Appalachian Trail Day 87

Day 87, 05-25-01

501 Shelter – Port Clinton

23.7 miles, AT – 1197.4 400 feet

6:30 AM 3:00 PM

I woke up around two when Vice came in from Answering Mother Natures call. Vice can be noisy. He wasn’t this time but I woke up anyway.

We all got up early for the big 23.7 mile day. Why I don’t know, I was done by 3 PM/ My feet were killing and still do! Rocks, lots of them. The only good thing is theres only 4 days left.

I’m on my 87^th day, with 75 left. It makes me sad to think I’ll be done soon. I know 75 days is a long time but days seem to fly by out here. I Mean I did 15.7 miles in five hours over nasty rocks. It went by in no time. I’ll be in CT/MA in mid June. Time is flying! It’s about ten days to hike from Delaware Water Gap to the NY/CT line.

I caught Anduleia, Speedy, Mukwa, and their friend, Bill. Brent and Andy were in town when I arrived. They were supposed to do another 15 miles but when I left the bar they were drinking. I don’t thing they made it out of town.

Appalachian Trail Day 87 - 501 Shelter - Port Clinton

This isn’t the trail but some times it seems like it was.

Tonight we are sleeping on a covered pavilion in Port Clinton. It’s raining and its very damp. I put my tent up but I’m still going to wake up damp.

I have tons of food now. I’m bumping most of it ahead but the holiday is messing things up. I don’t know how Im supposed to get my shoes in the Water Gap. I don’t thing they’ll get there in time.

The bird count is up to 67. I saw a Belted Kingfisher. Cliff Swallow, swans, and white geese (snow geese?).

I saw a deer (55) right as I left the woods today. It was right next to me when it ran up the hill. She/he stopped only feet up the hill, so I got a picture. I hope it comes out.

Time to get ready for bed.

Scatman 2011 – Port Clinton wasn’t much of a town but if it has a Post Office it’s all a hiker needs. Even then a Post Office isn’t necessary if an outfitter or other location in town accepts packages. There was an outfitter in town and hotel with a restaurant. I believe I at there with some of the group. Years later I worked with the owner of the outfitter to get Nuun in his store and also supplied a few of his Boy Scout trips with Nuun.

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Scatman

Get out there!