Date: 2003-06-17
From: Eagles Nest Shelter 

To: Port Clinton 
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: moderate rain

Eagle's Nest Shelter to   It was an eventful, uneventful day. The night was pretty cool, once again making me glad I still have my 20 degree bag. I never did zip it up all the way, but it was tucked around me. Maybe that wasn't due to the chill. Maybe that was due to the snoring. John of Not the Kennedys started snoring before dark, and Hotdog joined him shortly after that. I slept with earlugs in, and from what I heard in the morning, I missed a symphony of farts because of it. I only caught one around 5am. I'm sure bummed about that. Not!The walk in was okay. I, once again, had Town on my mind. The trail meandered, like yesterday, over rocks and more rocks, with intermittent non-rocky periods. Ho-hum. Town was coming closer. Not the Kennedys left first, followed by Healer (who was the one that came last night and camped), Dirty Bird and Fidodido, Hotdog and I, Sunpig and Paparazzi, then Texas Jack. Hotdog and I caught Dirty Bird and Fidodido about 5 or 6 miles out, as they were taking a break in the sun on a dirt road. We joined them, and Sunpig and Paparazzi joined us not long after. We decided we could not go on until one of us hit a 5" triangular sign on a tree with a thrown rock. It took a while, but Dirty Bird finally did it.Again, the trail was rocky, with rocks, and occasional dirt. I led, followed by Hotdog, Paparazzi and Sunpig, and I tried to keep up a good pace, since I knew Sunpig hiked pretty fast. I asked if he wanted to go in front but he didn't, saying "You're keeping up a pretty good pace." Right before Town, we started The Downhill. It looked rather steep on the profile maps. It was. It started out at some steep trail and some rock steps, and ended up being just plain steep trail. I had expected worse, from what I'd heard. I expected loose rocks, pointy rocks, plus the steep grade. It was just steep, but well-maintained. It was the steepest grade I think I've experienced, except Albert Mountain, and that was more of rock scrambling than trail hiking. But this was the longest lasting, steepest I think I'd seen. We all made it without any casualties, and walked into town no worse for wear.A gentleman out walking saw Hotdog and I looking at a map and information sheet posted on a pole and asked if we had any questions about the town or where anything was. He told us where the outfitter, Port Clinton Hotel and pavilion were and headed off on his walk. Some had to check mail at the Post Office, then we all headed to the outfitter, just because it was on the way to everything else.I got a cold soda and just browsed. Mmmm... soda! Then it was time for lunch. Hotdog and I headed to Port Clinton bar for lunch. They have a restaurant too, but ask that hikers clean up before going into the restaurant. There is no such rule for the bar, so we went into the bar. I had a giant Hiker's Burger, split a small (small is Big) order of cheese fries with Hotdog, and $1.00 Yuengling draft. Then another draft. Then Dirty Bird, Fidodido, Paparazzi, and Sunpig showed up, and Hotdog bought a beer for everyone. So did Sunpig. And Dirty Bird. The others had to meet a friend for Trail Magic, and Hotdog and I stayed. Texas Jack showed up, followed by thruhikers Sticks and Allright Burrito. I also met secton-hikers Michelle and Brian, who were staying at the hotel. I had another one or two (or more?) beers before it was time... to eat again. I ordered nachos at 5pm, and Hotdog helped me eat them.We had to get to the outfitter before they closed to get some food resupply, so we left the bar around 6pm. Not a bad day: hike 8.6 miles in less than 4 hours, then spend 6 hours at a bar. This hiking thing is hard!Hotdog and I are at a pavilion, where hikers can stay for free, thanks to St. John's Church. It is a huge, covered area, with two picnic tables, two couches, a few lawn chairs, garbage cans, about 20 gallons of water, and a bunch of books. I'm going to sleep on one of the couches tonight. There's a privy across the street, and tenting areas across the street, near a creek. A major road is on the other side of a very small hill, but if the noise gets too loud, I have earplugs. Allright Burrito is supposed to come here tonight, as are the others I hiked with today, although their Magic might lead them elsewhere.I have been enjoying their company these last few days, which is contrary to the way I felt the first night I met them. Each one is a cool person, and together they can throw a lot of negative jabs, but it's not been so bad lately. It just proves that I can't judge immediately and hold that judgement. I knew that, and am glad I've had more time to talk to them. Dirty Bird is 30, and there aren't too many hikers in their 30s out here. Together, we could think of about 4 others. It's nice to meet someone my age, especially a female. I feel the need for some female company if I've been stuck with the guys for a long time.I've been meaning to give a Halfway Report, but haven't gotten around to it. I'll start with some things now:When I started this hike, I didn't think I'd end up staying with anyone one person for a long time, but it's worked out that way with