Date: 2013-09-21
From: Port Clinton, PA

To: The Pavilion - Port Clinton, PA
Miles today: 0.0

Yeah...don't regret my decision to yellow-blaze at all! Today worked out so perfectly! And none of it would have happened if we weren't at this place at this time. So, here's what happened: we went to breakfast at the 3Cs Diner, which was yummy. While we were eating, Chicory showed up and got seated right next to us! We easily talked her into coming to the Yuengling Brewery with us. So, after breakfast, we hitched the 15 miles down PA 61 to Pottsville where the Brewery is. Surprisingly, we got a hitch immediately (which was a surprise on this road I thought) by a nice but strange guy. It freaked us out at first because he talked for a couple minutes before letting us in the car, and we tried to tell him where we were going, but he said he wasn't going that far, so we backed off thinking he was telling us nevermind. But then he said "In God's name, get in the car!" And we were like...what the heck? But realized he was nice and just really religious; with his accent, his tone sounded threatening, but that was not at all how he meant it. So, we got in. He talked the entire way about how it was God's will that he pick us up, and if we kill him, well that's God's will too. He talked about his country and how there, you help everyone, but here, no one helps anyone ever, so he was sent to us as God's angel to help us get to where we needed to go. It was interesting. The brewery tour was really cool, so I'm glad it was God's will. This brewery is the oldest brewery in America that is still in operation. It was a really cool place! After the tour, we were trying to hint at people in our tour group that we would need a ride back to Port Clinton - but to no avail. As soon as we put our packs back on though, we ended up getting the coolest hitch EVER!! We walk out of the brewery with out packs, and a guy, Dave, stops us and asks us about hiking and how far we're going, etc. He asked how we got here, and we told him we got off trail in Port Clinton and hitched here. Dave asked us if we needed anything, or a ride somewhere, we told him back to Port Clinton if he was going that way. His response was "Great! We're going right past there, come on!" He leads us to a group of about 20 other people...standing in front of a big pink party bus! He informs everyone that we're hikers and will be joining them for a few miles. Turns out, it's his 50th birthday. Everyone was super excited and it was amusing how they immediately adopted us into their group, gave us food and beer, and talked to us the whole time! No one seemed to think there was anything weird about it at all! It was so awesome! Dave came to the back of the bus and talked to us, gave us Yuengling hats, and signed them for us =P It was so cool! They dropped us off, and everyone clapped as we got off - that part was weird. But AWESOME! Best. Hitch. EVER! Our plan was to hike out and do a half day, but it was supposed to pour all evening/night, starting about when we'd be hiking in the almost dark, into the shelter...so we stayed in Port Clinton again with Chicory! The Pavilion in town is free. Good decision: we went down the road to the Firehouse, a bar attached to the fire station, for some food, and the drinks there were waaaaaayy cheap! Better than that though, we went to order at about 4:15, and the bartender informs us that there is a pig roast tonight from 5:00-8:00 with all you can eat pork and deer and other stuff, and all you can drink draft beer. All for $12! Done! It was delicious! We finally called it a night, and I was glad we'd stayed, today was awesome. It poured all night...but my stuff is all dry! =) Great day.