2017 Appalachian Hike

This is the pavilion we camped at last night. 

We got up this morning and hiked from Port Clinton to Hamburg Pennsylvania, about 1.1 miles off the trail. We went to McDonald’s first. I ate four egg and sausage on English muffin and drank three large coffees. 

I can’t remember if I’ve mentioned this before or not, but I’ve been shaving on the trail. Virtually all the men have beards. Except me. I don’t shave every day, but every other day  most of the time. Three days is the absolute longest. Normally I use the stream. Today I used McDonald’s bathroom. I’m sure my kids are proud. 

Then we went to Walmart to resupply. I didn’t need much. I am going to try to increase my calories. Here’s Maple Syrup on the floor at Walmart sorting things out. 

Then we went to Red Robin to eat lunch before heading back to the trail. 

Before going back to the trail I went back to Walmart to have the vision place see if they could fix my glasses. The lady working there was super friendly but she couldn’t do much to help me. She put a new screw in. So they are a little better but not much. 

Then I hitched a ride back to the trailhead. The guy that picked me up was old and he was smoking a cigarette with all the windows up. The rest of the guys had to walk back to the trail. 

While I was at the trailhead waiting for Engineer Timber and Maple Syrup a car pulled up and parked. A guy in his 40’s with a tie dye shirt, long hair and looking like he had a hard life got of the car. I asked him how he was doing and he just went off on me. How the f___ do you think I’m doing? It’s your generation that f_____ this country up. He went on this long rant about our government and how everything’s rigged against little people like him. He was right up in my face and just as this nut job was starting to scare me the rest of the group showed up. He walked away still mumbling about something. 

So we finally were back on trail a little after 1:00. We had 16 miles to cover to get to this shelter. A tall order if the trail got really tough. There were some tough sections but it was mostly easy. 

I met a guy named Kona today and hiked with him for about three hours. He’s 55 and also just retired. 

The shelter I am at is very different than most. A hiking club owns it and they actually have a volunteer caretaker living on the property. The shelter is actually an enclosed building with six bunk beds. There is also running water and a shed with a toilet and shower. 

I did take a shower. A VERY cold shower. It felt amazing to be clean and put clean clothes on. 

We actually have seven guys here so Timber is sleeping on the floor. He was the last one in. Also here is Engineer, Maple Syrup, Grits, Kona and another older guy I can’t remember the name of. 

This is a good place to be because it’s supposed to start raining again overnight. Some areas will get heavy rain. 

We want to do 24 miles tomorrow. We’ll see how it goes.