6/1 Harper’s Creek Shelter
22 mile day today.
Left at
and
wouldn’t tell me his name. He was about
my height but dark. He also wore a cap
much like mine but it was also dark.
Well, the sun was so bright and wonderful that I soon forgot about this
rude silent fellow that insisted on following me.
Saw VT Pete
at
6/2
Approx mile 841 Paul C Wolfe Shelter @ Mill Creek.
22.3 mile
day. Left at
Today was
simply a glorious day. This makes the 2nd
straight day with no rain. What’s more
it was sunny, cool and beautiful. It
almost makes one forget the cold and miserable days of the past 4
weeks….almost.
People here
now: Booble,
Hamlet, Big Paw, Knee Pad, and two guys out for 10 days. We all did the same mileage—we were all at
the same shelter last night. This is a
great shelter a double decker that could sleep
20. Has a super overhand and best of all
it is next to a beautiful, rushing stream.
I would take pictures but my batteries ran out 2 days ago. Too bad…There have been many lovely overlooks
the past two days and as I’ve said the awesome weather has made everything look
just that much better. Almost
forgot—this song has been rooming around in my head tonight. I only know part of the words. I don’t know if it came from the
I’m on top
of the world looking down on creation
And the only
explanation I can find
Is the love
that I’ve found ever since you’ve been around
Is what’s
put me right on top of the world.
God is
certainly good! – Even or should I say especially when it rains.
June 3-5
[Scribe's
note: Early on the morning of the 3rd, Jim arrived in
June 6 -
It has been really nice hiking with her and also the
time we spent together in town. I've especially enjoyed sharing the small
beauties along the trail with her. It is nice to have the opportunity to
spend an entire day walking and talking with my sister.
June 7 - Quality Inn at
We came back to
June 8 - Quality Inn at
Only one more night and I can get back on the
trail. It's been almost one week and I feel a little nervous that I may
have a problem after such a long break. I'm sure as soon as I get moving
again the nervousness’ will go away and everything will be fine.
I forgot to mention some of the highlights of the hike with Kathy. We saw
several snakes and Kathy even stepped on a small black one with a yellow band
around its neck. Kathy saw a good sized black bear cross the trail in
front of us but I missed it because she was in front. A
very nice treat for her. Finally we saw a doe and her very small
fawn feeding on a hillside. One of the nicest things on the trail were the wild roses. Their fragrance often greeted us
as we rounded a bend on the trail. We even found some wild strawberries.
They were so much more flavorful than cultivated ones.
--
June 9 Blackrock
Hut
Kathy left me at Jarmin Gap at about
I got to the shelter to find 30 people there. 12 in the
shelter + one on the picnic table. There wasn't even a place for a
tent which is what I wanted. I was on my way out to find a spot further
up the trail (at
Was a very beautiful day.
We were kept up a little later than normal by the whip-poor-will that decided
to roost next to the shelter and by the battle with the shelter rat. This
whip-poor-will had a much faster call than the ones in OK. The OK birds
have a call that is easy to recognize but I didn't this one right away.
"The shelter rat" was the size of a small terrier. It must have
weighed 12 pounds. Vagabond and one of the Blues Brothers stayed up a
little while throwing rocks at it but never made contact.
June 10 - Hightop
Hut
Went 21.4 miles with a pit stop at the
Another beautiful day today.
June 11 -
23.9 miles today, but that sets me up to do 15 tomorrow and then make the
hostel the next day.
I enjoyed stopping at Lewis campground for a lunch break - ice cream and some
microwave food (pizza and burrito).
I saw a bear just after leaving the campsite. It ran 20 yards off the
trail and then turned around and looked at me, so I got several pictures. I also
saw two deer on different occasions right on the trail
at a place that was steep on both sides of the trail. They walked in
front of me quite a while before they found a way off.
I was planning to hit the wayside at Big Meadows but I missed the trail.
Bummer! When I realized my mistake, I didn't want to turn around and hike
backwards.
As I walked down to the shelter I thought it was quite strange that a deer was
circling me. As I got to the shelter, I saw that there was a dog there and
it wasn't long before the dog was chasing the deer. They actually seemed
to be playing a game where the deer would go looking for the dog and then the
chase would begin afresh. This went on for about 20 minutes.
