Date: 2009-07-02
From: Port Clinton

To: Allen Town Hiking Club Shelter
Miles today: 22.6
Weather: broken clouds

Phrase of the Day: "Let the countdown begin - Three"We were all up and down eating the continental breakfast by 6:30. We figured the earlier we were up and out the better luck we would have finding a way back to Port Clinton. While sitting there eating we spied two hikers. We thought that maybe they were section hikers and that maybe we might be able to score a ride with them back to the trail. Turns out that they had been on the trail since Daleville - doing a pretty good size section. So, they did not have a car either. The pair was Rockimini and Grahm Cracker. I had seen their names in the journals, but had never met them prior. They said that they had zeroed at the hotel and had talked to the night desk manager (Eric) who was going to give them a ride back to Port Clinton when he got off of work at 7.   We had an idea - Garage Man and I voted that Startrek go up and try to yogi us a ride. He had already said that he was going to go up to the gas station up the road to see if he could get a ride, so he was game and we were game to let him. We told him to beg if he had too. Off he went.A few minutes later, he was back. Eric said yes. He couldn't bring us with the two women, but would come back to get us. How cool is that? THANK YOU - Eric. He had us back to Port Clinton by 7:30. I was on the trail hiking by 7:35. Way too cool.Perfect ending to what could have been a total bummer.Garage Man had to go to the PO and Startrek went to find someplace to change into his hiking skirt. I never saw them again.The climb out of Port Clinton was as bad as the climb down into town. But, once I was up it was a pretty good hike. Had lots of great views today. Hadn't really had any good views in PA, but today made up for them. Lots and lots of rocks. I could tell last night and this morning that I did a long, rocky hike yesterday. My calfs, knees, and ankles ached. The bottoms of both feet are killing me. My left foot was screaming today. It is a wierd sensation - tingly and numb.I made it to the road that the shelter that I planned to stay at by 2. It was too early and too nice out to stop hiking. I decided to push on the extra 7.5 miles to the next shelter. I wanted to go down and leave a note for Garage Man, but the shelter was .2 miles down the road. I didn't want to waste time hiking an extra .4 miles, so I called his cell phone and left him a voice message. Adding the extra miles today would make tomorrow a shorter day. The hike tomorrow was going to be over 24miles - so this would reduce it to under 20. It took me until 6:30 to do the extra miles. Coming off the road was pretty good, but then there was a climb up Hawk Mountain. Steep and long. But, once I was up it was pretty straight forward. I was hoping that the Garage Man would show up, but he didn't. As of right now, I have three more days until I finish my hike in Delaware Water Gap. I almost wish I could continue and finish New Hampshire and Maine. Mainly because physically I am in really good shape. Yes there is pain everday, but I am able to do some really good miles. I just feel like if I wait until next year I will be starting over again physically and those two states are the toughest states. But, mentally I have had enough. I miss my girls and can't wait to get home. I am just tired of the grind. Birdsong and I discussed it many times while we hiked. I decided that type A people are not perfect for doing a thru hike. Or at least this type A person. I like things planned and controlled. The people that I have met out here that love it the most are the people who just go with the flow. They don't plan, they don't mind hitching, they just float along and do what has to be done. That just is too stressful for me. I can deal with stress - I have done it my entire working career. It is just a different kind of stress. Stress where you have no control.   But that is ok. I am fine with never doing a through hike. I came to peace with that decision back in 2007. Too me what is important is to finish the hike. To have never blue-blazed or yellow-blazed, but to have hiked every white blaze no matter how long it takes.I just can't wait to get home to see my family and to get to work on some projects. Found another penny up to $3.41.