Hotdog. It's been pretty good. We hike at about the same pace, and can do the same miles each day usually. It's nice to know someone is on the same schedule, and that someone I know will be at the same camping or shelter as I will be. Like any relationship, I need a break occasionally, and I'm sure he does sometimes too. I get that way ocasionally anyway. Meeting other people along the trail usually gives me that break. Due to visitors coming, we won't be hiking together for at least a little while, but I'm sure we'll meet again before Katahdin.My gear has worked out fine. Subman told me I can have the Kelty pack he let me borrow for this trip, and it's done me good so far. I considered getting a smaller, lighter one, but figure this one has gotten me this far, why not just keep using it? I still have my 20 degree sleeping bag, but might switch to a 45 degree one in the next week when my mom comes up. I like wearing hiking shoes, and have noticed no major difference between them and the boots I started with. The rocks have been tearing up my shoes lately, so I will probably need to replace them before too long. Aqua Mira has worked out well, and if water sources become stagnant ponds, I will get my filter back. Otherwise, I'll use Aqua Mira the rest of the way.I'm using one-day contact lenses, and haven't had a problem with them, except occasionally I put it in backwards and walk south. No, that doesn't happen. The walking south I mean. I do put the contact in backwards sometimes, but it's not a major issue. I'm SO glad I'm not wearing glasses out here! They'd fog up and slide around my face and get dropped and scratched. I'm glad I wear contacts.I'm taking zyrtec for allergies, celebrex as anti-inflammatory since I cannot take aspirin or ibuprofen, a multi-vitamin, tylenol if I have other pain (minor headache, etc), birth control pills to eliminate my periods, and Maxalt if I get a migraine. I've only had to take Maxalt one time. The attempt at eliminating my period has failed, as I now have a continuous, but light period. I should've tried this well before the hike, but am dealing with it fine. Having my period on the trail isn't as bad as I thought it would be. I'd quit taking the pills, but am afraid I could get irregularly heavy periods, and I'd rather not have that.I miss friends and family more than I thought I would, but find it refreshing. I feel I took them for granted, and now I appreciate them more. They are awesome people!I thought I might change out here. I am a shy, reserved person, and thought I could be different out here, but I am the same person. I now know that, and won't try to change it. It's how I was meant to be. I have learned a lot about myself, good, bad and indifferent, and am thankful I am open to that kind of learning. I am more accepting of who I am. There are still some changes I'd like to make, but the more I learn about myself the easier it will become.I realize now that I would like to share my life experiences with a special someone. It's been great having Hotdog around to share this hike with, but I would like to revisit some of the best places with "the one", when I find "the one". Until then, I'd like to share this with my best friends and my family, as they are closest to me. I just want to share.I thought the hiking would be hard at first, and get easier as my body gets used to the physical pounding. My muscles have gotten stronger, but my joints are taking a pounding. My feet hurt every morning and my ankles are stiff. I can't squat without my knees complaining. Despite those issues, when I tie my shoes, it's time to hike, and things loosen up. I still get blisters, even if I haven't changed shoe or sock combinations. The balls of my feet swell up at night, and sometimes my toes are a little bit numb.I never realized how much I'd enjoy the social part of this adventure. I just love meeting, and talking to new people. I thought this trip would be a time for me to be introspective, which it has been, but I greatly underestimated how much other people along the trail and in trail towns mean to me. They've been wonderful, and while I don't like that I won't see most of them again, I am thankful I got to meet them.My perspective on things has changed. I now think running water, especially hot water, is awesome! Shampoo, a Godsend. A roof on a rainy day is like Heaven, and a dry place is even better. I tented behind a grocery store and thought it was the greatest place to tent. A cold soda brightens my day. I could do without TV, but still like to keep up on my sports teams. I miss music, MY music. I realize I don't need a lot of money to live and to be happy. I just need to be doing what I want to do. Yes, I will have to work, but I won't need to make a certain amount. I just need to do something that I like to do.I'm sure there's a lot more. I think about it while hiking and forget by the time I'm journaling, but it will all come out eventually.I'm looking forward to seeing family in a day or two. I've been counting the days down, and soon they will be here. I don't like to spend much time away from the trail, as it calls me back after a couple of days of "civilization", but I am happy to visit with friends or family anytime. That way, I get to share.