the second half in style. I have been having a lot of fun with those two.
After Tammy's we hiked to a campsite near Alec Kennedy Shelter. That day, we met the PA ridgerunner, Ghetto Sheep. She was really fun and agreed to hike out to Pole Steeple with us and share some brownies that Portrait made at Tammy's. Pole Steeple is a decent view and sort of looks like PA's answer to McAfee Knob.
The next day will go down as one of the most fun days I have ever had hiking the AT, but I will say only that it involved The Cumberland Valley Challenge. Details of the events of this day will only be revealed in person and to those who will not be sorely disppointed in my lack of judgement.
After surviving the CVC, I hiked into Duncannon early to get to the post office before it closed. I then hung out at the Doyle for an hour or so, and I'm writing this from Pele's house in the town of Loysville where I'm enjoying the hospitality of an old friend who introduced me to this crazy thing we call thru-hiking.
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