Date: 2003-06-13
From: Port Clinton PA (Port Clinton Hotel)

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

Day 92 Avg Mls/Day 13.2Weather: Foggy, cloudy, warm, humid, damp and dreary. Looking for more evening thunder showers. High temp in mid 80'sToday's Nature: In a word...wet. Everything is wet...the air, trees, leaves, trail, rocks, grass, mud...everything is saturated.Did I mention timing is everything on the Trail. I couldn't have picked a better night to be in the Port Clinton Hotel. It remained warm and muggy last night while more showers and thunderstorms broke out after dark. I ran the ac in my room all night. Even though I had to share the hall bath with others, it was worth the $35 to be inside, cool and dry.Did I talk about the food in the hotel yesterday? They serve a plate of "hiker fries" like I've never seen before. I had those and a fish sandwich for dinner.Woke up at 5 and turned on the Weather Channel...Yep, more showers today (60%) and tomorrow. Might get a break on Sunday. Packed up and got ready to leave, looked around and couldn't find my Leki hiking poles. Oh no!...I left them outside yesterday when I was waiting for a room and doing my mail. Looked outside and they were gone...nowhere to be found. Damn! Can't go on without my poles...would have to wait for the Outfitter to open and buy new ones. The titanium ones run $130. Ouch! I recalled there were quite a few hikers at the bar last night. Most, if not all, were camping under the pavillion in the town park. I'll swing by there and see if anyone picked them up. Got there and there must have been a dozen hikers...all still sound asleep...no one even moving. There they were! propped up against a picnic table right up front with some other gear. I knew they were my poles because I had camoflauge duck take stored on them. I just took them and left.Went down to the truck stop for breakfast. Had the special eggs and pancakes bacon and sausage plate. The waitress was nice enough to let me fill my platypus with ice. It was 7:15 by the time I walked back through town and hit the Trail. The climb out of town is much better NOBO than SOBO. Not nearly as steep and better switchbacks. Passed a couple of nice springs (which I didn't need) on the way to Windsor Furnace Shelter. Stopped there for a moment to do the register. Did I mention how wet, muddy and sloppy the Trail was? I did a lot of climbing...over 1200' to The Pinnacle overlook. This is supposed to be the best view in PA. Not for me today...it was fogged in and you couldn't see more than 30 yards in any direction.Where the Trail wasn't a stream, it was covered with boulders and rocks. Don't know how but even my new boots got wet inside. BTW, they did fine. There wasn't much to breaking in the first pair so I wasn't too worried about these. I think they'll be okay.Stopped around noon and sat on a rock and had some Wheat Thins and a Snickers. Didn't linger too long...just wanted to get to the shelter at 15 miles. It's a good thing I like to hike because today really put it to the test. No views.Got to Eckville Shelter around 2. Could have gone on to the next shelter which is 7.4 miles but wanted to stay here. It is an enclosed bunk room with water from a spigot behind the caretaker's house. It has a solar shower and flush toilet. Sodas, snacks and ice cream are availabe on the honor system. I immediately had a cold sports drink. Then I had a Pepsi with my possum lunch kit and some peanuts. Later ate a couple of ice cream sandwiches and more soda. Dinner consisted of pepporoni, velvetta and crackers.It will be interesting to see how many show up here tonight...so far 7...Homer Run and a friend who just joined him on the Trail, Hazmat and his goirlfriend who is joining him for the weekend and 3 others.   Some old hiking friends have been here...Charlie on the 8th, Gambler on the 7th, Sue Bear on the 11th, Goldberry, Orb, Lucky, Bearly Bald, Tang, Wicked Wizard, Tapeworm, Cosmo & Stringbean on the 12th.Thought for the Day: I need a place like this on a day like this.