Date: 2015-06-06
From: Campsite @ Mile 1169.9

To: Campsite @ Mile 1196.5
Miles today: 26.6
Weather: few clouds

With some effort and two very long 7' branches, I was able to dislodge my para cord from the 16' branch. The loop knot had wrapped around some bark tightly. I didn't think it would get it dislodged but I finally did so I wouldn't have to cut my rope and leave rope dangling from the tree.So a delayed start but I covered the first 8 miles quickly since it was breezy. On top of Second Mountain, I called the Port Clinton Post Office. Crafty and I both have packages to pick up and I did not realize the PCPO had very limited business hours. 12:30-4:30 pm M-F and 8-11 am Sat. Nor did I realize June 7th was a Sunday, the day I told my mom I would be in PC. On the trail, you often forget which day of the week it is and if is a holiday. Fortunately the PCPO employees are incredibly helpful and agreed to take my package across the street to the barbershop so I could pick it up when I pass through town. Another lesson learned! At Rausch Gap I met a weekend hiker who told me he had met someone from Florida who started from Harpers Ferry and was struggling with the elevation. Everything is relative but we have not really been more than 1500 ft very often. I startles and was startled by a black snake who fled the trail.I met up with Summit Frog getting water. He had passed me earlier in the mountain descent. We chatted and he moved on. He's very fast. Crossing under I-81 I missed the AT turnoff and ended up walking down a gravel road. I had to google myself to see where I missed the turn since it wasn't very clear. The turn off was right under the interstate which I didn't expect. I lost some time but got back on the trail and started the steep climb up the ridge. Some weekend hikers offered me horseradish cheese which I politely declined and then they admitted it wasn't very good. It's been 700 miles since I have hiked alone the entire day. It's a different experience. Company is always nice but it's also nice to let your own thoughts wander where they may. I also realized after 8 hours of hiking I had not sat down at all! Partly because there have not been any views which is when we usually break anyway. Partly because whenever a rock bed pops up which is often, I just want to get through it. And partly because I just don't think about it unless someone else does. I finally did sit down for 8 minutes when finally passed by a log and remembered! I startled another small snake. For some reason I see a lot of snakes on the trail! My goal was to get to the 501 Shelter because it has a shower! So the last four miles I hiked quickly since I wanted to also cook dinner and then hike a couple more miles to camp before dark. I finally arrived just before 6 pm. I chatted with Dennis, a hiker who wants to hike for 40 days for her personal religious reasons. And Alex who is now homeless so he is hiking southbound to NC where his brother attends college and he hopes to find a job. Kudzu, Boxcar and Kilroy all arrived. I packed up and headed out at 7 and hiked about 3 miles to a campsite at the top of the ridge. I think it's near the Shower Steps. I enjoy eating dinner and then hiking a couple more hours till 8:30 pm. The weather is cooler and I have energy from dinner. I may continue this as the weather gets hotter and hotter. Maybe I should also eat dinner food for breakfast and breakfast food for dinner.I set up my tent and enjoyed the view of the setting sun from the rocks.