July 16 Mile 1126

Feet, feet, feet! Hurt, hurt, hurt. Trying all I can do to get the right cushioning.
Plus very hot today- about 95, and we are very low in elevation, hiking across the Cumberland Valley. Very different hiking today- flat! Hiking along side cornfields and hay fields and crossing two interstate hiways- 76 and 81. Making great time due to the nice terrain, but hot in the sun. Luckily, they have us at the edge of fields in the shade. At one point we hiked in the woods and up over a huge rock and boulder pile. I thought, " what is this, the leftovers of some construction project?" Turns out it is the northern tip of the Blue Ridge Mtns. Out of the South for sure.
We bought some sandwiches in Boiling Springs to have for lunch, and it was a good thing. We were told that in crossing some of the highways today we would have some food opportunities.
No such luck. Only saw trucking companies. Don't believe all you hear out here.
Stopped to eat our lunch and cool off at the Scott Farm Work Center. I was afraid it was a place where they would make us work! But it a volunteer center for the trail. Nice spot to rest in the shade with a picnic table. Got there about 1 pm and decided to linger due to the heat. Had some trail magic, a sister of a thru hiker gave us ice cold Brisk tea. Terrific! Then a little later a local trail angel, Hooptime, brought us big slushies! Fantastic!
We have met the nicest people in Pennsylvania! They have been so generous to us. It's been a great state so far.
And then a cooling rain began to fall. Relaxed til about 5, then headed out to our camp spot up the ridge to the Darlington Shelter. Worked on my feet and they felt better on the hike out. A 14 mile day, but done very civilized and relaxed. The way the trail should be. Had Ravioli in a can heated over the fire. Chef Boy- r- Dee never tasted so good!


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