Finally, I saw the dog go after the deer and the next I knew here came the dog with the deer right on her tail. She went
yelping to her owner and that was the end of the game. The deer however
hung around the shelter for another couple hours. It was actually panting
and foaming at the mouth after the chase.
June 12 -
Hiked here with Mr. Maggoo and Josh. On the way we
stopped at the Skyland Lodge for a delish
breakfast. I noticed that they put us way at the back of the restaurant
away from the other patrons. I wonder why :)
For lunch we stopped at Panorama but they didn't have a grill – only
snacks. We feasted on chips, cokes, and fudge. We did get there just ahead of a rain shower,
so we avoided getting wet today.
A couple days ago, Josh walked up on a mother bear and her cubs. The
mother growled at him but he made it by ok. Soon afterwards, a copperhead
struck at the back of his sandal as he walked by. An eventful day!
The
Hoping to make it to another wayside for breakfast tomorrow.
June 13 - Terrapin Hostel
23.2 miles today when you count the walk down to the hostel.
I hiked until a
Made it to the hostel by
Mr. Maggoo was planning to come here but didn't make
it. I guess he went to the next shelter instead.
Oopala, Sean O, Wizard, Delta Blues, Disco and Glide
are also here.
I forgot to mention that I saw another bear today. This one saw me and
took off into the woods; no pictures. This one was all black while the
other had a brown snout.
June 14 - Jim and Mollie
A 10 mile day.
I can't believe I let the Brady Bunch movie
suck me in. After getting back from the grocery, I watched the movie with
Glide and Disco - very silly. I almost stayed for the sequel which was on
next but I managed to pull myself away. Didn't get
started until
When I arrived, I walked up to the shelter to find a dad and his two sons
spread out everywhere. I was ready to be annoyed when they very quickly
cleaned everything up. They were very considerate. They are out for
60 days and are going as far they can. I hope they will be able to do it;
they carry a lot of extra stuff and I think they are wearing cotton. I
sure hope this is a good experience for them. It sure seems like a great
opportunity for them. I'll have to be praying for them.
June 15 - Rod Hollow Shelter
approx 19 mile day
I'm writing this 2 days later so I don't remember too much.
It occurred to me as I was crossing a road that I felt the way I imagine
animals feel. A typical road crossing goes like this:
1. Cautiously approach road with the
feeling that you would rather not.
2. Rush across after looking both
ways.
3. Experience a feeling of great relief
as you enter the safety of the trees and are no longer visible from the road.
I arrived at
the shelter thinking I might be alone but was actually happy to see that Pippi, her son Mike, and Baby Steps were there. There
were also three weekend hiker girls. Later Spiff and Meow came in.
Somehow the conversation turned to abortion and I quickly discovered that I was
completely outnumbered. I kept quiet rather than starting an argument.
June 16 -
18 mile day
Walked over the "roller coaster"; a 13.5
mile section with 10 consecutive ups and downs. It wasn't as bad as it
had been made out. I think I still did 2.5 or more miles per hour.
Before the roller coaster the trail was the worst I have seen it yet for
mud. It was a real bog for miles.
Monk and a couple that were perhaps the most ill prepared that I have ever seen
were at the hostel. The girl had luggage with a pull handle and wheels
for a pack. She had rigged it with a strap and belt.
Bill and Sarah ran the hostel connected with the trail center. They were
great people. Bill is an ultra-runner. He was quite animated about
the sport. It sounds very interesting - maybe I'll check into it.
June 17 -
Others here: Mr Magoo, Nick, Gimp & Scrounger (the greyhounds), Rufus,
Siesta, and a girl scout troop. The girl scouts put on a show for some of
us but I missed it. It was nice to hear their laughter. I have
found myself missing the company of children. This is something I hadn't
expected.
Tada! I made it to H.F. Very exciting and
satisfying feeling. I signed the register and had my picture
taken. I'm the 358th thru hiker to come through so far.
I saw that Buffalo Bobby and Ole Smokey Lonesome are only a day ahead. I
hope to catch up.
This hostel is very nice. It is much more professionally run than
most. A member of American Youth Hostels.
