Carlisle, PA (USA)

Up really early at the (110 year old, under renovation) Doyle Hotel. Great pit stop for hiking weekend & will use again. Drove south along the river and took I-81 west to the Carlisle area. Started at Scott Farm (turnaround point from several weeks ago) and hiked NOBO, all the way to PA-850 (starting point yesterday). In the process, finished Cumberland Valley and summited (2x) North Mountain (far less impressive than South Mountain). Actually caught up to a couple of "t...rack-makers" (people with dogs) and didn't have to create the path in the snow like yesterday. It was nice to have company... Overall, a good (12.5 mile) day - warmer than yesterday (high 30s). Managed to overcome snow, rain, sleet, wind, ice and slush and get some endorphins circulating - all before 2 PM. Next time I hike AT in PA, I will get to cross the river! Next, I headed to Mechanicsburg to visit friends from Notre Dame - had a long visit with Kara & Caleb and their son, Sterling - stayed for dinner and talked for hours - left their house around 1900 - drove back to PA-174 - gas fillup at Carlisle (1925) - then used PA-74 to get to US-15, I-270, I-495 - made lots of phone calls on the way - got home very late (2130) and began recovery... AT Today = 6.2 miles / Grand Total = 331.32 miles.