Bethel, PA (USA)

[Slept in this morning and, as a result, left late (0830) again. Used I-495, I-95, I-695 and I-83 (instead of US-15). This made a difference in my arrival time at the trailhead (although I saw a lot more road rage). Filled up with gas at Rutters in New Cumberland (south of Harrisburg) at 1045 and then made my way back to Pine Grove (last visited in the snow last month) on I-81. After getting off the interstate, picked up some food (quick) at McDonalds (1130). The parking lot at PA-72/PA-443 was full - and no wonder (!) - lots of people were hiking on this beautiful day. Hiked NOBO (1100), all the way to the William Penn Shelter (a total of a little more than 17 miles with sidetracks & backtrack). After a year of hiking, I think I finally crossed I-81 for the last time (at least 4x total)! Spring is definitely here - lots of blossoms, bugs and leaves sprouting along the trail. Wore short sleeves all day! Soon, I will not be able to see down into the valley, with all the growth in the way (sad about that, actually). A Boy Scout group that I passed seemed to be shedding their personal items all day - there were several places with piles of camping equipment, clothes, toiletries, etc. Not sure who was leading their group, but littering doesn't seem to be a good lesson to teach the boys about the outdoors... Felt pretty good all day but the rocks were getting to me by the end of the hike - so I used the road for the last mile. Tried to get some dinner at Wendy's in Lickdale but they were very disorganized and slow. Ended up driving south on I-81 to I-78 and then headed east. Checked into a hotel in Myerstown (1900), so I would be hike again early in the morning. The hotel had water problems but I managed to get a warm shower and read a bunch more before falling asleep. AT Today = 8.02 miles / Grand Total AT = 404.87 miles.