In and Out of the Woods

Pennsylvania has the dubious distinction of having the worst part of the trail. On the map it looks great like yeah let's pack some 20 milers:

The reality is that the trail is covered with what are called "boot wreckers":

Boot wreckin ankle turnin mess:

And I understand the worst is yet to come:

But I guess we gotta take the bad with the good right? Jagged, all sizes and shapes, hard, I know most rocks are hard, very slow to navigate. On the way down into Duncannon I had a great ankle turn, I've lost count of these. My ankles became cankles and not from fat back in Georgia.

Climbing up and out of Duncannon I had my 9th fall. Each of the 9 reminded me why I'm glad I never put my hands in the pole straps; so I can let go and break the fall. In this fall tho I banged my already sensy big toe so hard I thought it either broke or popped the nail inside the boot. As if these 2 injuries weren't enough I got heat exhaustion accompanied by 3 days of "intestinal distress" which still lingers as most food is boiled
and dehydration.

All said it could certainly be much worse. Big Deal told me about a girl who started out in Georgia. On one night she had 2 wild hogs barrel thru her campsite. The very next night she had a bear sniff the entire length of her tent. The very 3rd night she wound up in the hospital having been bit by a black widow. Nice bug. He didn't know if she made it back to the trail. He also told me that last week Smoky Bear (hiker) woke up losing it from both ends. At the hospital after 3 bags of saline he had to have a spinal tap, diagnosis yet undetermined.

Rocks are hard and heat is hot huh? I also have come to almost believe a story told about a guy last year. I heard this story back in May as we've been discussing PA ever since. Not just rocks but the bugs, swarms of mosquitoes, flies and gnats in addition to the crawlers if u sit for a minute. Apparently a man of means was so overcome by bugs on the trail that he used his satellite phone to get airlifted off, which he did. Well I may not have the means but I do think this was probably the best $3 investment so far and it comes with its own bug taunting sarcastic "try to get me now" look each time it's donned:

So while limping across the rocks and planning moves I come across a town called Hamburg PA. Do you know what's in Hamburg PA? Awwwe that's cute that u said hamburgs, actually there are and they were delivered by Red Robin (which was a darn good burger if u ask me). Delivered where you ask? Well to my leather couch ya "silly billy with meatball eyes". Leather couch? Oh yeah for in Hamburg PA is Shangrillameccacenter. 

Cigar International! "International" 2 story superstore with an estimated stock of 45- 50,000 cigars including their distribution center. Yours truly has been a member for a couple years since neighbor buddy Todd clued me in. Now, I'm guessing some are saying (and I think I know who you are) "errr I thought u were only having 1 cigar per border". Well I want you to say that again, out loud with this face as that is how I would repeat it back to you:

Not a lot of flowers any more:

Lots of mushrooms, which I will show you in another post, lots of green:

And more green, Maryland btw:

This was a very cool trail magic left in a very cool mountain spring:

I'm still finding some great campsites. This one on top of a hill including constant bug away breeze and complete with Flintstone furniture:

This is Boiling Springs where I understand Michael J Fox had visited a week before with his daughter who may be attending Dickinson College:

Still plugging away:

Though not as fast as I thought. There are two others out here in my 20-30 hiker bubble that are my age. One day last week, all 3 of us were limping, I wonder???

Naaaa 

Brighter days are coming:

I hope you all are doing well. I'm guessing between 40 and 50 are reading the blog and I understand why it's more comfortable to check in elsewhere. Stay on guard and keep lookin up: