Date: 2015-06-22
From: Port Clinton

To: Windsor Furnace Shelter
Miles today: 5.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Check out time at the Port Clinton Hotel is an early 9 a.m. I decided to get up early, have a hearty breakfast up the road at 3C's, clear out of my room, work on my trail journal while I waited for the post office to open at 12:30 so I could pick up my resupply box and lighter sleeping bag, then hit the trail. Almost none of my great plan worked out.The restaurant was closed because of a problem with their well. However, I did run into a lady I met on the trail down south, Mosey, and we had a nice chat.I cleared out my room, but did not receive my $10 deposit back for the room key and towel. I spoke with both owners via phone, and they were absolutely rude. They claimed I refused to pay the $10 deposit when I checked in. If I refused to follow their rules and pay the deposit, WHY was I rented a room??? WHY was I given a second towel when I requested one???? And WHY did I fill out a form to have the deposit mailed to me if I left really early and no one was around to give me back the $10???The only people at the hotel were the cleaning ladies. I think I was the only guest. The room charge is over $60 plus the $10 deposit. In return you get a small walk up room with a window a/c unit, a tiny TV, a shared bath down the hall, a lumpy bed, and ripped off. What a deal!!! I suspect that most hikers leave early in the morning, continue up the AT, and forget that they are supposed to receive the $10 deposit back. I am planning to investigate whether other hikers have been ripped off by the Port Clinton Hotel too.The locals suggested I contact the PA State Police. I did. They refused to do anything. They claimed it was a civil matter, but also stated that it was unlikely that anyone outside PA would return to pursue $10, which is probably what the hotel is counting on. Afterall, they had my address on the deposit form and knew I was from Florida.Fortunately I was able to work on my trail journal, and there were at least 2 very nice people I ran across while in Port Clinton. The lady at the little post office was nice, and the gentleman who owns the barbershop across the street was extremely nice and very hiker friendly. He let hikers charge their cell phones, sit in front of his shop in the shade and go through their packages, and offered us cookies, turnovers, and coffee. It was there that I met Marbles, formally known as Slum Dog. He is just 18 years old, but one of the nicest and most considerate young men I have met to date on the AT. His sister sent him a bunch of homemade cookies, and he shared. (You always have to wonder whether a fellow thru hiker is sharing food to be nice or just to lessen their pack weight. But I think Marbles was truly being kind and generous.) His parents obviously did a fine job raising him.I also ran into Columbo, the guy with the heal injury. He was still very appreciative for my help, and I was very glad he was doing so well. Turns out he owns his own auto repair business and is a highly skilled mechanic.   Once again, you cannot judge a book by its cover, especially on the AT.By the time I finished my trail journal, retrieved my boxes at the post office, repacked my backpack, got my old sleeping bag boxed up to mail home, and visited with Marbles & Columbo, it was close to 5 p.m. I have no idea where time goes on the trail.I still had a few hours of daylight, and the next shelter was only 5.7 miles, so I hit the trail. Along the way I met Cast Away, a very thin, long haired, long bearded guy who had a small soccer ball with a painted face attached to his pack. He looked very much like Tom Hanks in the movie.I easily made it to the shelter before dark. When I was getting close to the shelter I started to notice the lightening bugs in the grass at the edge of the trail. I love lightening bugs. Marbles, Cast Away, and a handful of other hikers were already there, but there was still plenty of room for me. They were all nice polite guys. I was the only woman and the oldest person there. (Unfortunately most of the women my age or older hiking solo have dropped off the trail.) So I slept in the shelter with 4 men I barely knew - I am very glad my husband understands the situation. Obviously it does not sound good on its face.The AT is calling. I am glad to be back on the trail and out of Port Clinton!!!