Day 109
Start: Campsite near piped spring
End: Hamburg, PA
Miles Hiked: 14.5
Miles on AT: 1220.0
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Town day! My goal for today was to make it into Hamburg, PA, so I could pick up a prescription from Walmart and then head over to the Microtel for some rest and relaxation. I didn’t have a full day ahead of me, but the rocks were starting to get pretty established in this area.
Starting the day, it wasn’t that bad. The trail was smooth and cruisey. There wasn’t much remarkable about this section aside from the ferns that waved in the gentle wind.
As I hit the first area of rocks, I had to hop from rock to rock while carefully placing my feet around the smaller rocks that I couldn’t comfortably step on. As I stepped my left foot on a large flat rock, it wobbled a bit. Immediately I heard an angry response to that disturbance; the fear-inducing rattle of a timber rattlesnake cut through the air.
I glanced at the rock where I had placed my foot and not six inches away was the shaking tail of the snake in question. I couldn’t see the rest of the snake but I had seen enough. I ran! Well, I ran as well as I could over rocks with a pack on my back.
My first rattlesnake! At least I wasn’t bitten. Safely away from the threat, I continued hiking until I reached a gravel road, where I took a break for my morning snack. Now I would have to keep my eyes peeled for the rest of the day.
The trail in this section intersected with a gravel road that used to be the original AT but was now a service road. For the rest of the day, I alternated between the road and trail, choosing the road when my feet needed a break from the rocks. I also spotted another huge rattler on the side of the road, this one unbothered by my presence.
It was an overcast yet humid day today. Rain was in the forecast, but I hoped it wouldn’t rain too badly. Either way, I was headed into town, so I would be able to sleep while dry and warm regardless.
To get to Walmart and avoid hitching or paying for a shuttle, I took a 3-mile road walk route that would bring me right to the store. The road walk definitely was not enjoyable and I was pooped by the time I got to Walmart, but I had gotten there well before the pharmacy closed, which was the most important part.
With resupply done and prescription picked up, I checked into the Microtel that was not too far away. It felt so good to have a bed and a shower! Once I was sufficiently rested and clean, I headed to good ole Cracker Barrel for dinner. Yum!
When I got back to the hotel, it was time for laundry and then bedtime. I definitely didn’t feel like I had enough time here (I never do on only nero days), but I was grateful for the time anyway.
And that’s day 109.
A version of this post originally appeared on TheTrek.co.