Date: 2015-05-26
From: Eagles Nest Shelter

To: Furnace Creek Trail
Miles today: 20.2

I was quite tired last evening so I decided to sleep in as long as I wanted to this morning. After an early morning privy visit, I crawled back into my tent and snoozed a bit longer. When I decided to start packing up it was 8:00. I was surprised to see that everyone in and around the shelter had already left. This group must be the kind of people who start early, or they had their sights set on getting to town. I packed up my gear, then had a leisurely breakfast by myself at the shelter picnic table as I finished my journal and uploaded it.I took my time this morning when I hit the trail, because my feet were hurting a bit more than usual and my one toe felt as if it was starting to form a blister. Maybe these Pennsylvania rocks are worse than I thought. I got down to the bottom of the mountain and crossed the Schuylkill River Trail and crossed a number of train tracks not far from a railroad yard. It looked interesting, so I left Mr. Maroon on the trail and walked to the buildings and took a few photos. Finally I moved on and walked right into the little town of Port Clinton. There was a Port Clinton Hotel that looked a bit like the Doyle from the outside so I went inside to the bar in search of food for a late lunch. The Flying Scotsman was sitting at the bar, and he waved me over and asked if he could by be a beer. I gladly accepted and sat down and started talking with him. He said he is staying the night and wondered if I am as well. I replied that I'm not, but a shower would feel good. The lady behind the bar heard me and said I can just get a shower for $5.00. I jumped at the offer, and she got me a towel and soap and directed me to the upstairs shower. I love these old Hotel buildings! The steps creaked as I went upstairs, the solid wood doors had ancient knobs and latches, the doors to the rooms had brass numbers on the doors, and the electrical fixtures looked like antiques. It was neat. After my shower I went back to the bar and ordered an open face hot turkey sandwich with fries. The order of fries was huge and I didn't finish all of them. Finally I left and went next door to check out The Peanut Shop.The Peanut Shop was basically an old time peanut and candy store. I bought a few chocolate covered pretzels and sat on the bench under the porch in front of the shop. The front porch was right beside route 61, so I sat there and watched the traffic go by as I ate a pretzel. I noticed an old lady in the next house trying to discreetly watch me from inside her side window as I sat there with Mr.Maroon by my side. When she just kept looking at me as if I'm some kind of zoo animal, I decided to give her something to look at. I was all alone on the porch, so I started picking at my beard. I made a big show of digging in with my fingers as if I was picking out fleas or ticks, then I would check them out and wipe them on my pant legs. After doing that for a few minutes, I cast a quick sideways glance her way and saw that I had her undivided attention. I decided that this was the time to check out my toes. I took my shoes and socks off and smelled my clean socks and wrinkled up my nose for effect, then I took my finger and started acting as if I'm cleaning out the dirt from between my toes. Several of my toes were hurting a bit, so I slowly and deliberately tore off little strips of duct tape from my water bottle and wrapped my toes. I put my shoes and socks back on and put on a performance as I tested out to see if it still hurt as I walked. Then I shouldered my pack and limped down the sidewalk as she stood off to the side of her window and just gazed in amazement as I walk off. I would love to hear the story she tells to her cronies at the next bridge game, about the filthy hiker trash she witnessed on the front porch of The Peanut Shop.I climbed up to Pulpit Rock and on up past the Pinnacle before setting up my tent along the trail and calling it a day.