Hospitality.

Yeah… Pennsylvania sucks. I know it’s my birth state, but this has really been my least enjoyable stretch of trail so far. This section is kind of stuck between the Blue Ridge Mountains to the south and the northern mountains of the Appalachians, which leads to little elevation and a lack of views. There are also large sections with no camping due to private land and poor water selection because of agricultural runoff.

I came across a 14-mile section that was virtually flat and had water and camping restrictions. This stretch went through farms and prairies, which did not offer any protection from the sun. Also, the ground was as hard as pavement. Even though it was late in the day, I emerged from it scorched and sore.

I was approaching the town of Duncannon, where I planned to replenish my supplies. There, I met a fellow hiker who told me about a pair of locals who allowed hikers to swim in their pool. Intrigued, I decided to investigate. I went to the residence of Steve and Jan, who, I discovered, have been accommodating hikers for many years. They kindly permitted me to swim, shower, and even offered me a place to stay. The only thing they asked in return was that I take a selfie with them to add to their photo gallery featuring all the thru-hikers they have hosted. It turned out to be an unplanned but highly rewarding stop. They even provided me with a delicious barbecue breakfast the next morning to wish me well on my journey. Their hospitality was truly exceptional and served as a much-needed bright spot in a rather unpleasant section of the trail.

It was another three days from Duncannon to the towns of Port Clinton and Hamburg. It was an exceptionally unremarkable stretch. The only thing I could say about this stretch was rocks and snakes. There were very few views, and I really did not look up much because I needed to stay hyper-focused on the ground. The risk of twisting an ankle, tripping, and snakebites was real if I did not focus on every step. It was annoying, aggravating, and exhausting.

Walking into Hamburg was a great relief. I immediately stopped at Dunkin’ for some doughnuts and coffee before heading to the mecca of Cabela’s. Apparently, this Cabela’s was the largest in the world and seemed like something worth checking out. They didn’t have much of anything for hikers like me, but it was fun killing time there. I didn’t have much to accomplish that day because I was waiting for my wife to pick me up. I’ve been looking forward to taking some time off the trail and we are going to stay at an Airbnb for a long weekend.

I was very happy to spend a few days off the trail with Jonna and George. Our stay in Amish country was peaceful and serene. We visited local shops, saw a movie, and enjoyed the local cuisine. I had a chance to play Frisbee with George and simply enjoy “normal” activities. It was an enjoyable and much-needed break from hiking.

I took a break from the Appalachian Trail at mile marker 1220 near Port Clinton, Pennsylvania.