Date: 2003-06-19
From: Port Clinton, PA

To: Eckville Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: light rain

Am up early and looking for the A.T. out of town. Sneaky, sneaky! They did a switchback as soon as the Trail hit the city limits. It's a light drizzle as I start out, and immediately I'm hailed down by Not the Kennedys who are finishing up a couple of zero days with Dag, a hiker who they met earlier, and who has completely finished his thru hike only one week before. I tip my hat to Dag and shake his hand to sincerely complement him on his achievement. I can only imagine what it must feel like to FINALLY be done with this walking. Dag slackpacked Not the Kennedys to Eckville Shelter, so both John and Jackie were hiking with only a day pack and their sticks. We only had time for a few pleasantries before they pulled away from me going fast up the ridge. "Save me a spot at the shelter" was the last thing I shouted their way as they disappeaared into the forrest in front of me. The forecast was for showers this day, and increasing chances of thunderstorms tonite. Maybe it will be ok. I have to do miles no matter what. Pocahontas Spring was an absolute little Eden with birds, chipmunks, and a small ferret looking for grasshoppers and mice. Windsor Furnace was surrounded with colored glass fragments, greens, blues, pinks, so that I suspect that the furnace might have been for glass manufacture. Perhaps not, but the glass-globs are all along the Trail for 1/2 mi. or so. If these are natural, then they sure do come in a rainbow of colors. The sky is getting darker, but no rain yet as I pass Pulpit Rock, Blue Rocks Trail, and finally "The Pinnacle". It's getting late, I'm tired and I miss the turn to Eckville Shelter and there are no accommodating Five Alive to point out my mistake this time. It's getting later and darker when the lightening and thunder finally bring the rainstorms. I'm more than 2 miles past the shelter and getting soaked in the rain when I finally turn around to go back. It's 7:30 and I've hiked more than 20 miles total, when I walk into the shelter streaming wet. It's full up already. "I'll bunk on the floor" I tell them. God Bless Not the Kennedys as John volunteers to double up and bunk with Jackie and gives me his bunk. I almost kiss him 'cause I'm so beat and wet. A couple of Mountain Dew's out of the refrigerator bring me almost back to life. Eckville Shelter has sodas and snacks for sale (unlike the 501 shelter) and we can order pizza delivered, too. The caretaker is a burly, authoritarian type guy who walks around telling smokers to "pick up that cigarette butt" and bursting with rules and regulations about trash disposal, and how to crush aluminum soda cans. (Several days later, we learn that the next wave of hikers to arrive will be punished for our group's failure to follow these rules to the letter.)Even in the rain, hikers continue to dribble into the shelter. It's now that I learn that Just Do It has fallen on the rocks at Pulpit Rocks and has broken his wrist in 3 places. I think, "the strong march on, the weak fall by the wayside". (In only 3 more days, I will have fallen again and lacerated my own hand.) But tonight, everyone is saying how "too bad" it is about Just Do It breaking his wrist, as we chow down on the pizzas that have been delivered in the storm. That night, No-See-Ums eat everyone all nite long. Bug repellent helps for awhile, but the miniscule flying fleas cannot be escaped from and I hear hikers slapping unseen bugs until dawn.