.October 9, 2005
Today, Lynn would join Snoopy and me for the first couple of miles. We started at Juinata River and headed south. We walked through the streets of Duncannon. I am glad most of the A.T. goes through the woods, but I like every now and then when the trail comes off the mountains and cuts through a small town. It was Sunday morning and we could hear church bells ringing and birds singing.
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When we reached the southern end of town, we found a map showing the route of the A.T. through the town. I didn't see a map on the northern end of town for sobos, but this is probably helpful for nobos. The trail was adequately marked through the town just the same.
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Lynn said 'Goodbye' as Snoopy and I made the steep climb up Cove Mountain. Despite the overcast weather, there was a great view from Hawk Rock.
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The Cove Mountain Shelter was off the A.T. so I decided to skip it. I did take a slight detour to check out the new, nearly completed Darlington Shelter on Blue Mountain.
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As I began the descent into the Cumberland Valley, I came across a great view.
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I turned to see where Snoopy was and he had hopped up on a large stone seat that overlooked the valley. He had the right idea, so I sat and enjoyed the view.
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I then entered the Cumberland Valley. This is about a 15 mile stretch that is one of the flattest segments of the entire A.T. as it cuts its way through beautiful PA woods and farmland. I came across a section of trail where some type of trail work was being done. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I cut through numerous farms. I passed through one particular dairy farm where the cows followed me across the field. I am not sure if they were looking for food or wanted to petted. I didn't try to figure out why they were following me. I had Snoopy with me. I was afraid they might startle him and then in turn, he might startle them.
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I made my way across to the Harrisburg Pike footbridge. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I climbed down to the road where Lynn would pick me up.
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