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Published: September 23rd 2008
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I've had a bunch of computer access lately, but I think something is wrong with the website. I haven't been able to get the bulk picture uploader to work anywhere. I suppose a quick verbal update is in order, but I would much rather just caption a ton of photos.
I crossed all of PA... it was rocky! There were 1000-foot downs, then back ups, every 15 miles but in between there was negligible elevation change. Amongst those flat sections were stretches of rocks that were worse than walking in a creek bed. Worse, mainly because the rocks were sharp and pointy, unlike water worn creek rocks. I was ahead of Stretch and SlotMachine but behind Yearbook and some other hikers I hadn't met yet. So I walked alone for most of it and the solitude was nice. I camped with a section hiker and his dog (Sneakers & Thorp) who were doing all of PA and managed to keep up with me for 3 days.... I was impressed. On the third day my rain pants accidentally fell out of a side pocket on my pack and Sneakers was nice enough to pick them up and bring them along
for me.
I hiked next to a military reserve and there were a few A-10 planes that were practicing maneuvers overhead and it was very exciting to see them skim the tops of the trees... the first 50 times. Then I got tired of them buzzing around, they have a high pitch whistle as they fly away that sounds a lot like a bomb dropping. I could also hear automatic rifle fire practice so I spent the whole day feeling like I was in a war zone.
Bill, Dave, and Meg came down from Buffalo to visit! They showed up just in time for the south bounder get together at the Doyle Hotel in Duncannon! I met some new hikers there and reunited with some I had passed. At the Doyle there was myself, Yearbook, 2-liter, Pocket, Shepard, Rainfrog, Emergency Shit, Stretch, SlotMachine, Grittz...and maybe a few more, but I can't think of them right now. We had a great time and company from home made it that much better. The Buffalo gang and me did a bunch of slack packing and short days. There was even a day that was too hot to hike (90+) so we
rented kayaks and headed down the Susquehanna! That same day, because of our slack packing, we only had 2 miles to get to the shelter that a few more SOBOs were staying at. We hiked in two 30 packs of beer and even ice! I got to feel like a hero for a little bit and I'm sure those that were there won't forget that evening anytime soon.
I crossed the halfway point with Grittz, Yearbook, 2-liter, and Pocket. That day we all tried out the half-gallon challenge.... except for Yearbook, who sat back and watched. The goal is to eat an entire half-gallon of ice cream at the halfway point. I finished first in 27 minutes!
Pocket and me hiked the Maryland challenge. 42 miles in 15.5 hours(including breaks)! That landed us in Harpers Ferry West Virginia. I took a zero the following day, just to recover and spent the entire day in The Pub. The day after that I got a ride into DC from Yearbooks friends and went site seeing all afternoon. I was determined to meet up with Aunt Margaret, but she was unavailable. I wound up sleeping in a graveyard in Georgetown because
I needed a place to crash and it looked like I wouldn’t be bothered there. I found out later that I slept right next to my Aunt Ann’s parents. I got up early and caught the sunrise at the Washington Monument. I got a hold of my Uncle John and Aunt Ann who live just north of DC and headed up there on the train. I was amazed to see the number of cousins and cousin’s children that showed up for a great BBQ! I got a ride back to Harpers from cousin Monica’s husband, Tim, and hit the trail again. I’m at the Bear’s Den hostel in Virginia currently and I’ll be headed back out for the trail in a bit.
When I get the pictures loaded up I will add them to this blog, but I’m not too sure when that will be. As always I'm having a blast and things are going great.
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mom
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gotta love that family
I'm so glad you found Uncle John + Aunt Ann + cousins. Duncannon must have been great fun and I so glad to have you enjoy it. I hope you like the "Shennies". Dad + I really liked our Skyline Dr. a few years ago as part of the Blue Ridge Pkwy vaca. I'm praying that your pkg shows in Front Royal b4 you leave. Love ya bunches. mom