Date: 2018-05-24
From: Campsite at mile 1213.8

To: Windsor Furnace shelter
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: clear sky

I slept very well last night and woke with the birdsong around 5:30. I stayed in my tent dozing until 6. Then I crawled out and went across the trail to pee and grab my bear bag. Sandals and T-Bird were already up. Within a few minutes Thumper and River were also up. Today was one of those days that you wish you could do over, and do better. At this campsite ( as is will all the trail side sites) there's no picnic table, privy, etc. So I sat on an unstable rock in the fire pit facing out and very uncomfortable making my breakfast. Oatmeal. When I poured the water into the Ziploc bag I did so with the lid on the pot which has a little pouring spout. The lid slipped off and boiling water spilled on me causing blisters on my hand. I grabbed the fuel canister because they get cold when you use them and held it on there but it was little help. I at my breakfast and packed up. I was on trail by 7:45 ready for 9.7 to Windsor Furnace shelter. The trail today goes thru the town of Port Clinton. So the plan was to stop there and have lunch, go to the barber shop and Thumper would get her new water bladder that was waiting at the post office which oddly didn't open until 12:30.The first 3 miles were a nice ridge walk. The trail was a bit muddy in spots but it was a decent morning. Then the descent into Port Clinton began and the 1st half mile was a steady grade down. The last half mile was a knee crushing one! I'm pretty sure at one point I saw a runaway truck lane except is was for hikers! We took pictures and video, River was right behind me, but it doesn't do it justice. T-bird and Thumper were somewhere ahead of us. When we finally reached the bottom we crossed multiple train tracks and it's a good thing Thumper had texted with a heads up. Until you get across some of the tracks you can see the white blaze, so you're left wondering for a bit. I must say I'm impressed with the friendliness of this cute town. Immediately people were saying hello and one woman in her yard working asked us if we needed water. A man driving past stopped and asked if we were going to the pavilion and if we wanted a ride. The town allows hikers to stay at the pavilion for free. We were headed to the barber shop however, so River could get a haircut and we could get our passports stamped.  The barber shop is very hiker friendly and has a hiker lounge area with coffee and pastries, a power strip for phone charging and rocking chairs. There's a guest log as well. Frank is the owner and explained that we just missed the band. We had a good time there and saw the man who offered us a ride and another hiker. River got a haircut and the AT symbol shaved into the side. We charged our phones and to River enjoyed some lemon pound cake. I was jealous. We said our goodbyes and headed out to find Thumper coming in to get us. She'd been to 3C's restaurant for an omelet which a kind 85 yr old man paid for and then gave her a ride back to the barber shop. He'd been selling poppies for veterans and she made a donation. The picture of the 2 of them is adorable. It'll be a great memory. We all walked over to the Port Clinton hotel and restaurant together. T-bird and the 60's siblings had gone there for lunch and someone was going to give them a ride to Walmart. They were on the porch waiting when we arrived. River and I had a pound of peel and eat shrimp and fries each, and a beer. A summer shandy for me in honor of my hubby! Thumper enjoyed the lemon marscapone cake. We had great conversation with 2 women at the next table who had just done an overnight very nice ladies who aspire to thruhike the AT  As were eating Steady came in. She's so bubbly and good natured. She slapped her hand on the table laughing and said (that descent was legit!) We all laughed and she plopped into a chair at our table. I love her personality. She's lots of fun. We visited and Steady ordered the shrimp too. We left her to eat it after getting and update on Rx. He's in pain with his shin. I'm not sure what will happen. They're staying at the pavilion tonight. T-bird was just getting back from Walmart when we left the restaurant and we met on the porch. We all packed up and headed out. It was about a 6 mile hike to the shelter and we knew we were facing a heck of a climb. It was 2pm and about 85°. A warm one. Too warm. The climb in the heat was brutal. It just sucked the energy right out of me and for a good while we were exposed to full sun on the rocky ledges of it. I had to stop several times and rest. My feet hurt so badly and I felt like my pack was 50lbs. I had a heavy food bag and water.It was a tough afternoon mentally and physically. I felt like this climb really broke me. I had terrible foot pain and toe cramps and I was upset with myself. I should have gone to the Post office and sent home a few things to reduce my pack weight. My leggings and my wool base layer. I could shave a pound or more. By the time we got to the shelter it was after 6 pm. Late for me. I was in pain, frustrated and tired. I pitched my tent up close to the shelter because it was the only dry spot and I layed in it for a few to rest. When I felt like I could stand and walk again I put on my sandals and walked down the muddy path toward the brook with my filter, bladder and bottles. I sat on a log, took my sandals off and put my feet in the water. And I cried. The first time I have cried like that on trail. I felt beaten. I saw River coming down the trail and pulled myself together as best I could but I was still on the edge. I'm sure River could tell and she asked me how I was and I cried again. I told her that today sucked and if there were a bus out there picking people up I'd be on it. After thinking about that I know it's not true. I wouldn't have quit, but I would have stopped to think about what it would feel like. After a few minutes of conversation with River and a hug I felt better. I returned to the shelter and made dinner, brushed and hung my food bag. Tonight I need sleep and tomorrow will be a new day. Bring it on!