Date: 2010-04-28
From: Eagles Nest Shelter

To: Windsor Furnace Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: broken clouds

Day 5 Wed Apr 28thIt was C-O-L-D last night!(i'd gujess near freezing) & the wind howled all night...but, this morning...I'm up @ 7:30am & eating my PopTarts (breakfast of Champions or @ least hikers..hehehehehe ;0) Talked with "Scout & Boo" as i was drinking my freeze-dried, instant Cafe Bustelo...DOUBLE STRENGTH...ahhhhhhThey're heading into Port Clinton,PA for the night...so, i might not see them again on this hike...Packed my backpack & i'm outta Eagles Nest Shelter by 8am.I need to get to the Post Office by 12noon but, it doesnt look like thats gonna happen...but, the P.O. will open back up @ 2pm. (2 hour lunch break)...I water up on the way back to the trail...& back to the White Blazes....let's HIKE!!!Just a few miles of rocks...& I pass a trail into Shartlesville,PA (an old trail)& then an old mtn road...i hike on...Climbing up 1500' elevation in a few miles...I'm seeing lots of views today...Great views!We have plenty of Sunshine today...but, again its very windy...its probably in the upper 50s...I hike by Phillips Canyon Spring before descending into Port Clinton,PA.And i do mean DESCEND with a capital "D"...(you guys dont beleive in switchbacks up here, huh???)Just straight UP to the top of the ridge or mountain & then peak & then straight DOWN the otherside!...ROCKS are NO EXTRA CHARGE!About those famed "PA ROCKS"...I guess i could complain about them everyday...but, it wouldnt make them go away...(darn it!)...they are such a nuisance...& they slow my pace, greatly!I hike down into Port Clinton...& find the Post Office...darn...missed them by 10 minutes....okay...i can grab a bite to eat...maybe a shower (if available)its almost 12:10pm...I find the Port Clinton Hotel & get a shower...weeeeeeeeeee ;0)Afterwards...into the Hotel grill for lunch...i order a "HIKER BURGER"...a 1 lb beef patty with everything on it....including cheeze & mushrooms...& a basket of fries...(i almost finished them ALL!)...& ate a slice of Cherry Cheeze cake for dessert...& washed it all down with 3 LARGE Diet Cokes!i talked to a few of the "local folk" during lunch abt DIGITAL TV...As i wuz finishing up..."Scout & Boo" (Texas) walk in...they decide to eat here & get a room for the night...nice people.2pm I head to the Post Office...picked up my "Jaybird" food drop box (7 more days of food & goodies)stuff all the food into my food sack...& now my backpack is sufficiently STUFFED!...(like the hiker toting it!)3:30pm...heading outta town..heading NOBO to the next shelter...i cross under Hwy PA-61...& then Up, up, up...i climb from 400ft elevation in Port Clinton...up to 1200 ft elevation in a matter of 2 miles....OUCH!!!I take lots of photos of nature today (wildflowers, mushrooms, other fungi, odd-shaped trees, etc)I hike on...passing Pocohantas Spring & several others....then a few more miles pass...before i hike into Windsor Furnace Park...I thought i saw a BEAR as i was walking into the park (i hike without my glasses)...i glanced up quickly & caught site of a large black furry object galloping away, slowly to the North...a BEAR!....then abt 5 secs later...a man followed behind hollering for his dog...that apparently got loose from his leash...7pm The shelter was the last thing in the Windsor Furnace Park...& I was glad to see it...i arrived as the Sun was setting...I unpack...& am the only hiker here tonight...i lay out my bed (sleep pad=ThermaRest Z-lite) my sleeping bag (Campmor 20 degree Down mummy style sleeping bag)...write in my journal...kinda too tired to eat...but make my self eat a TUNA pouch...(gotta kleep the strength up)& the last of my Birthday cashews.Sip a little bit of water & made a cell-phone call home...(surprised i got outta this gap)Supposed to be near freezing temps again tonight...i'm bundling up in my warm sleeping bag...Goodnight!                           14.7 miles today!