Sprout Day 39 (Thursday, May 5th, 2016)

Last night we stayed at the pavilion in Port Clinton.  It was a nice place to stay and we didn't have to pay anything.  It was a big pavilion on a church property.  Bag of Tricks met us there and stayed with us, he brought a tent and set it up in the pavilion too.  There was also a guy who thru hiked last year named Remedy.  He's a cool guy and had some great trail stories to share with us. I love meeting people that have hiked in the past, especially when they are nice and as helpful as this guy.  He stayed in the pavilion too. He knew Tricks from last year on the trail. I think Tricks also enjoyed the company because a good friend of his, Baltimore Jack just passed away and I know it was really bothering Tricks.  Baltimore Jack was a trail angel legend that has helped hikers for many years. It's sad to hear this news but I'm glad we could help Tricks get out of the funk that he was in.

We all had pizza and a nice fire last night. We woke up in the morning and got breakfast at 3 C's.  If anyone is ever in Port Clinton you have to stop here for breakfast.  They have great prices and amazing food!  I got a big breakfast platter and could hardly finish my meal.  After we ate Bubbles and I went to the barber shop because she missed it yesterday. I didn't mind going back because it's a great place for hikers to hang out. We took our time at the barber shop and just enjoyed the moment. Maggie got an AT symbol shaved in the back of her head, lol.  The barber loved it.  While we were waiting there I went down to this great little candy shop and loaded up on some candy before we hit the trail.  If I lived in Port Clinton I'd definitely be going to the barber shop a lot.  It was a great experience and I'm so happy we went there again.

Best Breakfast EVER!!

Graffiti on the way out of Port Clinton

I thought his was cool!

I thought the state map was a pretty cool idea

This is the AT symbol Bubbles got on the back of her head!

We picked up a resupply box from the post office and sent a couple of things home. It's a good feeling to have a resupply but it does make the next couple days difficult because of the extra weight.  We're getting ready for a wet week, there's rain in the forecast for the next ten days. Spring has sprung and it looks like the rain is on its way.  

When we got to the next shelter it was pretty much full so we set up our tent.  Right before bed we heard a loud crash. It's a scary feeling to hear a tree fall in the woods when you're camping in a tent around a bunch of trees.  It's important to check the trees above your tent before you set it up to make sure it doesn’t look dead and all the branches look healthy.  It ended up being Mountain Man hanging his food bag on what looked to be a perfect tree and a great spot but the tree was rotted from the inside and the whole thing came crashing down when he pulled his bag up.... I bet he was surprised!!! We’re just glad he was ok and no one got hurt!

Rock Cairns

Sign pointing to Pocahontas Spring

Sign at Minnehaha Spring

And we are here!

Part of the trial today

So thankful this trail exists!

Day:  39

Miles hiked:  5.7

Total Miles hiked on the trail:  361.6

Bears:   0

Butterfly:  8

Chipmunk:  3

Cows:  24

Crawfish:  1

Deer:  20

Horses:  12

Inchworm:  1

Really Big Dog:  1

Mouse:  2

Nest of bugs:  1

Newt:  1

Rabbit:  1

Skunk:  1

Snail:  1

Snake:  1

Squirrels:  11

Toad:  1

Trout:  2

Turkeys:  4

Turtles:  107

Vulture:  6

Woodpecker:  1

Bubbles Day 31 (Wednesday, April 27, 2016)

I was so excited to get into Duncannon, Pennsylvania today!  The short four miles down the steep incline were nothing. I knew we were meeting up with Ox and the thought of seeing our friend made my pack feel light as a feather and my heart flutter with happiness. I was also receiving a package at the world famous Doyle Hotel for new shoes. What a treat for me!  I was so excited about the thought of getting new shoes I pretty much danced down that mountain into Duncannon.

When we got to the Doyle I was so excited I could barely contain myself. I was smiling ear to ear and couldn't wait to get inside and check out this iconic Hotel.  They weren't open yet so we chilled outside with a few other people. I could have hugged all of them.

