Summary
May 14th
William Penn Selter to PA 183 (Rock ‘n Sole Hostel)
NOBO mile #1203.0
Tolmann’s daily mileage 14.4
Tolmann’s total mileage 179.3
Got up around 6:30, just as the three amigos (Radio, Fish, and a name I can’t remember) hit the trail. I got ready slowly and made a hot breakfast. PK and Chainsaw left before I began to prepare my breakfast, so I had the shelter to myself.
After my oatmeal, it was time to put away my dry clothes and put on my still sopping clothes. Of all the things I learned about in my research, this is one I dread most. Wet t-shirt, wet underwear, wet shirt, wet trousers, wet socks, wet boots. All very cold.
Just typing that made me shiver…
I hit the trail before 8am. Not being one to actually learn a lesson, I tried to get to 501 Shelter before Meeko left.
The day started wet and foggy. But as the morning progressed it began to clear.
The trail beyond William Penn shelter was a beautifully developed fire road, and I made awesome time. In fact, though i assumed it would take me 2 hours, I actually got there in about an hour and fifteen minutes.
Here I discovered that a person supporting his wife’s hike had brought awesome trail magic the night before and Meeko laid out the bounty of leftovers. There were even a couple of orange crush sodas. When was the last time you cried because someone left you a soda? After the previous day’s challenges, this was a poignant moment for me. There were little cheese sticks and granola bars, and even instant coffee sticks. And a mini KIT KAT BAR!!!!
I had decided that since I needed a resupply after three nights out, that I would stop at the Rock ‘n Sole Hostel off PA RT 183., so I called and reserved a spot before leaving. Tilly and Hops were planning on stopping there, and so wasn’t Chainsaw. It also sounded like I’d be catching up with Halfblind, again. Meeko was hiking on to the next shelter, because she has a mail drop to pick up in Port Clinton tomorrow.
So Meeko and I started out together, chatting and filling in some of our history for each other. Somewhere around this point I pocket dialed Debbie on my phone because she got a call from me which I didn’t make. She said she only understood a word or two. Huh!
For about a half a mile, the terrain was pretty level and I was able to keep pace with Meeko, but then the ascent developed, and I told her to go on.
The ascents are still kick my behind, so I really have to slow up. Then the infamous rocks, slowing me still further.
The ubiquitous red eft
Around mid morning, though, I saw Meeko at an overlook, and with her were Tilly and Hops! Hops had his uke out and was singing along. I snuck up on them and started singing harmony. They were shocked and seemed delighted to see me, as I was them.
We chatted for a bit after Meeko set off again, then they left me to my snack break and the amazing view.
It felt so good to be hiking in the sunshine, with a breakfast plus trail magic, and leapfrogging friends.
At the next overlook I stopped for lunch, discovering that my honey had leaked in the top compartment (the brain) of my pack and on my lunch makings. I was feeling too good to let that get to me.
While looking at the view and eating my tuna tortilla (with honey and trail magic cheese), there were a couple rumbles of thunder, and dark clouds coming up from behind the ridge; I finished my lunch, then packed back up.
Tilly and Hops were a short distance ahead at a stream, so I leapfrogged them. The last few miles of the trail, the trail was more stream than trail. Maybe a preview of Maine?
Hops and Tilly and I met back up at the marker above (.2 miles from 183) then hiked to the road, and made a call for our pick-up delivery to Rock ‘n Sole.
Now I’m clean and laundered and fed and inside on a night that has turned bizarrely windy. So glad I’m not in my hammock tonight.
The plan is a short early morning Walmart run, then 6-ish miles to Eagles Nest Shelter to stage for the descent into Port Clinton. Should be hitting 200 miles soon.
Have been learning the words to Grateful Dead’s song Ripple. Found this lyric to be particularly pertinent:
There is a road, no simple highway
Between the dawn and the dark of night
And if you go no one may follow
That path is for your steps alone
Peace!
Tom Maynard 
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