Day 66 - Wednesday, August 17

Linda

We really moved out fast this morning once we got up. Broke camp in 35 minutes again and were on our way down the rocks at 7:15. Missed the view off the Pinnacle, due to the lack of visibility. However, by now we were used to having spectacular sights described in the guidebook or by other hikers, only to find the whole area socked in with fog or rain at the time we happen to come by. On the other hand, we've had some wonderful serendipitous surprises when we weren't expecting them, so we are never too disappointed. We continued on the rest of the 3.3 miles to Windsor Furnace Shelter and stopped for water. Put on our rain gear when it started to sprinkle, and went on up out of the gap. The rain gradually got harder as we went along and by the time we got to the top and started back down the other side, it was pouring. We slogged into Port Clinton at 10:45 and put our packs on the front porch of the hotel. Across the street was the Port Clinton Peanut Shop, a good old fashioned Pennsylvania Dutch candy store - a great place to indulge our childish whims. We drooled over all the delectable home-made goodies and couldn't decide, so we bought several selections and, of course, root beer. Took our treasures back over to the hotel and munched for a while before going on in the rain. Ronald's stomach had been bothering him, so the drink helped out a little. Not sure what the candy did for him - it was more a psychological boost than anything else.

The mountain we climbed out of town was steep and rocky. The trail criss-crossed a gravel state gameland road several times, so for a while we just stayed on the road to keep off the rocks. By the time we got to Neys Shelter in 7.1 miles, it had stopped raining. We walked in and there sat Rand. He had gotten discouraged with the rocks and hitched around 25 miles to Port Clinton. He doesn't seem to be enjoying himself very much. He's come so far, I hope he doesn't get so discouraged he decides to quit. As the spring was dry, we didn't cook a meal like we had planned, but figured there would be water ahead. Rand was staying put for the night, so we gave him what water we had before going on at 3:40.

The next 6.5 miles was all on another gameland road, which was so straight it seemed like we could see for miles. It was quick, if monotonous walking. The only feature of note was a wild turkey propagation area. We stopped once to take some pictures and then at a spring for water. Got to Highway 183 at 6:00 and decided to push on to the next campsite with water in 3.5 miles. It started out nice and easy, but gradually got rockier. We were really dragging our tails by the time we got to the campsite, but it was well worth the extra miles, because it was right next to a lovely flowing brook. We appreciated it all the more since running water was such a rarity these days. We set up the tent and cooked dinner in the doorway from the sleeping bags. We were tired, but content with our 25.5 mile day.

Ron

The rain never materialize last night. However, the noisy bugs kept me awake till quite late. When morning arrived I was still tired. We ate breakfast, packed and were off by 7:15. The trip down to Windsor Furnace Gap was rocky and crossed a road several times. We would have been better off staying on the road. At the Windsor Furnace Shelter we refilled our water bottles and headed off to Port Clinton.

Due to the combination of lack of sleep, hot humid rain, upset stomach, damn horse files and rocks, I was not feeling well. In the North we had black files and mosquitoes. Here we have horse files. They are big, ugly and not too fast. They like to fly by behind you and take bites out of you just behind the knees. It fairly painful but mostly annoying. I can get some revenge because they are easy to kill. Unfortunately as soon as one is gone another take its place. Sometimes we keep up a fast pace just to stay ahead of them. There are times when I could have cried out of shear frustration. I could always were long pants, but I haven't hiked in long pants since Maine.

When we made it into Port Clinton. I wasn't in the best of shape. There was a candy shop in town and we bought several bags. We ate most of it outside on the sidewalk under the porch. It was raining pretty hard when we left town. The climb up the hill out of town was steep, but not rocky. On top of the ridge we avoided the flies and rocky trail by staying on the Game Commission road. We slogged into Neys Shelter soaking wet around 2:30. Rand was at the lean-to when we arrived. It was a surprise since we had not expected to see him again. He said he was tired of the rocks and hitched the last 25 mile section.

We rang the water out our socks, finished off the candy and ate lunch while waiting for the sun. It finally appeared and we packed up and headed out for six miles of straight road. At the end of the road we decided to push on another three and a half miles to a good campsite. We made good time despite the number the rocks were doing on our feet. When we arrived around 7:00, we were really beat. Exhausted we put up the tent and ate supper.

(25.5 Miles - 965.7 Total)