Pennsylvania is the next big challenge after Virginia. Here, it isn’t the grade that’s difficult; it is the terrain. There are rocks everywhere on the trail. Small and sharp rocks, big and loose rocks: for miles and miles. In addition to the rocks it has been hot. Like heat advisory hot.
Imagine this; you’re trying your best to just focus on figuring out just where you can put your foot without stepping on a sharp rock, dripping in sweat and you hear that half a mile behind you is a cold shower and popsicles. Then you’re left with the choice of continuing to try and be Sisyphus and eternally climb uphill in Hell, or go take a cool shower and eat popsicles. Needless to say we chose the later and then continued our hike later on that day after the sunset. Night hiking is one way to avoid the heat.
This isn’t the only time we have received trail magic in Pennsylvania. We have, actually, walked up and got fed a meal and given ice cold drinks more often than not. We’ve eaten blue cheese burgers, sloppy Joe’s, pasta salad, and plenty of ice cream. To be honest with you, we have started to feel a bit spoiled. We even met this other hiker named Squeak who lives in a town near the trail, she lets thru-hikers camp in her backyard as well as shower and do laundry in her house.
This adventure has been full of this kind of wonderful acts of kindness. We were on the receiving end of what is known as trail magic. These are simple acts of kindness that show support and love to hikers. A core focus of this community is on the principle of paying it forward. We certainly have the inspiration to come back and do trail magic like all these trail angels we have been running into lately.
So with full hearts and full bellies we have hiked our asses off and hightailed it thru Pennsylvania. Though, not fast enough to miss all the berries growing on the sides of the trail.
From the other side,
Pan and Bell
from the other side 