As soon as we got to the Doyle we put our crocs on

I didn't know it yet, but I had just met Bag o Tricks. One of the most righteous, stand up, coolest people I have ever met.  He was a storyteller and could easily captivate an audience with his boisterous laugh and welcoming smile. The jokes rolled off his tongue with such ease and he literally had me crying with laughter and holding my sides by the end of the day with all his stories and jokes. I really respect him and his views on long distance hiking.  He also educated me about the ALDHA (The Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association).  The man has a true love for the trail to preserve it and make sure it's around for generations to come. I enjoyed every second of our time shared. But let me get back to the Doyle Hotel.

Bubbles and Bag o Tricks

The Doyle Hotel is rich with history. It was originally built in the 1700's as a wooden structure.  It burned down in the early 1900's and was rebuilt. It's a beautiful place and reminded me of the hotel we used to stay at in Wildwood, New Jersey (The Gettysburg Hotel). It has communal bathrooms on each floor and separate bedrooms for guests. The bar/restaurant is on the first floor and the owners live on the second floor. The two floors above that are for guests. If you are looking for someone to fluff the pillows and lay a mint on them, you are in the wrong place.  But if you are looking for an experience that is rich with history and whose owners love hikers, then Pat and Vickey's (the Doyle hotel owners) place is the place to stay.

How cool are these stairs?

When they opened they hadn't even had their morning coffee yet.  Vickey asked me for my trail name and when I answered,  she asked, "you aren't one of those bubbly, always smiling and happy types are you"? I replied, "I am a jack of all trades, I was a bartender for years, I can act however you would like".  I joked with her and laughed and all the while she still hadn't finished her coffee. It made me think of all the times I opened the bar and hoped to drink my coffee and have a dance party (with myself) and then found a patron sitting at the front door waiting for a beer at 11 am. I felt like I was starting to annoy her, but I was so happy and excited I couldn't shut up. Let's be honest, I am never quiet. I am a loud person and love talking to strangers. When we got up to head to our rooms Vickey said "Hey, I need something from you, Bubbles" and came around the bar. She had her arms stretched out big and embraced my smelly hiker butt in a big giant hug. I instantly fell in love and thought again for the millionth time, I am so blessed to be living this dream.

Our room was awesome. Big and spacious. Old and worn, and I loved it. It smelled much better than the Ecolodge in Harpers Ferry.  It smelled faintly of hippie oils and it seemed clean enough for me.  Our mattress was soft and had a bow in the middle which made us both end up in the middle of the bed. Which was fine with us because it was cold and we couldn't figure out how to turn the heater on.

Vickey... you can tell she loves me! (or as Kathleen says, "She looks like she's been "Margareted")

After we got settled in and showered we waited for Ox to arrive.  While waiting we got to know Tricks better.  This man is the bees knees.  He ended up sitting with us while we had lunch with Ox and he gave me one of his hushpuppies. This big man who looks faintly of Santa Claus was winning over my heart.  It was amazing to catch up with Ox. I love this man and all he stands for. I feel like there isn't anyone like Ox in the world and I always praise him. His reason for hiking is so important to me and it's important to me that he finishes this hike for his fallen soldiers. I respect all veterans and believe they deserve the world. When it was time for Ox to leave I didn't want him to go. The time flew by and I wish I could have paused and talked with him all day. He got back on the trail because he is a BEAST and crushes miles!  I can't wait to see his picture standing on top of Katahdin. He is a gem and I will cherish him and his friendship forever.

The Three Amigos with Ox, again!!

A little closer now!

We hung out with Tricks for the rest of the day and he was slowly becoming my new best friend (even though I miss T-bone) and he didn't even know it.  We watched movies with him about long distance hiking and he gave us treats. At the end of the night I was sad because I still wanted to hangout.

New shoes!!!  This is awesome!