Hallowen in Duncannon, PA

Jonathan had wanted to be off the trail for Halloween but was behind on mileage due to a blister on the bottom of his foot, so he hitched 17 miles into Duncannon Saturday. It took him two rides to get there. His first ride was a woman on her way to a baby shower. Though she does not routinely pick up hitch-hikers, she does pick up trail hikers. His second ride was from two young teenage girls who were not even going in the direction of Duncannon. He saw them going the opposite direction and then turn around to come pick him up. The driver said her dad has always picked up AT hikers; she apparently felt inclined to carry on the tradition. He appreciated it.

The past week has had its share of rain, and shortage of sunshine. There was a period this week when the trail was awash with a good four inches of water. The new boots stayed dry for a few days, but eventually became water logged; the blister was inevitable. There has been a scarcity of companionship this week, though prior to the blister, he felt healthy and strong and was once again enjoying the walk. Temperatures have been mild.

The landscape continues as it has been - rocky but not too bad, small mountains, following ridgeline, ups and downs, not too steep, views limited. The forest is young, not much understory. As far as trail terrain, it's a little monotonous here. He is noticing far more birds now that fall is here but doesn't know why. The hunters are out in full force in PA as the trail runs mostly through state game lands and at the moment, it's turkey season. He is wearing an orange bandanna to warn the hunters that he is not wildlife. He finds their presence intrusive.

He found a campground about a mile outside of Duncannon for $3.50 a night, and opted for that over the other available lodging in town, The Doyle Hotel at $25. a night. Once he had staked his claim at the campground, he walked into Duncannon, had a large pizza which he shared with no one, and then spent the afternoon in the Hotel Doyle where he had computer access and the opportunity to chat with the owners of this hiker-friendly place. Evening brought him out into the town where he enjoyed watching the trick or treaters. As he was sitting on the church steps talking to me, a young trick or treater thought he had the goods and approached him for candy. He was then planning to return to the Doyle for the evening for there was live music on the agenda.

Two other hikers showed up at the Doyle who skipped the same 17 mile stretch that Jonathan had just skipped. They collectively plan to recover it on Sunday, slack packing. Jonathan looked up a local trail angel named Mary at the convenience store and has arranged transportation back to the trail for the three of them on Sunday. They will leave their packs behind in Duncannon and hike these 17 miles Sunday, returning to Duncannon Sunday evening and then back to the trail, heading south, on Monday. He's hoping to be blister-free and dry. ~ Amy