Date: 2016-05-29
From: Eagles Nest Shelter

To: Port Clinton/Hamburg PA (Microtel Hotel)
Miles today: 9.0

Eagles Nest Shelter to Port Clinton PA for 9 milesWe were joined at the camp site on the blue blaze trail to the shelter, by 5 weekend hikers and Mustard Seed. We hit the trail this morning at 7:40 am. It was pretty rocky, as we expected! (small pointed ones, hidden under leaves or just hard to avoid at all and big boulders, those move under your feet and Big Cypress almost fell hard) Not happy about it, but not a surprise. We leapfrogged the morning with Mustard Seed, Shao, Rocky Cat (not Rocket as I thought), Burning Leaf and Unknown. After a EXTREMELY Steep trail going down into Port Clinton we popped out of the woods at a bit after 11. Headed for Hwy 61 toward Hamburg, as we have reservations at Microtel. Stuck our thumbs out. Oops, first vehicle way far away looks like it is a police suv. So....no thumbs!! Just walking. We aren't sure of the laws about hitching in PA. So....yes, it was a State Trooper. We walk and wait, then thumbs out again.....nothing! Then, we see the trooper turning around. I say, "well we are about to get a ride or a ticket". Trooper Hillbish pulled over and asked Big Cypress, where are you going? He said Hamburg. Where in Hamburg? Big replied, the Microtel. He said would you like a ride? Thank you Jesus, Yes!! The hotel was less than 2 miles away, but 61 is a 4 lane divided highway and very busy! Plus, it's sunny and hot/humid. So.....there we were getting a ride!! My first time in a police car!! Interesting!! Trooper Hillbish didn't even lecture us. (we Googled the law and yes, it's illegal) We learned that our Trail Angel Hillbish is an 5 year active duty Army veteran and in the National Guard now. We pulled up to the hotel and I tried to get out.....daaa.... My Polish-ness was showing, can't let myself out, I'm in a police car LOL!! We thanked him profusely and checked in at noon. Got a picture from Unknown, Shao, Rocky Cat and Burning Leaf. They are staying at the Port Clinton Hotel and aren't very happy about it!! But, holiday weekend, choices are limited!! We booked a week ahead for fear of not getting a room. The usual chores...laundry, soaking in tub, cleaning and gear maintenance. Then we walked to Cracker Barrel for Linner (lunch/dinner). Then across the highway to Cabela's and Wal-Mart. We saw the 4 guys while we were walking. The got a ride from a gentleman, while walking, not even trying to get a ride. We ended up getting a few things at both places and then the guys went to Pappy T's restaurant/pub in our hotel and asked us to join them. So we did!! I talked to our son Shawn for about a hour, while I soaked my feet. He asked for a dinner with his brothers for his birthday, so he wanted to tell us and we wanted to hear all about it!! Can't believe Shawn is 20!! Wowwie!! Big worked on figuring out where our resupply boxes are!!! We called Port Clinton post office to get boxes sent to the hotel, since Monday is holiday, so we didn't have to wait until Tuesday for PO to open!! Well.....now the boxes are Not here and MIA. We think we might get food at Wal-Mart and have Microtel do a return to sender. So....???? Crazy!! Well, God has His hands all over us. We really were supposed to be out for 7 sleeps. I sent family that we were out for 6. We pushed miles a couple days, to get into town on Sunday, only because the trail was ok enough to do longer miles, which made it 6 sleeps and God made it happen!! Plus, there's a yucky Tropical Storm/Depression lurking about to bring bad weather and.....We are safe and indoors now!! Critters: Black Racer Snake with an attitude! One poke to move and it reared up AND rattled its tail in the leaves, pretending to Rattle !! Didn't know they did that!! Pretty tricky!!