Date: 2017-05-07
From: Rock'n'Sole hostel

To: Hamburg
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: few clouds

5/7Hamburg Microtel14.6 miles plus~3 on Schuylkill trail and elsewhereI don't think its possible for me to overstate how much I like The Rock'n'Sole hostel. Craig and Jody are delightful people. The bunkroom, though it's built into a former shed, is clean and cozy. Dinner and breakfast are built into the deal, and they're *good*. Jody is a fabulous cook. The breakfasts are better than what I've gotten in most B&Bs, and the dinners are tasty, filling, and involve actual vegetables - which I crave after eating trail food. Jody dropped us off this morning. The four men and I were amused to discover that we were all wearing blue raincoats. We hiked together for a while, but the men soon outpaced me. Most were planning to go to Eagle's Nest shelter five miles in. I planned on a fourteen plus mile day, putting me in Hamburg to buy some warmer gear for cold nights ahead. I walked through a prescribed burn zone. The burn was three days ago. It was eerie to walk through the burned area, which was extensive. I walked in it for over an hour. When I reached the end of it, green slapped me in the face. The transition from bare branches and blackened wood to a wall of bright spring green was nearly overwhelming. At 11 I stopped by a campsite to eat lunch. I noticed a sleeping bag in the woods that looked like it had a person in it. After calling and receiving no response, I walked back and nudged it. My heart nearly stopped when the first thing I saw was a glove, but it was an empty glove. The sleeping bag was soaked and heavy, but I determined that there was no body underneath.  Mission accomplished ( and day simplified - I really didn't want to call 911 about another body) I ate lunch and then moved on. Shortly thereafter I met my only other hiker of the day - Chris/Southwind. We spoke briefly on a fairly steep hill. He said he helped organize the Flip Flop Festival and I wondered if he were Laurie Potteiger's husband but didn't ask. I kept walking. I wasn't in the mood to listen so the earphones stayed stowed. My body was in one of its "everybody out!" moods so I stopped to dig a hole on several occasions. I grabbed some snacks from my fanny pack and found the zipper failing. That fanny pack has served me day and night on many, many hikes. It's gotten worn so thin that the fabric is nearly translucent. I have never found anything I like as much to replace it, but I'll be forced to do without it now. Vale, worthy fanny pack. Right before the steep downhill into Port Clinton, I sat down on a rock to take a break. Hail started immediately. I watched in disbelief as it bounced off my knees. Then I hauled myself upright and headed downhill. Hail just reinforced the point that I needed some warmer gear. When I hit the Schuylkill trail I headed down it as fast as I could go. I passed several locals walking or biking, and one hiker that I've met several times. He was headed back to the trail. Eventually I got to the end and followed the road into town until I reached the Microtel. I've stayed there before so check in was fast. I wasn't sure I had the energy to stay awake after 17+ miles of walking. But I showered and visited the attached bar for dinner, then bought laundry soap at the front desk. Walking back to my room I noticed a woman in hiking clothes and introduced myself. She turned out to be Furby, who I knew from facebook. We chatted briefly but my feet were killing me so I excused myself back to my room. I don't have the energy to stay up so I'll do laundry in the morning before I attack Cabela's and Walmart to take care of my various needs. I got the motel room for two nights after considering that my next zero option is in Delaware Water Gap. I didn't feel like I needed it until the extra three miles into town.