Date: 2003-06-12
From: Eagles Nest Shelter

To: Port Clinton PA (Port Clinton Hotel)
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: moderate rain

Day 91 Avg Mls/Day 13.2Weather: Warm and humid, high temp in upper 80's, hazy sunshine. First real summer day.Today's Nature: Just chipmunks scampering all over the Trail.Boy was I glad I stayed in the shelter last night. Big thunder right overhead about had me jumping out of the bag! The downpour was enough to flood the ground in front of the shelter. One thing for sure. this year on the Trail will be remembered for the rain.Toe Boe and I got up before 6. Toe Boe cooks breakfast...I gave that up a long time ago. I've almost given ip cooking altogether. Cold food isn't so bad in the summer.I was on the Trail at 6:30. I'd say it was about 40% rocks...rocks of all sizes with some stretches of boulders where my feet never touched the ground. Took me 3.5 hours to go 8 and a half miles into Port Clinton. The Bed & Breakfast was closed and didn't open until 5 p.m. The hotel likewise but opened at 11 a.m. I downed a couple of 20 oz cherry cokes out of the machine and walked down to visit the outfitter. A nice young man, Vernon, started the business 3 years ago and has a fairly good inventory for a small town supplier. There I ran into Bob, Bob & Mike who were leaving for the Trail. They're planning some zeros so I may catch them down the Trail one day. Tang was there too. We chatted awhile and visited the outfiter where she did her pocketmail.Came back to the hotel...they said a room wouldn't be ready for at least an hour. So, I went to the post office, got my boxes and returned to the bench in front of the hotel to sort through things. The first thing was my new Asolo boots. They looked too small at first and I was much relieved when they fit just fine. Now, I have to worry about breaking them in on the Trail. I only wore my first pair 9 miles before taking off in them from Springer.I got the funniest/neatest "trail majic" box from an old work associate and his wife. They just couldn't leave it alone...they sent me a tube of "#$%&-TICK REPELLENT"...the label reads, "For Use on Small Area". Then there was "Mississippi's Finest Lunch To Go - Premium Chunked Possum in Water. 3 oz. Fresh Road-Kill Possum (guaranted less than 24 hours on the road. How did they read my mind. This is just right as there is no cooking required. I have to mention the box of Zours and a phone calling card. Thanks Gretch and Mike...you guys are too much!Also opened my drop box from Julia. She sent everything I had asked for and more. Only trouble is I just can't pack it all. Since I was sending my old boots back I sent half the food supply also. She did send a chip for the camera so I can take some more pioctures. Don't know when they'll get posted...maybe not till after the hike. Did my laundry in the basement. This is another old hotel with a community bathroom. However, it's nothing like the Doyle. The room is clean, the bed firm and has ac and cable tv. No phones in the room though.I thought the Pub in Duncannon had the best hamburger on the Trail until I had one here in the hotel bar. They also have a "small fries" that are bigger than any I've ever seen...mounded on a large oval plate...way too much!Truck showed up in the bar but is hiking on as they're isn't any more rooms. Also, talked to Noll who I met once a ways back. Another hiker, Wolfhound, just finished his hike and is getting off here.Well, I barely got everything done and my return box to the post ofice before it closed at 5. Going to enjoy the ac and call home tonight. Tomorrow, planning on going 17 miles to Bake Oven Knob Shelter which has a caretaker with snacks.Thought for the Day: How come I'm so excited about my new boots?