June 18 - Dahlgren Back Pack
Campground
16 miles
Others here: Mr Magoo,
Nick, Sherlock & Circuit Rider, Crazy Horse
I would have preferred to go on but since Mr Magoo has to head for home tomorrow I stopped here with
him. He will hike back to
June 19 - Devil's Racecourse Shelter
18.4 miles.
I am by
myself.
Had a toad for company while enjoying breakfast this morning.
I ate my food under the overhang of the camp bathroom (even had hot showers - a
real luxury) since it rained last night and everything was wet. The toad
didn't have much to say so we ate in quiet.
The shelter was lousy so I got water from the spring and walked the .3 back up
the hill. I made my dinner and was considering going on when I heard
thunder. I finished eating because it sounded quite a ways off. It
got close quicker than I expected and I got my tent set up and everything
inside just before it started raining.
I'm only two days away from Pine Grove Furnace, the half way point. I
think I am at about mile 1042. I plan to celebrate by attempting entry
into the Half Gallon Club (eating a half gallon of ice cream in one sitting) at
Pine Grove.
I was thinking during my walk today that it would be nice to find a way to
drive back from Kathadin. There is so much civil
war history around here that would be very interesting to see. I wished I
could have spent more time in
June 20,21 -
Groovy's Parents house in
23 miles
Others here: Groovy, Medicine Man, Bag, and Fox. Groovy's parents (Brenda & Randy),
his brother Aaron, and girl friend Donna.
I guess I won't make it to Pine Grove as soon as expected. I hadn't
expected to stay here two nights but ... Oh well. A thunderstorm rolled
through so I caved and decided to stay another
night. I am very anxious to get back on the trail, however.
His parents live only about .75 miles from the trail. He invited me and
three other guys to come by. They fed us, washed our clothes, allowed us
to take showers, and fed us, and fed us. Such giving
and wonderful people.
I hope to make it to Pine Grove Furnace (the half way point) tomorrow.
June 22 -
20 miles
Others here: Goat, Turtle &
Sprite
I left Groovy's parents at
Well I'm almost recovered from the half gallon challenge: 1/2 gallon of
cherry jubilee in 1 hour and 10 minutes. What was I thinking? Oh the agony!
Gimp, Scrounger, and Goat also polished off their half gallons. Sprite
hit a wall with his peanut butter swirl and Turtle had a hard time with the
mint chocolate chip (which she didn't like). Let's just say she had room
for more but no appetite after a trip to the bathroom.
Note: The Half-Gallon Club: all you have to do is buy a half-gallon of
ice-cream as soon as you arrive and eat it as fast as you can. You are permitted to wash it down with hot
coffee or soda if you have the stomach for it; the record is 12 minutes, 10
seconds set by “Jimmy Bee”, who must have had a major ice-cream headache
afterwards…
I almost
stayed at the hostel with Gimp and Scrounger but I just didn't want to pay the
$20. It sounded like a very nice place and it used to be one of the stops
on the underground railroad.
I've reached the half way point - Hurray!
Was going to write about dragon skin and refreshing stories but the ice cream
put me out of the mood - tomorrow.
June 23 - camp site just south of
Boiling Springs
20 miles
Others here: Buffalo Bobby, Sprite, Yo-Yo,
Zero, and Dred. Goat and Turtle got a B&B
room in town.
Had lunch at the
Enjoyed very much the time I spent with Goat, Turtle, and Sprite. In fact
I'm feeling bad cause they asked me to join them for
dinner. I explained that I had already eaten but maybe I would come by
for a second dinner. I didn't go by. I feel like I should at least
have gone by to say good bye to Goat and Turtle because they are getting off
for a while. Maybe I'll see them before they leave.
It was great to see Buffalo Bobby again. I think we will be hiking the
same miles for the next two days at least. Might see if
he wants to share a room in Duncannon.
No rain for the second day n in a row. We even had summer temps
today. Yesterday was perfect hiking weather - cool and overcast.
I finished "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader"
a few days ago. There were especially two parts that jumped out at
me. Firstly the part where Eustace gets turned into a dragon and then to
get un-dragoned Aslan tells
him to wash in a pool. However he has to remove the dragon skin
first. Eustace tears off the skin only to find another beneath. He
tears off skin after skin with the same result until he finally gives up and Aslan tells him that Eustace must let Aslan
undress him. Aslan tears off the skin, not
without significant pain for Eustace, completely and finally.
