TRAIL DAY 127
Sun, June 26, 2016 I couldn’t resist pictures of Theo over breakfast. What’s not to love about this most faithful of companions. Many, many times I have thought: “If only I were toward God as Theo is toward me.” Patient; attentive; loyal; faithful; always as close as possible; accepting. You’ve seen the bumper sticker: DEAR GOD, MAKE ME THE PERSON MY DOG THINKS I AM.
The trail continued on, mostly flat, with a few mini ups and downs, heading toward Port Clinton, Pennsylvania.
I called Bonnie to see if she might be able to join me there for dinner. Perhaps we’d spend the night together at The Port Clinton Hotel. We made plans to meet and play the rest by ear. I guess that expression comes from the ability to play an instrument without sheet music. We would let the circumstances dictate.
More long, flat, rocky trail, on and on, wishing for markers, finding none, just keeping on and on and on. Over 9 miles, you kinda wish you knew were you were in your journey. The absence of that knowledge was one of the main features of much of the AT in Pennsylvania. Unmarked wilderness and then rocks followed by rocks.
In time we came to Port Clinton but not until we negotiated a steep, 1000′ descent that required a rope assist at the final stone steps down to the tracks of the Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad, “The Road of Anthracite,” just south of town. Huge pieces of coal were monuments to the past – maybe not so past.
On reviewing my pictures, I see we got to town around 3:30 p.m. I’m not sure when Bonnie got there but I do know we had a meal in a quiet, private section at the back right of the Port Clinton Hotel. Our waitress was nice and brought Theo some water after bending down to pet him.
I had a couple of bowls of some awesome soup, a burger and fries and 2-3 lemonades. Selfishly ravenous, I don’t remember what Bonnie had but I do remember very well her solicitation for my appearance and complete exhaustion. I debated whether to tackle the steep climb out of Port Clinton or perhaps take a zero at the hotel. During a long and soft look at me, Bonnie said, “Soren, you need to come home.”
I listened, debated with myself and finally accepted the fact that she was right. I needed the rest for body, mind and spirit. My feet and diarrhea were wearing me out. I accepted my wife’s wisdom and the wisdom of my body. Like Rumpole’s wife, the body must be obeyed. Perhaps I’ll collect all the lessons in one place at some point but two biggies:
Don’t argue with Mother Nature – nothing can be more true – you’re gunna lose!
And a corollary:
Don’t fight what your body is telling you – again, you’re gunna lose!
Another way I have captured this last point is:
Sometimes the fastest way forward is to stop.
I had to stop. I went home, via the very comfortable and inviting home of my generous brother-in-law and his dear wife and family. I may have evoked a little sense of pity describing my sheer exhaustion – such that I had to bow to the wisdom of bride and body – but, your emotions will take a sudden shift when you see how comfortable I was on the way home. I needed every ounce of the love and kindness I received at Andy-and-Colleen’s and at home where I would remain for 3 full days off.
Day #127 Eagles Nest Shelter > Port Clinton (home) 9.0 miles