Date: 2003-06-18
From: Port Clinton 

To: Eckville Shelter 
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, it had to happen. The rain returned last night, and it rained most of the night, but by morning, only fog and drizzle were left. I didn't sleep too well on the couch, at least not as well as I'd hoped. Lately, I've been getting up two or three times a night to pee. I don't go that many times during the day, while hiking, but at night, it's a constant thing it seems. Maybe my body knows to conserve water while I'm being active, and once I'm done, it makes up for it. Also, when I have to go, I have to go RIGHT NOW. Even while hiking, if I have to go pee, I'm okay until I stop hiking, but then, it's an immediate call. I've had little accidents more than once, but there's not much I can do about it.Hotdog and I went to 3-C's for breakfast. I'm ashamed to say, Hotdog ate more than I did. It was bound to happen, I suppose, but I could not finish my Big Big Sampler of 2 pancakes, 2 eggs, bacon, sausage, ham, toast, and potatos. I must've been full from lunch and dinner at Port Clinton Hotel yesterday. There has to be some explanation!We hit the trail around 9:40. It wasn't raining, but it was very cloudy and foggy. Days like today make for good hiking, but not so great for getting good views. There were two viewpoints today: Pulpit Rock; and The Pinnacle. At Pulpit Rock, there was no view at all. Too foggy. At The Pinnacle, I could see some of the farms below through the fog, but wish I'd been there yesterday, when I could see for miles. That's just the way it goes.The trail was in pretty good shape considering it just rained. And the rocks weren't too bad, or the bad places didn't last too long. I had thought about taking a zero day today in Port Clinton so it would be easier for my mom and sis to find me, and the trail today would've been a good section for my sister to hike with me. Hopefully, the section coming up will provide some good views, or something cool for her to see.Hotdog and I got to Eckville Shelter before 5pm, and I called to see when family would arrive. They said they'd pick me up there, around 8:30 or 9pm, and my fellow hikers had a request--20 McDonalds Cheeseburgers, since Wednesday is 39-cent cheeseburger night. Unfortunately, they didn't come across a McDs on the way, and no one got cheeseburgers. Bummer. By the time they arrived, it was nearly 10pm, and most were near sleep in the shelter. In the shelter were Sunpig, Dirty Bird, Paparazzi, Fidodido, Hotdog, Michelle and Brian, and two others tenting nearby.I'm going to miss being around these hikers, as I've been around them for several days now, and enjoy it. I hope we'll meet again on the trail, but I doubt I'll catch them. Who knows though... it could happen. It's so enjoyable to be around the same people for a while, and I hate to leave them, but that's the way it goes. I'm sure, if I don't meet with them, I'll meet up with another hiker or group anyway. It's just strange to be around some people, then take a day off and possibly never see them again.It is great to see family, but we didn't have much time to chat yet, since they arrived so late. I got a good, hot shower at the hotel, and will do laundry in the morning. I might, instead of a day off tomorrow, start hiking with my sister in the afternoon, but will decide in the morning. Nephews Sam and Tristan are as cute as ever, and I hope to spend some time with them as well.It's difficult being around those from the "real world" sometimes. I only want the basics: clean body, clean clothes, food, and shelter. I get overwhelmed by all of the other decisions that need to be made. I'm going to sleep, and hopefully wake up with a plan for tomorrow and the next few days.