Date: 2007-07-16
From: Campsite near I-81 underpass

To: Hertlin Campsite
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: broken clouds

Not a bad mileage day when you consider how awful I felt 2 days ago, that Ihaven't eaten much these last 2 days, the rocks of PA have started, and I wentinto Pine grove for resupply. It was a miserable night last night, as Isuspected. The highway noise about drove me bonkers...and to that my sleepingpad kept sliding down and away...just an awful night. I was awake most of themiddle of the night and at one point actually thought about packing up andhiking on, but I didn't have the strength to do it. I did keep reading myromance novel that I picked up at the Doyle Hotel, and I've been sure glad I hadit. I also did my meal count for the next week because in for resupply today. I finally got a bit more sleep before dawn broke. I was hiking by 10 after 7. What really nice campsites there were just a short way up the hill. I was soafraid that I wouldn't find anything and I was so physically tired that I jumpedat the first possible site...stupid me.I had great luck with rides to and from the trail. When I came to the road aguy was just coming out of the woods...a guy with piercings and tatoos, but whatthe heck..if he'd drive me I'd be happy. At first he declined because he wasgoing the other direction, but then as cars passed me by, he offered. PineGrove is a scattered industrial town and after many turns before dropping at thegrocers, I would not have been able to find my way back! Oh well, trust thatsomeone will give you a ride. The store was small, but had everything I needed. I ate the chopped pineapple as I walked through the store...I was so hungry forfresh fruit! i hate the food, the shopping, the meal planning most of all. ButI managed to come up with 3 breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. Bagels and creamcheese I'm most excited about! As I was chatting with the checkout girl about my hike, the woman behind measked "Are you hiking the Appalachian Trail? Did you hike down off thatmountain?Yes, No, got a ride...need a ride back. She offered to take me after I stoppedfor a milkshake and for batteries. So Dawn and her young daughter Hannah Reiter are my trail angels! They may think that what they did was nothing, but itmeant the world to me! Thank you again!!!I have to say I was a little panicky when the guy dropped me off because PineGrove doesn't look like a trail town. If I had had to walk the 4 miles back up,yuck! I don't even want to think about it.I finally got a voicemail from ez and they are exactly where I thought they'dbe. They will do about 10 miles into Port Clinton and I will do 18 and catch upwith them..still not sure they want me back...and I want to be sure. I've lovedthese last couple of days hiking alone. Today I didn't see one otherhiker...almost creepy! But I don"t think I want to do this for 3 more months.Oops, I lied about not seeing another hiker.. As I wastyping that, TurboTurtle hiked in. She's a young girl from Ann Arbor, Michigan. And she wasnervous that she was going to have to camp alone tonight til she saw in aregister that I was ahead of her. Well, I'm glad I can giver her comfort. She's one of the fast young kids..she left April 25! Does 20 plus miles a day!Oh to be young! But I don't think I could have done it even then! Step lightly