The sunset was good, nothing amazing. We had a camp sight just down the way by a piped spring and it soon filled up as many other hikers piled in for the night. I believe this was the first time I met Walk n Eats and Superstar. They, like us, were slow to get out in the morning so we ended up shooting the shit. There were two towns along the way, they were hitting the first for resupply and we were heading into the second, on the edge of the PA border. We hitched a ride into Waynesboro, PA to the Walmart for lunch and a resupply. To celebrate our entrance into PA we picked up a case of Yeungling beers to hike in a mile to our planned campsite. It took a while to catch a ride, but eventually a woman walked by and offered us a ride back to the trail head. Since it was only a mile, we took turns carrying the case of beer. We were trying to stay ahead of a Large boyscout troop out for the weekend. we didn't want to have to vie for decent spots with them, WE canted the choice spot, if there was one. However, in an attempt to drink a beer along the way, the case broke open and they went everywhere....and we were passed by the troop. I was laughing at the predicament and a perturbed at the same time. I ran ahead!
We got to the site and had a great spot. We were later joined by others including Walk n Eats and Superstar, who joined us for beers and celebrating.
The nest big stop was at Caledonia State park where we were to meet up with Feathers and Wild Turkey. They were coming off a weeks break with family. We all got into the park in the am and waited for the pool to open so we could rinse off/swim. I was enjoying the sun and water as well as trying to chlorinate/sunbake my poison ivy in hopes to dry it out. I was the last one out that afternoon. Feathers, Wild Turkey, Q-tip and Dances were only going about two miles to the next shelter to take it easy and party a bit that night. I wanted to push further, about another 7.5 to the following shelter. After making my way through the park, getting stopped and asked A LOT of questions by curious people, I stopped by where they were staying. A part of me wanted to stay with them, but there was too much day light to call it a day, so I pushed on. the next day was the A.T. museum and the Half Gallon challenge (you have an hour to eat a half gallon of ice cream). They all agreed to head out early, meet me at the shelter and head to the challenge together.
The next morning I took my time and hung out with Testament, waiting to hear from them or see them. However, they never really showed and a text came saying the hadn't even gotten moving yet. A whole morning wasted for me. This is when I knew I'd be leaving them behind and it sucked. I had plans for a 30+ mile day coming up and I knew I'd be too far ahead after that.
It was a drizzly and overcast 10 miles to the challenge. It was within this stretch that I passed the halfway marker, another milestone achievement. It was nice to still be going strong at this point after my issue with the shin splints. I was just hoping to get here and now I knew I was more than able to surpass it! I rolled into Pin Grove Furnace State park and Testament was already there, as he left before me and I ran into a couple others I knew. The place was out of half gallons of ice cream. I wasn't upset about this, I'm not that big a fan of eating ice cream, especially THAT much. After relaxing there for a bit and planning out a very do-able 34 mile day the next day, I decided to get a bunk at the Ironmasters Mansion Hostel next door. I figured I could use a shower, proper dinner and a good nights rest for the big day.
I ran into Float there, and met a bunch of section hikers. There was another guy there as well, I can't recall his name, but he was very annoying. Him and Float were thinking about joining me for the big 34 miler day. I knew the annoying guy wouldn't follow through and figured float probably would. However, he just came off a week vaca and needed to get his legs back into trail shape.
I departed that morning promptly at 6am. It was supposed to be overcast all day with the threat of sunny days and temps up to 99 for the following days. By about noon I had cleared the first 17 miles and entered the valley. Most of this would be all corn fields and farmland till I got to Boiling Springs. The skies had cleared and MAN was it HOT! No more canopy to cover me and cool things off, just a blazing sun and open fields. I paced quickly till I got into Boiling Springs.
Boiling Spring was a beautiful town!!!! The springs themselves beckoned my sun seared flesh and weary legs to take a dip. I got to the A.T. center there and ran into Superstar and Walk n Eats as well as a few others. I took off about an hour later to finish the back half. The last 2 miles included an 800ft climb. Normally thats nothing, but after this leg and it being dusk, it was rough and slow going. I finished my 34 mile day at 9pm.....and boy was I SPENT. Tired, sore and very dehydrated. I didn't realize how dehydrated till I tried to change clothes in my tent. All my stomach muscles kept seizing up each time I engaged them, and it didn't take much. A quick meal, the last of my water and I was soon in my tent trying to fall asleep with throbbing ankles, feet and knees.
In the morning I saw that walk n eats and superstar had showed up later in the night and camped there. We all headed out that morning for Duncannon, PA. It was 11.3 miles to town, my feet were killing me and I noticed blister had formed. I never took my shoes off the day before to dry them out, and now I was paying for it. The afternoon ended with a very rocky descent into town. The three of us headed straight for a pub for lunch and beers. It was 99 outside and promised to be as hot, if not hotter, the following day. Walk n eats headed out to catch a flight for a wedding and Superstar and I split a hotel room for that day and the next. Neither of us wanted hike the next day and I REALLY needed a break off my feet.
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