Date: 2017-07-11
From: Unnamed Campsite at Mile 1206.2

To: Port Clinton, PA
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: clear sky

7/11Unnamed Campsite at Mile 1206.2 to Port Clinton,  PA11.6 milesTotal miles:  1217.8Note: I was able to upload the photos from Duncannon to Port Clinton tonight.It rained a little last night, but not enough to even get the tent wet. I was on the trail a bit before 8:00 with an 11.6 mile hike ahead of me to get to Port Clinton.  The trail was typical for the area, with some very easy hiking interspersed with more difficult rock maneuvering.  I hiked through an area of planned-burn forest that was burned back in May.  The understory was lush and growing, so it appears the burn was a success.  I interrupted a family of chipmunks chasing each other around a tree.  It was fun watching their play. One posed long enough for a photo. I came across Leapfrog and Extra Mile slackpacking, and they had more goodies for me today. There was Clementine oranges, a honey bun, and French Vanilla coffee that Leapfrog had gotten from her hotel and poured into a Nalgene bottle.  She even remembered paper cups.  It wasn't hot, of course, but it was absolutely delicious, nonetheless. Thanks again, you two!  I made good time toward Port Clinton.  On a fallen tree across the trail, I came across a painted rock that was left there. I believe there is a significance, but I opted to take a photo of it and leave it for another hiker to find.  The descent into town was incredibly steep, but I was soon at the bottom, and entered Port Clinton.  I was excited to find that the trail into town first crossed the tracks of the Reading and Northern Railroad. A successful shortline railroad that employs over two hundred people, I learned a great deal about it from talking with Ray, an employee of the railroad who was kind enough to talk with me and understood my enthusiasm for railroads. I watched some switching being done and a maintenance car return to the home yard.  Ray told me the R&N RR also does excursion trips and even owns a steam locomotive that it runs on occasion.  I spent nearly an hour at the railroad before heading into town. The AT goes right though Port Clinton, which has an old-time charm that immediately impressed me.  Gravity stopped at the Post Office while I walked on to the Port Clinton Hotel.  Housed in an old building that used to serve as a stage coach stop, the hotel also includes a bar and restaurant.  I checked into the hotel and met Pam, who would later be our server at dinner.  The hotel understandably asks hikers to shower before coming in to eat.  Since the last shower I've had was before Duncannon, I was only too happy to oblige. While walking into town, I met Dory and Splat, who joined Gravity and me for dinner. We then all hung out in our room while we did our laundry.  Laundry takes on a huge significance on the trail. It still amazes me how bad a sock can smell only to come out of the washer and dryer all fresh and ready to get stinky again tomorrow.  Likewise, my hiking shirt and pants, which were literally drippng with sweat when I entered town, were almost miraculously transformed into dry, nice-smelling garments. I'm not sure I will ever take clean clothes for granted again.  Of course, all this freshness will last all of about an hour tomorrow.  After the laundry was done, Dory and Splat left to stay at the hiker pavilion at the end of town.  I am looking forward to a special treat tomorrow. Dapper Dan's fiancee, Bekka, is meeting me at the Eckville Shelter tomorrow evening, and she, Gravity, and I are going out to dinner.  She and Dapper are from this area, and she would like to meet me.  Dapper is already in New York, but we keep track of each other.  It's amazing to think back on that very first night on the trail, over three months ago, when we first met while he was setting up his tent.  Dapper, Alex, Space Jam, Billy, and Reed were the first group I hiked with, and I love to keep up with their progress.  I am deeply touched that Bekka told me that they consider me their trail dad. If everything goes according to plan, it won't be too long before they, Juan Gone, Monty, Leapfrog and Extra Mile, Gravity, Dory and Splat, and I, along with other friends I have met and have yet to meet, will be summiting Katahdin, and the hiking part of this journey will end. I am so happy to know that I will, in some small way, remain involved with my new friends as they continue their life journeys after the trail.  This, for me, may be the best Trail Magic of all.