This illustrated for me something in my own life. Most everything has
been striped away here on the trail but I still struggle with many of the same
things because I can't get rid of the real source of the struggles -
self. I desperately need the mercy and help of Jesus to
"undress" me.
I'll mention the other thing from the book tomorrow.
June 24 -
21 miles
Others here: no one except me and the mosquitoes
Had quite the bucolic walk today through corn, wheat, hay fields, and dairy
farms. The first 12 miles was along a narrow corridor through the
Left
On the way to this shelter I saw two dung beetles. I would have expected
to see them in the farm land but not on the mountain. They looked just as
I remember from OK - I think we used to call them doodle bugs. I was
amazed at how round the "prize" was that they were rolling back to
their hole.
I am the only one at shelter and the mosquitoes are brutal so I set up my tent
in the shelter. It's
June 25 - Doyle Hotel in Duncannon, PA
4 miles
Others here: Buffalo Bobby, Gimp, Scrouger,
Yo-Yo, Dred, Zero, Nimble, and his friend Andy
Yesterday while walking between the shelter where I left BB the Cove Mountain
Shelter, I tore a hole in the side of my left shoe. It was a rocky
walk. I hope they will last until Delaware Water Gap. We shall
see. I've asked Larry to send my boots to Port Clinton just in case.
Right now I am at the Doyle Hotel in Duncannon. It is an old
Anheuser-Busch hotel complete with the bar downstairs. The rooms are
quite bare - just a bed, table, chair, and no air conditioning. Under
normal conditions this would be a dive but it's great because it's only
$15. The plaster is coming off the walls and ceilings and I saw mouse
evidence in the closet (acorns and other stuff). There are two bathrooms
per floor. It has a spiral type stair well that allows you to see all the
way down to the bottom from the top floor. I still enjoy the atmosphere
because it reminds me of the old west movies. I'm sitting in my room
staying off the hunger with spoonfuls of peanut butter. A lady who calls
herself Trail Angel Mary invited all us hikers to her house for dinner.
Buffalo Bobby encouraged me again without knowing it. He has been reading
Revelation and was talking about the seriousness of this life in Jesus.
Cool - Buffalo Bobby just handed me insect repellant from the hiker box.
It’s
I'm hoping that there will be a little league game at the park I walked by
coming into town. For some reason I have been wanting
to see a little league game for the last several days. Just not sure if
they will play on a Wednesday night; more likely that they play on weekend
nights.
Guess I'll mention the other part from "The Dawn Treader"
that was an encouragement. Lucy had been reading in a magician's book on
the island with the Duffers. She came across a store for the refreshment
of the spirit and it truly was just that for her. Unfortunately, she
could not remember the story once finished. Later she asked Aslan
if he would tell it to her and he replied, yes he would "for years and
years." What a beautiful thought. It reminds me of two
separate passages that I can't quite quote but I'll try to get close: "We
shall be like him for we will see him as he is." "We will Him
know as we are known." It all seems to revolve around being with our
Savior. Even in the book, it was not so much the telling of the story but
that He would be telling it.
June 26 - Peter's Mountain Shelter
11 miles
Others
here: Buffalo Bobby, Yo-Yo, Dred, Zero, + a
large group (maybe 15). Gimp and Scrounger were here earlier for a couple
hours but have to get to Delaware Water Gap by the 3rd so they went on.
I was quite fatigued when I arrived today even though it was such a short
hike. Must be the heat. I'll adjust to it
soon enough. I plan to start getting up at 5 and leave by
I enjoyed very much the conversation with Buffalo Bobby, Gimp & Scrounger
(even if Gimp & Scrounger are Canadians ... Just kidding Momma)
This is a very nice shelter; another memorial shelter. The water source
is a full 800 yards down the mountain and about 300 ft elevation drop. It
is, however, a very nice spring. I counted 293 steps and Gimp counted
297. The Susquehanna trail club must have spent days and
days building the trail down to the spring.
Started out in the shelter but the heat and mosquitoes drove both BB and I to
set up our tents.
