Day 34 of AT in PA NOBO

Sheet Iron Roof Rd. (1,116.1) to AT pedestrian bridge over Rt 11 in Carlisle (1,132.6)….then 0.5 walk to motel
Total Miles: 16.5

Pip picked me up at 7:15 am and I was hiking by 7:45.
Two miles in, I headed up to the top of Rocky Ridge, a 1.5 mile long boulder field with jagged rocks and narrow stone passageways. Great fun crawling around and through these large, odd shaped monoliths (see pics & video).
7.5 miles in, I walked by the monument of the original halfway point of the AT (see pic & video) when the trail was only 2,181 miles. It’s now 2,198.4. Pretty cool.
Around Noon, I came down out of the “mountains” and into a seemingly different world. One minute I was alone in the wilderness, the next I was down in the pastoral farmlands of southern Boiling Springs PA. Was pancake flat, a nice change of pace! 🙂, and within 2 miles I walked into the small, historic center of Boiling Springs. There was a very nice outdoor store called TCO Outdoors, where I looked around and took shelter from the drizzle. Great fishing & hiking products. When I left, I saw Cafe 101 next door. I had read that this place was amazing, and it was! Had a latte, muffin & seltzer and was able to sit down inside to rest for an hour. They are fairly well known for their breakfast and lunch as well.
Continued out of the small village and trekked from Boiling Springs across the town line into the borough of Carlisle. Still flat as a mat and I was able to matriculate at a 3 mph pace fairly easily.
Walked over the PA Turnpike (I-76) on an overpass (see video). Then a mile later came to the AT walkway over Rt 11, which was my stopping point for the day. Motel 6 a half mile down Rt 11.
This might’ve been my favorite day of the last 5 weeks. So much variety, the cafe was an unexpected find, Boiling Springs was so quaint, and then the beautiful farmlands. AND, I could walk right to my indoor lodging for the night (heavy rain expected tonight). Winner, winner, chicken dinner!! 💪Read more