Date: 2017-06-13
From: Hertline Campsite at Mile 1199.3

To: Port Clinton, Pennsylvania
Miles today: 18.5

Woke up feeling great after a good night's sleep next to the creek at Hertline Campsite. I was ready and left alone to climb the ridge. Once I was at the top there were miles of trail with little elevation change. I guess it goes without saying, but the rocks were thick and difficult, but it seems that I am now hiking on rocks as though it is the normal trail. Cousin Eddie and I met at the Sand Spring side trail and went down to get water, then hiked ahead to the Eagles Nest Shelter turnoff and sat on a log to have lunch. In the afternoon it got very hot. I met a couple of local hikers coming south who were needing water, asking me for info on the location of the spring ahead. There was a relatively short climb, a few hundred feet, and I took a break at the top. When Cousin Eddie came up she said that it was the toughest climb in Pennsylvania so far. She was right. The water bars they make out of rocks and logs to prevent erosion on the trail were so steep that it was like a long stairwell with hundreds of steps going straight up with no switchbacks. I am so much stronger now and did the climb without a lot of stops, and felt good about that. During the afternoon I stumbled and hooked my right toe on a rock, stretching the innards along the top of my foot and up the front of my ankle. I was aware of the discomfort the rest of the day but kept going fine. I knew that the final descent into town was steep and could tell it was beginning when the trail began a gentle descent a couple of miles out. Soon I began to see ahead through the trees that the trail looked like a dropoff, disappearing over the edge. Steeper and steeper all the way down. A descent like that works your muscles and legs in a different way than any other terrain. My right ankle got a workout. It was a tough technical walk. Often each step needed to be considered for the safest footing to get down. Finally I reached the bottom and sat on a bench along the local bike trail to rest and wait. When Cousin Eddie came in we wound our way across the many railroad tracks and a couple of bridges to cross the Schuylkill River. It was late afternoon so when we got to the main road I stuck out my thumb and got a ride from a local hiker lady who dropped us off at a Logan's Roadhouse where we splurged on a great meal to reward ourselves on making it in. More good things began to happen. We needed to resupply. As we were walking across the huge parking lot toward Walmart a couple pulled up in a truck, got out, and approached us to ask if we needed a ride anywhere. Joe and Sheri K were so kind to us. They took us to Walmart and went inside with us to shop. We had a good time running around the store, like they were long time friends. Afterwards they offered to take us about 15 miles out to their farm to take showers. They have a farm in the beautiful Pennsylvania countryside where they mostly raise pheasants, and other animals and crops, some for sale and some for their own use. After our showers we spent the evening getting a tour of their operation. It was such a great experience. Later they drove us back to the pavilion in Port Clinton where the city allows hikers to tent for the night. It was late, but we set up in the dark and got into our tents to sleep. There were about half a dozen hikers at the pavilion by then. (I will combine the next two days into this entry)When I woke the next morning I did not feel well and my right foot/ankle was stiff and sore. As we were breaking camp a man drove by in a pickup truck and asked if we wanted a ride to a local restaurant for breakfast (Steve). He waited and then took us there, having breakfast with us and insisting on paying for our meals. They are so nice to hikers here in town. After that he dropped us off at a local barber shop where the barber just likes hikers and provides a hangout where you can shoot the breeze with the locals and relax. It is right next to the trail so you can hike on from there. It became obvious to me that I was getting another stomach bug, with unpleasant symptoms. That, plus my sore foot made me decide to take the day off in town. Cousin Eddie got ready and hiked out. I called Steve and he was there in 10 minutes to take me to a Microtel about five miles away where I spent the rest of the day icing my foot and taking Immodium. When I woke up today my foot felt a little better but I still have some of the other symptoms and feel weak so I am taking another day off, planning to hike out tomorrow (Friday). Please pray for that to work out. Marlene has been my long distance nurse so we have talked several times. That was nice. Goodnight Sweetheart.