June 27 - Rausch Gap Shelter
17.5 miles
Others here: Buffalo Bobby, Zero, Dred, Yo-Yo, Smiley & Downhill (father and 10 or 12 yr
old son), 2 section hiker sisters from FL.
It's a very different night from last night. Yesterday evening was quite
hot and muggy but tonight it is cool and very pleasant. It was 80 deg
this morning at
Fairly easy hike here, mostly flat. It was
pretty rocky at times. We walked on an old stagecoach road for 4 or 5
miles. That must have been some kind of rough ride because it was down
the mountain and quite rocky. For us, however, it was a nice walk.
This was coal mining country during the 1800's and there was at least one
village along our route. There is nothing left of the village but we
passed several huge slag heaps that have been around long enough for trees to
grow on them. In fact I have a suspicion that we are tenting on top of an
old slag heap that has been leveled off. It seems to be all small slate
like rock with little pieces of coal mixed in.
Zero saw a rattlesnake today. Unfortunately I wasn't walking with her
when she saw it. I had been just 30 minutes before. I hope to see
one later. I want my sisters to know that I'm not carrying a zapper but I
do have a sharp stick for defense.
Had an enjoyable conversation over chai
tea and semi-sweet chips with Buffalo Bobby and Dred.
June 28 - PA 501 shelter
17.4 miles
others here: Buffalo Bobby, Chimpy, Dred, Zero, Yo-Yo, Gimp & Scrounger
I was thinking today while listening to the birds about their praise
ascending to the Father. Many people would say that the birds are not
praising God, they are just doing what they were made
to do. I think that's just the point. Doing what they were designed
to do is a praise to their Creator. Doesn't
Jesus say something like this in John - if we keep his commandments we will
abide in him. God help us.
We ordered pizza from the shelter using Dred's
cell phone and they delivered it to a parking area close to the shelter. Quite a treat.
June 29 - Eagle's Nest Shelter
15.1 miles
Others here: Buffalo Bobby, Stephanie & Bethany, Captain Bill,
Two men out for one night
Hiked double time from 501 shelter to PA 183 because the Blue Mountain Eagle
Climbing Club was putting on a free lunch trail magic event. They do this
only once per year and we happened to hit it just right. It was Stephanie's
birthday so was even more special for her. Gimp, Scrounger, Zero, Yo-Yo,
and Dred were also at this lunch.
There was an
older lady there that kept commenting on our skinny conditions. When Gimp
and Scrounger walked up, she said "oh what a limp he has, and the other
one looks just awful." She made several comments of this sort and
when I told her I hadn't lost weight but always looked this thin, you should
have seen the look of horror on her face. I guess her idea of healthy is
a little plump. Anyway she wasn't an exactly encouraging person to talk
with.
Gimp and Scrounger went on past this shelter and the others didn't make it
here. At least not yet.
This may be the last evening I spend with Buffalo Bobby because he plans to
stay a couple days in Port Clinton. One never knows, perhaps we will meet
up again the Good Lord willing (as Bobby would say). I'll definitely make
certain to give him my address.
As a matter of record in case I need to know later, I pulled what may have been
a deer tick off my waistband this morning. It seemed slightly engorged
but also seemed too big for a deer tick so I am not certain which type it
was. I found it in the privy which happened to be a port-a-john.
Instead of thinking and taking it into the shelter for closer exam, I dropped
it into the blue water while saying "Mwa Ha Ha Ha die scum" (or
something of the sort).
June
9ish miles
Others here: Buffalo Bobby, Stephanie, Bethany, Collette, & Nick,
Sonya and their dad
I had planned to go on another 6 miles tonight but it was so peaceful here and
I may not see Bobby again so I decided to stay here and spend one more night
with him. He is planning to stay here a few days to rest up and
recuperate. I'm sure it will be a sad
farewell tomorrow. I have been truly blessed to spend these many days
with him. Perhaps the Lord will allow us to meet up again.
This is a very small but quaint town. One of my old bosses emailed and
asked me to call him. I was planning to call from here since I left
Duncannon too early. However, there is no payphone in town. As one
of the locals said, you can't buy milk or a stick of butter but there are 4
bars.