Date: 2018-05-19
From: Port Clinton, PA

To: Windsor Furnace Shelter
Miles today: 6.1
Weather: moderate rain

I went down for the Holiday Inn Express breakfast this morning and saw that the Royal Wedding had started. I confess to turning on the TV when I returned to my room. After just three weeks without it, TV seemed like the most amazing thing I had ever seen. Like most Episcopalians, I love good liturgy and all the pomp and ceremony that, even though we know means nothing, is so beautiful and inspiring. It didn¢t make me want to trade in my Tom for a Harry, but I wouldn¢t mind a spin in that carriage. It was raining when Mike pulled up at 8:35. We drove to West Reading and had a delightful brunch at a restaurant owned by his sister, Marty, called The Farmhouse Kitchen and furnished with things from her farmhouse when she had a horse farm. I had the Jalape±o Business, whole grain toast points covered in house-made jalape±o jelly and an assortment of seeds and nuts, along with a pot of the best Earl Grey Tea I¢ve ever had. I loved meeting Marty and seeing how her staff simultaneously loved her and respected her. Outside, West Reading celebrated Armed Forces Day, a holiday that was new to me, with a parade of bands, Gold Star Moms, and military units. I appreciate the heartfelt patriotism of the town, but I never react well to massed men in uniforms. I know I should feel all safe and protected and proud, but I must have been sick when that lesson was taught. We got to Port Clinton a little after noon, and I started hiking dressed in my full rain suit over running shorts and t-shirt. The trail starts by following the Little Schuykill River that was in flood from all the rain. Then the trail gains 1,000¢ in elevation over about 1.5 miles to regain the ridge. After two zero days, I never even broke a sweat on the climb even with my rain suit. There were a few rocky areas, enough to test my new shoes. I was no longer a ballet dancer but a mountain goat and felt sure-footed. Yah! I covered the 6.1 miles in about 2.5 hours and felt like I could easily have gone on. I decided to stop, however, for a few reasons. First, I felt lazy. Second, I didn¢t want to risk blisters in new shoes. Finally, stopping here sets me up for three 16-17 mile days that are just the right length for this stage in my hike. Thunderstorms are forecast for tonight but after a few morning showers tomorrow, mostly good weather is forecast for the next 10 days with just showers and thundershowers. Oma, a student at Allegheny College in Pennsylvania has come in. She is just out for tonight and intended to hike to the next shelter but got confused in following the trail. She will hammock. SOS, another flip flop thru-hiker has also arrived, after holing up in Port Clinton during the storms. He says the town was crowded with many doing the same. I wonder if my tramily is ahead of it behind me. SOS is a recent high school graduate. He and I are staying in the shelter. A section hiker Dean is tenting below. Windsor Forge Shelter was built in the 1970¢s and shows its age. There are many worse shelters and also many in better condition. It is built of whole logs and the chinking is in good condition. There are not many opportunities for mice to set up housekeeping. As much as I enjoyed my time with Mike and even watching parts of the Royal Wedding, I am very happy to be out here in the woods again. It¢s where I belong.