Date: 2018-05-23
From: Rock N Sole hostel PA route 183

To: Campsite at mile 1213.8
Miles today: 10.8

I want to share a funny story about yesterday morning. And I'll let a little secret out that not even Brian knows....well he will when he reads this. I'm in love with men's underwear. Yes, you read that right. Wind Eagle told me about men's underwear when I got my new shoes at Dick's Sporting goods. I mentioned that when it's hot I don't like to wear leggings under my skirt but I want something like bicycle shorts without the padded bum. When I'm crawling over trees and blow down I want some coverage and also I could avoid using body glide on my thighs that way. She said she wears men's boxer briefs and loves them. She directed me to the under armour brand and I tried them. I love them and I feel it's really unfair that men have kept these from us for decades. Ridiculous! I know we women have "boy shorts" but trust me, those are not designed for the comfort of the wearer...there's a different intent there. Anyway, River wears them too and my only complaint about this brand is that they have a 6" inseam and when I'm hiking the legs do ride up. At Breakfast yesterday before all the guests arrived River and I were talking about this and Sandals began to explain that he wears another brand Mack Weldon and they have a soft wasteband and an 8" inseam. He dropped his hiking shorts to his knees and modeled them for us just as Jody came out onto the porch and saw him from behind and River and I in front of him. We all had a great laugh and the underwear debate continued as Chase went and got a pair of Meundies to show us. I'm going to try the Mack Weldon brand because the hem on the legs in wider and they're 8". Last night I woke up at 1:30 to a thunderstorm and waited for it to pass then visited the privy. It's a good thing the honey dripper comes Wednesday because that thing is really getting full! For a moment I was concerned that I was sleeping in a tuna can but I was able to reassure myself and be comforted. I went back to sleep until 5:30 and then lounged in bed until 6:15 when I utilized the outdoor shower, brushed and dressed for breakfast. Another full house and I took a seat with Steady, River and one of the 60's siblings. Breakfast was amazing yet again with fresh fruit, egg casserole with veggies and one with bacon and a 3rd with cinnamon rolls. Fresh fruit, juice, coffee and water. Bittersweet, because we will pack up and leave after breakfast. I said my goodbye to Sugar and Chase and went back to Trashy to pack up my bag and be ready to leave when Craig returned from dropping the 60's siblings at Route 183. They're 3 sisters hiking together and they had no hiking experience. They spend 2 weeks together each year at Christmas. I think they're having a blast and I wish them everything they want from this experience. It's very nice to meet them! I said goodbye to Trashy and joined T-Bird and River outside. Craig returned in the Camry and we loaded our packs into the trunk and piled in. I thanked Craig for making us feel so special and genuinely caring for hikers. River agreed and thanked him as well and Craig expressed that he doesn't know if this will be their last season. He's lost his faith in doctors and is seeing 2 oncologist in the coming weeks. If his illness is determined serious or life threatening he won't make the choice to continue serving hikers. The mood is heavy. We arrive at the turnout by the trail and hug Craig goodbye. I'll pray for him and his family. Today's hike was nothing special. Lots and lots of mud to hike thru. No views. The first 6 miles went by rather quickly and just before Eagle's Nest shelter I heard a familiar sounding champagne cork pop. I thought for a minute and then I turned around and saw Thumper. She'd caught up to us. The champagne cork sound is actually her broken trekking pole. When it gets stuck in the mud the pole stays behind and the handle pops off in her hand making that sound which makes me laugh. I feel so badly but it's really funny. She's been dealing with this broken pole for over a week I think. She ordered new poles yesterday from a more experienced company and she's looking forward to getting them. I hope she gets a refund on the others, they lasted less than 150 miles. We all stopped at Eagle's nest shelter for lunch. Right behind us the 60s siblings, Steady and Rx arrived. Steady and Rx are staying there tonight. Rx is having a shin problem. Hopefully he can get it to heal and continue hiking. It was a nice lunch break. My regret is that we didn't soak our feet before heading out to finish the last 4 miles. We filtered some water in the brook and headed out to the muddy trail. Mud was the deal for today and one steep but short rock climb. At Phillips spring we watered up and carried it the last .40 mile to a small campsite just at the side of the trail where Thumper, River, Sandals, T-Bird and myself will spend the night. We enjoyed dinner together and conversation, cleaned up and hung our bear bags on the other side of the trail and Thumper placed her bear can nearby. By 7:30 I was in my tent talking to Brian thru Marco Polo and journaling. Then I discovered snack wrappers in my skirt so I had to get the bear bag down and put them in then hoist it again. Note to self, check everything before hanging the bag! I can hear the birds. River is next to me in her tent and she shared her ibuprofen with me so I wouldn't have to get up again. Tomorrow we will hike into Port Clinton and visit the barber shop where they love hikers and we can charge our phones and share a cup of coffee. We might visit a few other places as we hike thru. I've heard the steep hike into town is a knee crusher!