Date: 2006-02-10
To: Prep Hike # 12
Miles today: 0.0

02-20-06 Friday, PA. Rt. 183 to Port Clinton PA. 14.4 miles.   It has been a busy week leading up to this weekend. One of my Scout Masters passed away on Sunday at the young age of 52. Makes one remember that tomorrow is never promised, today is a gift, live life to its fullest.   On Thursday I went and gave blood, getting into the multi gallon club now. We were packed up and on the road by 10:30 AM.   I slept most of the way as I felt a bit drained. We stopped for lunch around 1:00 PM and DeJaVue had some Chili, he made a comment on how it did not taste that good, but ate it anyway.   We got to the parking area at Rt.183 and had my pack on in no time. I walked around the parking area while DeJaVue got ready.   It was not bad, temperature wise, being about 38 degrees. Snow was forecast for this weekend, as a Northeaster was suppose to hit on Saturday night into Sunday.    Up on the trail we soon got onto the rocks again. After doing these training hikes on them, I don't think I will mind what I encounter down in Georgia. We were up on the ridge line when we saw a bird take flight, then noticed it was a Red-Headed Woodpecker, about 12 inches in height. DeJaVue said that I would see some down south bigger then this one. Watched him tap into a tree for a minute, then moved on before it gave me a headache. How do they do that without getting one?   Nice camping area at Black Swatara Spring.   Crossed a small stream a mile or so ahead, and felt good being back on the trail. As I was hiking from here, I got in a zone. I just kept going and going as soon left DeJaVue far behind.   Came across two South bound hikers, one saying he was surprised to see anyone else out on the trail. I told him that I was surprised to see anyone on New Years Eve too, but then heck there are those out already doing their thru hikes.   I got to the Eagle Nest Trail and think that someone got the paint mixed up. Was a light blue color for the AT, had to keep looking back (South) to make sure it was still the AT. I was glad when they stopped the dual color.   I got to Eagle Nest Shelter and relaxed. It was almost a half hour before DeJaVue showed up. He said I just took off like a rocket, He even asked the two South bounders if they had seen me, to make sure I was still a head him.    I started to get things ready for the night. We collected firewood and put some off to the side of the shelter for future hikers. DeJaVue got a camp fire going as I was making my dinner. The temperature was dropping and it was not long before I was in my sleeping bag to keep warm.   The glow inside the shelter was nice as the flames flickered outside and soon I was asleep.   I woke up and switched positions as the shelter floor was slanted towards the back. All the blood was rushing to my head.   At about 3:30 AM was woken by an Owl who kept repeating the same question,   WHOOOOOO, about a 15 second pause, WHOOOOOO.   This went on for a minute and then stopped. Two minutes later it started up again, not sure if the same Owl had moved or was being answered. 02-11-06   Saturday   Up before 7:00 AM, It was in the low 20's this morning. Very overcast.   I looked at DeJaVue and he did not look good.   He said he had gotten sick overnight, must of been that Chili. He said he was going to hike back to the car, and would meet me in Port Clinton. We would decide what we were going to do at that point. He packed up and was on his way.   I made breakfast and took my time in packing. I was on the trail about 7:40 AM.   I did not push myself and enjoyed the hike. Not too much wildlife in this area that I saw, only saw a crow as I came to one of the overlooks. There were two overlooks as I was hiking to Port Clinton. I soon was on the steep decent into Port Clinton.   When I got to the bottom with the railroad crossing and the river running thru, was almost like a postcard.   As I came up to the road where the Post Office is, I saw our vehicle, DeJaVue was awake, but not looking much better. I put my pack in back and had just opened the passenger door, when DeJaVue's alarm went off. He had figured out my hiking speed and distance and set it for what time he thought I would be there, boy is he good.   DeJaVue told me that the forecast was for up to 12 inches of snow in Philadelphia, which is where we have to go thru to get back home. With this fact and that he was still not feeling good, we decided not to hike on to Windsor Furnace Shelter, and just call it quits for this weekend.   Original plans had been to hike into Eckville Shelter on Sunday and then home.Next weekend is another weekend, can do it then for sure.   It started to snow as we reached the NE extension of the PA. Turnpike. When we got onto the Atlantic City Expressway it was a mix, and by the time we were getting off of the Expressway it was all rain.   High winds and snow came overnight. I know that there are those who are out hiking now and wish them all the best out of this storm. as it came up the coast. Happy Hiking all until next week. A month from now I will be ready for my start!!