Date: 2004-05-25
From: Route 183

To: Port Clinton, PA
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: broken clouds

Slackpacked today. Loved it.Couldn't sleep last night and was up till about 2am listening to my Ipod - every song punctuated by the roar of the tractor trailers. Don't know why - not much on my mind. I've been uncomfortable sleeping because I can't sleep the way I want to. When on my back the heels of my feet rest on the ground causing them to throb painfully. I tried to elevate them on a stuff sack full of clothes but that only postpones the throbbing. I can't sleep on my belly because it's too hot, so I'm left flipping from side to side all night like a burger.Outfitter didn't open until eleven and of course I was only able to sleep in until 7am, so I spent the morning puttering about - reading, journaling, relaxing, examining my feet, etc. I picked up my maildrop at the oputfitter when it opened, but they had even less of a boot selection then Cabela's so Fred agreed to take us back to Cabela's so I could settle on a boot before slackpacking for the day. At Cabela's I picked out a trail running shoe, the New Balance 806, because I already own a pair therefore I decided that it should be fairly easy to break them in considering I already have the properly located blisters. These didn't fit, even in a 9 - the toe was too narrow. To my horror the WIDE he brought out didn't fit either. I then tried the Merrell Chameleon Ventilator Lightweight Hiking Boots (For Women) which looked durable, lightweight, and waterproof. The salesmen came from the back room with box in hand claiming he didn't have a 9 or 9 1/2, only a size 10. I instantly protested and tried to put my foot down (tired to put my BIG foot down) about size limits but he insisted I give them a shot - a least for the sake of perspective. The truth is it was a Cinderella story - they fit like a glove and my toes were sooooo happy to finally have some space. I tromped around the store a bit and ran up and down their faux hiking hill to check for slippage. So far so good - they really seemed to fit well in all areas. I was pressed for time and mostly satisfied so I bought them. Size 10. My dad asked me if they came with oars.Fred then gave us a ride to the trail so we could slackpack for the day but I suggested we only hike 14+ miles instead of 24. I didn't feel like breaking in new boots on a 24 mile day - that's asking for trouble. It was a beautiful day and great to be hiking without our packs. Not too hot and the bugs seemed to be on holiday. We took our time and chatted most of the afternoon away, stopping to sit at most vistas and returning to PC by 6pm. Had to be one of my favorite days hiking so far - good views, no pack, and my feet were just so relieved. I felt like I was wearing a Cadillac on each foot - you know how they have that particularly easy ride with the suspension that actually sways a bit from side to side?? It was heaven compared to the past few days of hiking. And no new blisters to speak of, yet, but I still had the old ones.The night was uneventful. We picked up our gear at Fred's and he hooked Semi-Joy up with more Yuengling. At the pavilion we were reunited with Dad and Mack who had hiked over from 501. John, Sunshine, and the Asian man were also staying at the pavilion. Last nights residents (Gentle Ben, Coca-Cola Kid, and Drifter) had already moved on. We just hung out and chatted for a bit until the sun went down. Sunshine rolled in totally tanked and proceed to tell us in painful detail an unsolicited account of his entire life. I journeled and ignored him but Semi-Joy feigned interest. What a trooper.So the plan is to do only 15 tomorrow and hit the Eckville Shelter. The following three days after that will be near 20 milers so I don't mind taking it easy for another day - still breaking in the boots and all.