Date: 2009-06-24
From: Eagle's Nest Shelter

To: Port Clinton, PA
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: few clouds

I heard Flyby and Joker talking in the shelter last night planning on setting an alarm for 6am. Sounded good to me....get into town with plenty of time to do what I needed to do. So I get up at 6 am and am on the Trail by 7:15. My feet are OK but definitely reminded me that we had walked a record distance yesterday. Not looking forward to doing any distance over 20 any time soon!About 3 hours into the walk I run into Zipper at Auburn Overlook. She asks if I have a map of Port Clinton. Yep. Note to future thru-hikers: The Thru-Hiker's Handbook has maps of some towns that the Thru-Hikers Companion does not, and Vice-Versa. I had both and ripped out the maps from each and carry both. I have not compared these two to the Appalachian Pages.....would be worth a look to see what maps it has in it. The maps are a handy resource if going into a specific town. Zipper was planning on just hiking in to town, getting what she needed, and hiking back out. In this scenario, a map is essential so that you are as efficient as possible (least amount of time and walking in town as possible).The last mile going into town was crazy; straight down a hill!! Wow. I kept consoling myself by telling myself "at least you're not a southbounder having to climb this thing out of Port Clinton!"As I'm hiking into Port Clinton, I see Mr Buffalo Man and Goof hiking out of town on the A.T.!! I yelled as loud as I could several times, but they couldn't hear me....too far away. (Editor's note: while I'm writing this down it occurs to me that I should have blown one of the 2 Bear Whistles I was carrying. Woops.....now I know) I thought about dropping my pack and running, but my feet said "you want to do what??" And I thought best not to do that!I go to the local Outfitters in Port Clinton.......very limited. But Cabelo's is a short shuttle ride away. I did pick up my maildrop at the outfiiters. And the outfitters offers shuttle rides to the Interstate Exchange area for $10 each way.So I shuttle over to the Microtel Inn and immediately hit the showers!! Oh yeah!! I put laundry in the machine....and order a pizza! Then I turn on the cell phone. There are messages from Newt and Miss Scarlett .... none from Goof or Mr Buffalo Man. Anyhow, it turns out that "The Group" was staying that night at the Microtel also. It was very cool, and a surprise to have caught them. So I hung out with them all day. We'll hike out tomorrow together!The group took an extra day here in Port Clinton (the only way I caught up so fast) because Sunbeam got bit by a tick and has the classic "bullseye" tick bite mark (rash). She saw a doctor and is on antibiotics and feeling better already. They all plan on hiking out tomorrow.Nice relaxing afternoon, chillin, watching TV, eating ice cream......no walking!!Darn flu! Peanut, AT '08, my hiking mentor, was out on the Trail but I missed her. I really think that I would have been right on time for seeing here if I hadn't been set back by the flu! I'm so disappointed. Sorry Peanut! I really wanted to meet you in person. I have been hiking with a section hiker named Steps who had hiked with you and Wrongway last year for a while! Small World!Nice short hike today.....good seeing the group......nice relaxing time in a comfy bed, all clean, re-supplied, and ready to go for tomorrow!