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United States Union Township

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  • Calendar-Year Triple Crown 24
    Day 63

    Dem Bach sei Dank

    April 3, 2024 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 6 °C

    Auch an diesem Tag prägten Bäche und Steine den Trail.

    Einerseits hasste ich den mit Steinen übersäten Trail, weil ich nur selten meine Füße zwischen den Steinen platzieren konnte und meine Beine im Verlauf des Tages aufgrund der andauernden Fußmassage extrem schnell ermüdeten.

    Andererseits war ich bei den überfluteten Abschnitten für die aus dem Wasser herausragenden Steine dankbar, um nicht ständig bis zu den Knöcheln im Wasser zu stehen.

    Eine angenehme Abwechslung bot eine alternative Route auf einer alten Bahnlinie, die zum Bergbau genutzt wurde. Diese mussten wir nutzen, da der AT aufgrund eines Biberdams und des Dauerregens überflutet war.

    Nach dem verregneten Tag waren wir superhappy, ein trockenes Plätzchen im 501 Shelter gefunden zu haben. Dieses zeichnet sich insbesondere durch vier Wände, Bunks und einen Tisch mit Bänken aus, an dem man die bestellte Pizza essen kann. (Was wir ausnahmsweise mal nicht taten). Strom und Wasser hätte es am benachbarten Gebäude geben sollen, aber aufgrund von Wartungsarbeiten gab es nur das restliche Wasser aus der Leitung und keinen Strom, was uns aber nicht weiter störte. Wir waren nach dem verregneten Tag einfach nur dankbar, ein trockenes Plätzchen gefunden zu haben.    Read more

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  • TravelerOn The Road Again
    Day 8

    Twin Grove RV Resort

    July 19, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    Great setting in the hills on the edge of Swatara State Park, Appalachian Trail is just south of us. Temp is still in mid 80s. Our neighbour Karl is originally from Braintree, not Essex like Stew, but Massachusetts. Note chill glasses in the freezer before adding beer !!!Read more

  • TravelerAppalachian Tra
    2
    1123
    Day 27

    Pennsylvania Rain

    May 3, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 66 °F

    I guess I complained about the heat too much, because now we’ve had 2 days of heavy rain. Good news — all my stuff is working and I’m keeping relatively dry. And, I have friends who found the pack cover I lost along the way. (Pack covers are VERY important when it’s raining. Luckily I had “belts and suspenders planning” and my stuff in my pack was in a heavy-duty bag.) I am now in a motel room drying things.

    I know I’ve talked about the shelter system before. Two nights ago, I stayed at 501 Shelter, named after the nearby road. It’s an old potter’s shed, completely enclosed with a huge skylight, solar shower, spigot for water, garbage cans, and cord for charging phones. Deluxe! I chose to sleep in a tent when I saw mice crawling down the wall. But, we were able to have pizza delivered, which was a real treat. I think the local restaurant did at least 7 runs to that place 😍

    I also met the young caretaker. Tyler (Trevor?) and his partner, who live in the house next door. They have full-time jobs with environmental agencies but volunteer for the Appalachian Trail significantly. That evening, he was taking a battery-operated power washer to clean off graffiti from rocks at an overlook on the trail. Very cool young man who makes me feel hopeful for the world. (I know, that may make me sound old :)    Read more

  • TravelerAppalachian Trail
    Day 72

    Camping near Abandoned powerline 1186.9

    July 14, 2017 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 22 °C

    As it was raining heavily in the morning we had a hard time getting up and tearing down the tent. When I finally managed to get out and prepared breakfast there was a downpour, so I went back to the tent and we had our breakfast there. It consisted mainly of cereal bars as we already ate all other breakfast supplies :D
    The elevation today was almost non existent but we had to deal with some rock fields. At some point Julia said that her feet were hurting and so did mine. At the first opportunity we set up the tent, ate our last two packs of pasta side and then went to sleep.    Read more

  • TravelerOn The Road Again
    Day 11

    Swatara SP - Appalachian Trail

    July 22, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    Still at Twin Grove RV Park, got the Bromptons out and went for a ride on the Swatara Rail Trail. Crossed the creek on the Appalachian trail bridge. Great trail through the trees, so we were in the shade most of the time, good job as temp was nearly 90F, even the Bromptons needed a rest. Stopped at the store for an icecream back at the RV park. Once the bikes were back in the compartment under coach we went down to the pool to cool off. Leaving tomorrow as park is fully booked. Next stop, somewhere north of here !!!Read more

  • TravelerTail of the Dragon
    Day 18

    Esther's Restaurant

    May 17, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    This is Esther's. It was started in the 50s. They got lucky because someone built a giant trucking warehouse right next to them. That reminds me, earlier in my trip I drove by a warehouse for target that, at 65 mph, took 45 seconds to go by.Read more

  • TravelerHeading North on AT from S. VA
    Day 37

    Day 36 of AT in PA NOBO

    April 13 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 57 °F

    Downtown Duncannon
    (1,150.3) to Clark’s Valley Rd/PA Rt 325 (1,167.9)
    Total Miles: 17.6

