The hike into Port Clinton was exciting. I've heard so many great things about the town from Tricks and was ecstatic to see the pavilion that was donated by a church. The hike into town wasn't too bad until we got to the "downhill thrill”. This is a very steep incline into town that had my legs shaking and my heart praying for a safe arrival. When I got towards the end of the decline I heard a faint "Bubbles" "Bubbles" and then I saw tricks! I was so happy I had to make sure I didn't fall. I got to his car and wanted to rip him out and hug him, but he had a sore back so I sort of refrained (I didn't hug him that hard). He had an extra Arby's Roast Beef and Cheddar sandwich that he offered to me. How did this man, whom I just met in Duncannon, know that this is my favorite sandwich? We sat at a picnic table while I devoured it. I was just so happy to see him. He is a true trail angel. He has helped us out a lot, but he can keep all his Gatorades, food, and rides. I just want to hang with the guy!! He is so great to be around. His aura pulls you in.
Unfortunately, I found out that his good buddy had passed away, RIP Baltimore Jack. You will be missed by many, many people.
We got to the hotel to shower, eat, and do laundry. That place must HATE hikers. All of the employees made me feel like trash. And not hiker trash, but garbage. The bartender did eventually warm up to me, but I had to work for those smiles. The shower was 9 dollars?!?!? And it was a rough shower. It was tiny, looked dirty, and the water went from scalding hot to icy cold. I thought maybe the people who work there were just standing and flushing the toilet over and over again as a cruel joke to the hikers they obviously hate. If I went to Port Clinton again I wouldn't go to that hotel. Not for how crappy they made me feel. I know I'm stinky, but I'm working my butt off hiking and a smile was all I needed.
We left and went to the firehouse. The bartender told us about it. I think more to get us to leave than to help save a few bucks (she told us it was much cheaper). The firehouse is a private club. The cool thing is that if hikers ring the doorbell they will let us in! A club member has to sign you in as a guest. All of them seemed willing to invite us in. They played raunchy music and laughed loudly. I felt right at home in this place.
Karma and Mountain Man met us for a drink and we laughed and enjoyed our time together. We left to go to the pavilion and Tricks and Remedy (a 2015 at thru-hiker) left to go get pizza. Those guys rock. We spent the night laughing and sitting by the fire. Tricks was doing all sorts of bird calls and I was LOVING it. It was another one of those nights where I wanted it to last forever, but naturally I got tired and had to throw in the towel and go to bed. While we all set up shop for sleep, Remedy pulled out 3 sheep skins to sleep on for the night. We had to be careful where we put our tents because there were 2 swallows nests in the pavilion. I’m excited to see them in action tomorrow a.m.
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| I love the spring flowers!! |
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| A little Port Clinton History |
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| I thought this was cool! |
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| Welcome to Port Clinton |
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| The member at the Firehouse who signed us in! |
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