Maryland and Pennsylvania (first half anyways) are probably the easiest sections of the Appalachian Trail. The downside is that its at low altitude and currently in a record-setting heat wave. Good thing there have been ways to deal with the heat this week:
Sunday : Dip hand-towel in cold spring water to lay on chest at night.
Monday: Take 3 hour lunch break at http://www.freestatehiker.com
Hike into the not-so-cool of the night to meet a friend who takes you to a hotel (thanks Tyler!)
Tuesday: Eat Chick-Fil-A Icedream before getting back on the trail.
Jump into the Caledonia State Park pool right before it closes.
Wednesday: Hike to Pine Grove Furnace State Park to eat a half-gallon of ice cream to celebrate completing half the AT.
(I finished a half gallon of Cherry Jubilee in under 25 minutes, all 2400 calories)
Spend the rest of the evening at the park's beach.
Thursday: Hike to Boiling Springs, PA and get in the mini water park or in the very cold spring water (it boils by looks, not temperature)
Friday (today): my plan was to do a short hike up to US 11 to spend the day in a hotel room... but they are all booked due to some auto show.
So plan B: Hike 30 miles to the town of Duncannon for free food and a shower, or if I'm lucky, a night or two at The Doyle.
I know, 30 miles doesn't sound like a good idea in the heat, but the terrain is flat (walking through farm land), I can take a good long break every 10 miles, I'm starting really early in the morning, and this section sucks so I just want to get it over with. Wish me luck and rain!