    Was comfy & cozy in my tent that I pitched behind the Presbyterian Church off of Main St in Duncannon. Packed up and was off and running by 7am.
    Overcast and 40 degrees to start the day. Supposed to be broken clouds/sun and warmer by noon.
    Some sense of immediacy in my speed today as Pip has to pick me up at 2:30pm at the latest as she has other shuttles later. So, 17.6 relatively hilly & rocky miles to do (@ 2.3 mph, a bit aggressive on this type of terrain, but I have a zero day in Harrisburg tomorrow to look forward to! Spoiler alert, made it with 10 mins to spare 😮‍💨).
    The first 1.5 miles this Sunday am was all on the tranquil side roads of Duncannon. Very quiet except for dogs barking as I strolled by their homes. Saw lots of history on my way out of town. For example, walked past the boarded up Standard Novelty Works building. Established in 1904 by P.F. Duncan (the town was named after him), the company was famous for producing the Lightning Guider Sled from 1904 to 1988. Pumped out more children’s sleds daily (1,700) than any U.S. factory (see pic). Went out of biz in 1990. A block away is the Clark’s Ferry Tavern, originally built in 1788 by John Clark. See the pic of the building and the placard describing the 12 different things the building was used for over a 150 year period.
    Walked on the Rt 22 bridge over the Juniata and Susquehanna Rivers below me, with the 1,000 ft ridge climb on the horizon ahead.
    One thing that I should’ve mentioned before is one of the huge advantages of section hiking this time of year: there are small blooms on the trees, which adds some color to the otherwise brown landscape, but the trees aren’t leafed out yet, so you can always see through the trees and have beautiful views you wouldn’t normally have if it was just a month later. That’s why they call the AT the green tunnel… the view most hikers have as they move north are of dense foliage and limited views.
    Once over the Susquehanna, trudged up a moderate incline over rocky outcroppings and scrambles for the next 2 miles. Headed north on a ridge-line that would extend the next 10+ miles (paralleled Mountain Road down to my right. See map pic).
    Per my comment above, from this ridge-line, I had stunning views through the leafless trees of the vibrant green farmlands in the valley to my left below, while at the same time, to my right, an amazing panorama of the twisting Susquehanna River with Harrisburg in the distance. The changing vistas kept me entertained, as did chatting with the various day hikers I encountered.
    Descended into the north Harrisburg valley at 2:15pm where Pip was waiting. Got to the Fairfield Inn in East Harrisburg by 3pm where I checked in, did much needed laundry, and was able to watch the last 3 hours of The Masters and Rory McIlroy’s phenomenal/historic march to victory. All in all, a full and marvelous day!!    Read more

  • TravelerHeading North on AT from S. VA
    Day 36

    Day 35 of AT in PA NOBO

    April 12 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 48 °F

    AT pedestrian bridge over Rt 11 in Carlisle (1,132.6) to Downtown Duncannon (1,150.3)
    Total Miles: 17.7

    Slept in a little bit for the first time in awhile. Went across the street to Dunkin’ for breakfast before walking the 0.5 mile back to the AT overpass.
    Overcast and 40 degrees with some drizzle still in the air. Its supposed to stop by midday.
    The first 5 miles of the day heading north were very flat. More farmlands and walking along a river. Then, a fairly big hill up to the top of a peak where Darlington Shelter is. Then, relatively flat to downhill the rest of the day.
    Based on my late start, not sure I was going to reach Duncannon by sundown. But I trekked in right at 6pm, pitched my tent in the backyard of one of the churches and went over to the rustic but quaint Doyle Hotel for dinner (see pic). Was a Saturday nite, so sat at a table in the bar area where it was relatively full.
    Sleep by 10pm as an early rise tomorrow.    Read more

  • TravelerHeading North on AT from S. VA
    Day 35

    Day 34 of AT in PA NOBO

    April 11 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 45 °F

    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

  • TravelerHeading North on AT from S. VA
    Day 34

    Day 33 of AT in PA NOBO

    April 10 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 46 °F

    Birch Run Shelter (1,095.5) to Sheet Iron Roof Rd. (1,116.1)
    Total Miles: 20.6

    Rain started as soon as I broke camp at 7:40am. 50 degrees, breezy & showers all day long.
    Saw my first snake, a small garter snake. Seemed very lethargic, most likely due to the cold temps. Maybe he got caught out of his underground lair?
    Even through the rain, the landscape was picturesque with enough contrast to keep me interested.
    I had “Pip” pick me up at Sheet Iron Roof Rd at 5pm and drive me 25 mins north to the Motel 6 in Carlisle, PA. Pip is such a cool chica. Linda mentioned her to me as the next good shuttler up the road as I headed north. I also saw a lot of great comments about her from other hikers in my FarOut hiker app. I’m usually not the best guesser of the derivation of people’s trail names, but once I saw her, she looked just like Pippy Longstocking sans the red hair. Pip lives in nearby Duncannon PA, is an avid day/weekend hiker, and has 3 daughters aged 17, 14 & 12. She looks much younger than her 43 years. Her Peruvian husband tragically died of cancer a few years back. And she has also been looking after her chronically sick mom. She seems to smile and be positive through it all. There is going to be a special place in Heaven for Pip someday.
    The Motel 6 had decent reviews, a good hiker rate ($65), and is half a mile from the AT pedestrian bridge down the road where I will end up after a 16+ mile day tomorrow.    Read more

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