Date: 2014-07-04
From: Hertline Campsite

To: Microtel Hamburg
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: broken clouds

Rained all night off and on but I was dry. Awoke at 6 but waited for the rain to stop. It got cool last night so I had to put on my long sleeve shirt and my jacket over my legs. Up at 6:20, slowly packed up and had breakfast in my tent.Packed up the wet tent. Next decision was to wear rain gear or wet clothes. Decided on the wet clothes which turned out the wise decision. On the trail at 7:50. No Rain, cool, low humidity - good hiking conditions. Trail was wet but flat and smooth. Good pace but not too fast. Anticipate a 5 PM arrival in Port Clinton. Called the Port Clinton Hotel to check on rooms but they didn't open till 11. Trail went from rocky to smooth so I had a good pace. Arrived at Eagles Nest Trailhead at 11 and the shelter at 12:15. Just passed by. Got to a wide pipeline area where 2 hikers were drying their gear. I continued on to the trailhead of Phillips Canyon. Tried calling the Port Clinton Hotel numerous times but no answer. Decided to dry my tent at this area. Took a 20 min break while the 2 NOBO hikers past by. Should have stopped where they were to dry out the tent.Most of the day has been cool and breezy but started to warm up after noon. Got to the state game lands road where there was an arrow to turn left. Saw a blaze on a small rock and continued on the trail on the road. Went about 5 mins without seeing a blaze. Turned around and went back to the tree with the arrow. Turned left again and walked slowly down the trail. Saw the blaze on the rock the a second blaze on a rock then saw the blaze on the tree in the woods to the left. Very difficult to spot. I marked the road with sticks and rocks. The trail stayed rocky for the next 2 miles then went steeply downhill with loose gravel. Got to the Schuylkill Trail at 4:20. Crossed the railroad tracks and the bridge into Port Clinton arriving at 4:30. Excellent sign on a post describing what is in town. Headed to the Port Clinton Hotel about 1/4 mile up the road. Found out why there was no answer when calling. They were closed from 6/30 to 7/4. Now what to do. I could tent in their pavilion area and get my mail drop tomorrow but I need to do laundry. I waited outside the other hotel till 5 when it was to open but there was no sign it was opening soon. Called the Microtel in Hamburg but it was $100 for a room.I called a shuttle driver but no answer so I left a message. I decided to stand by the road to see if I could get a ride. Then Benny came by and offered me a ride into Hamburg. He took me to 5 guys where I had a cheeseburger, hot dog and fries. He told me I shouldn't have difficulty getting back to Port Clinton. Left 5 guys at 6 and decided to bite the bullet and stay at the Microtel. I ended getting the last room. Checked in and started my laundry. Went to the bar next door for a beer. Ended up getting 2 drafts for the price of 2 6 packs. Feet were wet today and felt like a blister on the ball of my left foot and the right heel seems bigger.Dried out the rest of my things. Adjust the waist belt on my pack and reorganized it. Bed by 11.A long day with again frustration that the lodging options were limited. But I'm doing okay. Tomorrow it is back to Port Clinton to get my new poles and mail drop.