Day 18: Sunday, June 22

(Susan) Toward dusk last night the thunder started rumbling and D insisted on putting up the tarp. I really didn't think it was going to rain, but shortly after the tarp went up the thunder got louder and more consistent, then lightening, then heavy rain. We were perfectly dry under the tarp. After the rain subsided a bit,the traffic up and down the road started up again and continued throughout the night. Based on what we have seen where we are camped this evening, it is simply what folks do around here for entertainment. They ride ATVs, cars, trucks, golf carts, and dirt bikes up and down the road for pleasure -- and last night I thought is was because they were on the lookout for trespassing hikers! But, back to the trail. We headed out shortly before 7 am. The trek to the northern terminus of the Allegheny Trail was only about 12 1/2 miles--mostly taking us by large open farms. When we started out there was heavy haze that burned off by 10 and it seemed to be the makings of another hot day. A few 10ths of a mile before the trail finish on the Mason Dixon line on the WV/PA border, a woman who was working in her front yard offered us some water. I gratefully had her fill my 2 water bottles. (Not using a platy this trip). She told us to feel free to use the hose out back on our return trip. She also told us the had driven some overheated hikers home in the past--and Dwight commented she was a "trail angel in the making". The end of the trail (or what is generally considered the beginning) was simply a final yellow blaze on a signpost marking the dividing line of Preston Co, WV and Fayette Co, PA. Seemed odd that a more prominent sign was not posted. There was, however, a nearby kiosk and parking area next to a Columbia Gas substation. We could not locate the brass plaque marking the Mason Dixon line that was mentioned in the hiking guide. We took a couple of "finish photos", and had lunch under the shade of a maple tree. We also hung our wet tarp to dry and laid out our dew damp sleeping bags in the sun. The afternoon was cooler than expected since intermittent cloud cover moved in. We retraced our steps to milepost 13.5 near the Mt Nebo Church (which we were told now has a total of 4 parishioners). A local farmer there, Glenn Miller, allows folks to camp in his yard. We are getting quite the stares from the folks driving up and down the road. ATTENTION: HIKERS ON DISPLAY!!!

We had originally planned to yo-yo the trail, but have decided one trip down the trail is enough. There's a lot more road walk than I expected--and perhaps we didn't pick the best time of year to hike this trail. Fall would be cooler, likely bug free and NO STINGING NETTLES! But then there wouldn't be the mountain laurel in full bloom and the fragrant cinnamon fern would be gone for the season. And fall gear is heavier than summer gear. Pluses and minuses to everything.