Duncannon

For the first days of my journey, things have gone, to say the least, poorly. After my flight from Chicago I arrived by bus in Harrisburg, Pa. Duncannon, Pa is a popular trail town about 15 miles north. I tried to hitch a ride along the highways and failed miserably, walking abou twelve miles into town and in the process pulling a muscle in my knee. Someone stopped for me just outside Duncannon. This compares little, though, to issues that commenced in town. I stayed the night at the Doyle Hotel, a delightful little place designed mainly for thr-hikers. I awoke early on Memorial Day morning, and spent a good hour reading on a bench outside a park. I needed to go to the grocer (about a half-mile uphill out of town) so, having seen no one around or in the park this early on a holiday, I ditched my pack in the bushes and went on to the store. Coming back 45 minutes later, the pack was gone. I spent most of the day looking around Duncannon for my pack, talking to the PA State Troopers, and being coddled consolingly by the folks at the Doyle. Finally, the signs I posted offering a reward were of use. My pack was returned without my Ipod, camera, flashlight, or pocket knife-- but with the more pivotal gear. I've recently obtained a new flashlight, the folks at the Doyle gave me a pocket knife, and I bought a new camera. Everything is looking up.

Doyle Hotel-- World's Best Chilli!

PS- Everyone on the trail goes by a 'trail name'. Mine is Jude.