Date: 2010-06-15
From: Hertlein Campsite ÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ Mile 1,189.9

To: Port Clinton, PA ÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ Town Pavilion
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: broken clouds

Day 79.Before I fell asleep, it looked as if 1, maybe 2, couples came in later. One of them set up their tents and stayed in the campsite. It was getting dark, actually more like dusk, and I could hear them talking about staying for the chili meal at the 501 shelter. It seemed all went well, and there was a lot to eat. I was already comfy, all zipped in and called it a day.I only woke up a few times throughout the night. A solid 9 well needed hours of sleep. Alarm went off at my new set time of 6:00am. Since I was already awake, it was easy to actually start the getting out process by 6:08. With it being a short day, my plan is to leave at/by 7:00, do a shorter 18 mile day, get into Port Clinton, get a room at the hotel, eat, shower, laundry, etc. In other words, the town stop routine.Once I was all packed up, I crossed the tiny stream that was between my tent site and the main section. The couple that arrived late was already packed up and at the table preparing breakfast. As I got closer, I saw it was Tic Toc and Cookie. I did figure it right and they did stop here. After talking with them for a bit, it ends up they hitched a ride from about 4 miles past the shelter to a KOA site. They got a basic, small cabin, with A/C but no other amenities for $70. A far cry from what we are used to at this point. They also indicated that they stayed for the chili dinner and it was great. I was very glad to talk to them and catch up on their hike. I hit the trail at 7:20, but it was well worth talking to them. They are going to stay at the Town Pavilion in town. The pavilion is actually owned by a local church that allows thru hikers to stay there at no cost.I said goodbye and told them I would see them in town. I did notice that I have several small bites on my hand and on the back of one of my legs. I thought I heard a buzzing before I went to sleep, but was sure it was outside the screen. I also am careful with the small door to the tarp and I always do a bug check and thought all was clear. Oh well. I will be more careful.The weather was better today. No rain last night after all, but the humidity still seems to be down. The temps were a bit cooler, maybe 75-80, so in the shade of the trees, it was not a bad hiking day. The rocks came and went and so far have not lived up to the hype of the PA rocks. But I do know the real rocks are still ahead of us.I arrived in town around 2:30. A bit later than expected, but I had a few stops along the way. One was when there was a sign indicating that there was trail magic at the spring. To me, this meant soda staying cool in the water. At 200 yards, it was worth a trip and even if it did not pan out like the cooler earlier, I would down my water and get another bottle. Sure enough, scoreage!! I drank my water and put 2 cans of Mountain Dew in it. Then I took 1 can of Dr. Pepper and drank it going back to the trail. There was easily 50-60 more cans there, so someone made a nice effort to get it all there. And name-brands to boot. Nice. Another delay was a missed turn on a road crossing that ended up not being a crossing at all. I went left for about 1/2 mile, no trail, no blazes. I went back, looking very closely at the other side and I did not miss any opening. Went the other way 1/3 mile and nothing that way. On the way back to the opening I came out of, I ran into a day hiker. He told me that you come out, go 50 feet and back in on the same side you left on. Well, this was a first and sure enough, it was there. I just wasn¢t looking on that side of the road so soon after leaving the woods. Hmmm.The third delay is that after you come down at a very steep path, you come out at the Port Clinton Railway Station. It is some kind of old time rail ride with the old dinner type cars. Of course I needed to take pictures.Once in town, it looked like everything was in a block or two. I changed my plan a bit on the trail. With Tic Toc and Cookie staying at the pavilion, I thought I would check it out. It was actually about 1/3 of a mile. A very large, covered structure. I decided to stay here. I walked another 14 mile to get to the 3C Restaurant. As I got there, it was 2:45 and they close at 3:00 so the doors were already locked. Oh well. There is always the hotel.Once I got to the hotel, I went to the bar section. The section hiker I ran into earlier was there eating. He also got a room. I had a bacon Swiss burger and a basket of chicken fries, and a beer. When I was done and paying, Cookie came in. She came in to get a room. Tic Toc had hurt his back and was still on his way. I started back for him to help with his pack. It was only about 12 mile until I ran into him. I walked with him to the hotel. So it ends up our night plans switched. I am at the pavilion and they are at the hotel. I went back to the pavilion.In a bit, Cookie and Tic Toc came down to the pavilion. After they saw it, I think they almost wished they came here. It was nice. And free. We talked awhile. It ends up they will be hiking for 2 more days, 26 miles total, and then their daughter is going to pick them up for a few days. Lola and Sunrise came by car with groceries. Soon another car drove up with 3 more section hikers. Around 7:00, the 3 of us headed to the hotel for another meal. They had dessert, but I had manicotti, baked potato, a drink, a beer, and bread. It was a nice visit and good food. Once done, I headed back.Once there, it was clear that something was going on with the section hikers. All I knew was that it was getting dark and was time for bed. As darkness fell, so did I. With a major road right above us, it was rather noisy all night. But you still can¢t beat the price. A good day. A good place to sleep. Good food. Breakfast in the morning. Nice. Plan is to get up at 5:30, have breakfast at 6:00 or so and on the trail at 7:00-7:30. The man has a plan.