It felt a little weird as I walked down the 0.3 gravel road from Pen Mar Park to the Mason Dixon line since just 5 days prior I was limping down this stretch thoroughly exhausted from the 4-State Challenge but was now reinvigorated and full of energy. One of the first things I noticed about this new state is their exquisite shelters; the first few have planted flowers, fresh paint, swinging benches, and one even had a sun dial. I think this is to make a good first impression on hikers before the infamous Rock-sylvania part of the trail begins.
Frog chilling in the spring at the Tumbling Run Shelters.
Vultures up on Cradle Rock.
On day 2 back from my halftime break I crossed the official halfway point, which is a dinky sign, and an old halfway sign, which is much more impressive. They should just relocate the big awesome sign whenever the halfway point shifts. That night I took a side trail to Sunset Rocks and planned to camp there after watching the sunset. Unfortunately, the name was a little misleading because, from that vantage point, the sun disappears behind some trees before neighboring mountains. The next morning I hiked into Pine Grove Forest State Park and completed the half gallon challenge for breakfast. That's where you eat half a gallon of ice cream in one sitting (time lapse to ensue)
Officially halfway through the trail.
An old halfway marker.
Sunset at Sunset Rocks.
I got to see a locomotive shuffle a bunch of train cars around at a switch and talked to the conductor for a little. I almost made it in to Boiling Springs but right beforehand realized I left my gopro about five miles back at a rock climbing route off trail. So I backtracked, found it, camped there, then hitched a ride to town the next morning since I didn't want to hike that section for a third time.
Mallard at the Boiling Springs Lake, it was a really pretty little town.
Miles and miles of crossing through farmlands in the Cumberland Valley.
This crash led to the ban of automobiles on the AT.
I was pushing for Cove Mountain Shelter so I'd have an easy hike into Duncannon the next day but I got caught in a sudden downpour. My luck did a quick 180 as I hit some guys camped out for the weekend handing out trail magic. They had pop up shelters, tons of beer, and invited me to set camp there for the night. Stay dry and drink or hike in the rain and get wet...easy choice. The next morning they made pancakes, sausage, and White Russians for breakfast which made it hard for me to leave. The beers kept coming and as I was about to head out, their friend showed up with a deep fryer to make hand cut French fries. More hikers poured in, it became an early 4th of July party, and then became a game to the trail angels to see how long they could get me to stay. "Space Jam! Where ya going? Here, have a seat in this reclining Zero-Gravity lawn chair and let me grab you a beer!" and when it was all said and done...I was at the trail magic for 16 hours! Must be some sort of record.
Gnome, Pickle, EJ, and Bullseye (not pictured) thanks for the good times!
They told us that the 501 Shelter would be ideal for the 4th of July so a few of us banded together to make the pilgrimage. It was about 60 miles to cover in four days so it would be an easy-going section. I was about to get a room at the famously trashy Doyle Inn in Duncannon but I ran into some friends who told me about a free church-run hostel. They also cooked up a delicious BBQ chicken dinner, I played in a 4vs4 game of basketball, and the church shuttled us up to the grocery store. The next day I ran into Mammoth who let me know that the weather forecast was 95F with 90% humidity and that he knows a trail angel who will take us to a swimming pool. Then we can just night hike out of town to stay on schedule for the 4th...again this was an easy decision.
Duncannon fire tower which was gated, but unlocked!
Eskimo, Trail Angel Mary, Waterboy, and Mammoth as we head to the swimming pool. Thanks for the hospitality Mary!
Space Jam, in the right lane, smoking the competition!
The night hike went pretty well; we saw a porcupine, watched early fireworks from a power line clearing up on the ridgeline, and played music on a Bluetooth speaker through some of the long stretches of trail with no water and no campsites (we felt certain no hikers would be camping on this stretch.) The next day we took a side trail to see the General, an old mining machine that looked like it should have an old cartoon villain behind the controls. I did my best to look the part.
I was amazed that the levers and pedals still moved.
We made it to the cliffs around 4pm, grabbed some beer, saw a bald eagle fly by, and hung out for America's birthday. Locals started to pour in around 7pm but we already had all the good seats on the ledge and it was pretty cool seeing a few different firework shows from above. Some of the best ones were being shot off by farmers just having a party...or hoedown...or hootenanny...whatever they call them in those parts.
Space Jam, Easy Going, Cody, Waterboy, and Green on the 4th of July being illuminated by a road flare we found.