Miles today: 21.6
Total miles: 1069
It was so hot out today–mid 80s. An much of the trail went through fields and farmland, which was nice but especially hot with the sun beating down on us without trees to block it. About 17 miles of the trail passed through the Cumberland Valley. Here the trail is nice and flat so the walking was pretty easy and flew by. I really love the field walks and walks through corn fields–it’s a nice change of pace and seeing the farms is a glimpse into a life far removed from what I’m used to. The trail goes right through Boiling Springs PA where there is an ATC branch office. It was closed though due to the government shut down. Oh well.
Blondie, Delta and I went to get food at a local pizza place (Flaco was behind us bc he stopped at an earlier road crossing to get a milkshake). On the way into the restaurant a couple asked where we were hiking and when we said to Georgia they grew so excited and wished us the best of luck. We only talked to them for a minute or two so we were surprised when the man came over to our table a couple minutes later and gave us $20 to use for our hike. It was so unexpected and so incredibly generous. Seriously, I cannot say it enough, I am amazed at the selfless generosity of strangers throughout this hike. We decided to use the communal $20 to spend solely on appetizers. We got cheesy bacon fries, garlic bread, pizza fries, and onion rings. Flaco showed up just in time to help us eat it all. Then we ate our meals. Hiker hunger at its best.
Flaco, Blondie and I needed to resupply so we walked a mile to the grocery store as it grew dark out. Delta didn’t need food so he set out three miles for the next shelter. After we got our food, it was late, around 8 or so. We had planned to go to a campsite only 0.5 miles away but we saw a note in the trail register that said freight trains WILL wake you up. Soo we slept in a gazebo right next to the ATC building basically in the town center. Nearly definitely against the rules but oh well. We regretted our decision in the morning when none of us had slept well due to geese honking the entire night. To make matters worse their honks sounded exactly like taunting laughter so it was like we were being made fun of all night. Rough life.