Day 97-The Kindness of Strangers

June 23-13ish miles-campsite to Steve’s home in Duncannon-AT mile 1149.6 (Duncannon)

The thunderstorm passed, but left everything wet and somewhat muddy. The humidity was pretty high too. 

This might have been a nice view...

Next thing I know, I’m popping out to a grassy field. 

Not terrible here. 

Getting a bit more overgrown. 

Gonna be wading through some wetness! 

My pants were soaked, as were my feet. Of course, the rest of me was wet with sweat anyway...

The trail was still pretty good. The AWOL Guide said it would be very rocky from the pipeline to PA 274. Well, I got to the pipeline (also no view), and thought to myself, okay, this is where it’s going to get very rocky. Ha! They call this “very rocky”?

Uh...most of Virginia was at least that rocky! 

I caught up to Sure Foot as he was dumping the grass seed out of his shoes. Of course he caught up to me, and passed me. I’m just not fast even if the rocks aren’t bad. Eventually, I came down to this view. 

That’s Duncannon down by the river (Susquahanna, I think). Believe it or not, it’s only 2 miles away. 

Of course there was quite the descent. 

That’s Sure Foot going down the stairs. 

I came down to the road, and was following the white blazes into town when a pickup with a bunch of hiker trash came toward me. It was Dusty, and the Blueberry, Fantastic, Chilly, and Green Bean crew. Steve, the most fabulous trail angel ever, was driving. Dusty said, “Hop in, he’s taking us to his house. He has a pool!” I asked where Sure Foot was. They said they were getting him next. I hopped in the truck, and we picked up Sure Foot, and headed to the house. 

Steve the most awesome trail angel!

The pool

A pile of backpacks

Steve and Jan’s house. 

We all went for a swim, and did it ever feel good! 


Steve even did our laundry. He gave Dusty the keys to his car, and we went to the grocery store for our resupply. We had dinner on the grill, and Dusty and I took showers later. We have set up our tents in the yard. A thunderstorm went through, but we were all dry up on the porch. 


It has been the most amazing day! It’s people like Steve who make me continue to believe in the kindness of strangers. 











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