Darlington shelter

 Very cold last night, glad I had the hand warmers -- one at my feet helped, the other on various parts during the night, but awake a lot. Expecting a colder night tonight, frost likely. 

18 plus today, crossing the Cumberland Valley. Sleet squalls in the morning, blustery wind all day, mucky trail crossing farmland and over big highways (PA turnpike, etc), lots of car noise despite the bucolic settings. Did get warm briefly at cafe in Boiling Springs with tea and big muffin 4 miles into day. Saw 10 or so deer cavorting in cornfield. Tiring day, back still getting tight at end of another long day on my feet, need to stretch out after dinner. But feel ok all in all - just moving along with few chances to sit.

Came upon a black snake, no logical reason to be most of the way out of its den that I could see. End of day finally climbed up out of valley, steeply towards shelter. I was warned that this rock bench harbored copperheads -- more likely rattlesnakes but none out this cold day. 



View out over Cumberland valley.


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