Flip Flop Hikers: Sprout Day 30 (Tuesday, April 26, 2016)

We got a later start than normal today. We busted out 18 miles yesterday and only had 7.3 today so we took it easy getting out of camp. We slept in until 8:30, made a batch of coffee, and called to talk to family until a little after 11:00. I bet if we knew that there would be a rain storm coming later that day we would've left camp earlier!

About two miles out of the shelter Bubbles and I heard thunder off in the distance. Not too long after the thunder we felt the rain. It started off slow but by the end of the storm it was really coming down and raining really hard. It was so hot and humid earlier in the day that I didn't even bother with a rain coat. I just put my pack cover on and kept on walking. Shortly after the rain the sun came out and it felt really good.

There's a warning that porcupines like to party in this shelter! They took the stairs down because they were so bad. I don't know what a porcupine sounds like but as I'm writing this journal there's a weird noise outside. What sound does a porcupine make? We're staying in the shelter tonight because there wasn't a good spot to put a tent up here. Maybe the noise is a porcupine, haha, I don't even know what I'd expect one to sound like.

Partying Porcupines!

Earlier in the day, before the rain, it was a perfect, unforgettable hiking day. The mountains were rolling hills through this part of the trail, huge rolling hills. The sky was blue and the clouds were big and puffy. The sun was shining bright and you could see how fast the clouds were moving from the dark shadows on the trees. It was a beautiful sight to see. At one point Maggie even said, “I'll never forget this day.” Funny coincidence, as soon as she said that we got a huge whiff of what could only be a dead rotting animal! We later found out that it was a rotting deer next to the trail, haha. even with that awful smell it was a great place to be!

Not too many animals to mention today. We had a toad and a bunny at camp right before bed. We also saw an inchworm while we were taking a break on a log.

Tomorrow we are hiking into Duncannon. We are picking up a special delivery from Poppa Lip. We were hoping and thinking that getting a bigger size boot was going to help Maggie's feet feel better but it didn't help at all. Poppa Lip ordered her a couple of different hiking shoes to try and had them overnighted to the next town. Hopefully one of the pair work for her. I know she's not liking the boots. We are also going to stay at the Doyle. It's an iconic stop along the AT and has been a hikers stop for many years. If we are stopping in towns I would prefer it be at a stop like tomorrow (staying at a hostel or traditional hiking spot rather than a chain hotel) or anywhere if we are meeting family! We also got a message from Ox. He is going to be passing through Duncannon tomorrow! He wants to have a late lunch so we are super excited. I'm glad he's back on the trail and is doing well and I can't wait to see him tomorrow!