August – Long Days/Rugged Trail

August blew in like a lion . . . I asked the Turtle and Navigator if they might be able to end their adventure one day early. It was only something I asked them to think about. We talked about this possibility before they left, so it did not come as a great surprise.

I thought that they would just cut a day off their hike; however, keeping true to form they have chosen to push themselves harder to work in 20 miles over 10 days. August has had some delightful moments including the guys entering into an ice cream eating contest. Dale was the clear winner on this one, eating a half gallon of ice cream in less than an hour. Ben completed the competition, but took a little longer. They guys also were met by a Keith, Dale’s life long friend. Keith was their chauffer and tour guide to Gettysburg.

The good times were combined with a few scary moments in August . . .

 Port Clinton - Turtle and Navigator called after arriving at their last ‘port-o-call’ or overnight in a ‘hotel’ on August 5. The term hotel should be used loosely . . . indoor accommodations maybe, not that’s not it . . . night with electricity is probably the most appropriate.

Their arrival to the city was one day earlier than expected. They called in the early evening, after showering, but before eating dinner. Both Dale and Ben’s voices were weary and weak. This was the first time that sounded this way.

The Port Clinton hotel experience was less than relaxing . . . to paraphrase Ben this hotel is slightly better than their worst experience, because there wasn’t a burned out bar in front of the hotel and the shower did not have holes to the outside of the building. Dale’s funniest comment had to do with the sleeping arrangements . . . .the hotel was located above a bar and restaurant with two bathrooms, one at each end of the hall, and beds only in the rooms. The bed was a double bed with a dip. The dip was across the center of the bed where your backside normally hits, so the head and the foot of the bed were slightly higher. It was not a very restful night.

 Eckville Shelter – Navigator called around 6:30 p.m. to let me know that they were having yet another long day, 23 miles. He said that the terrain was rocky. On one climb he heard Turtle holler . . . this was somewhat disconcerting because a fall could have really been dangerous . . . it turned out that Turtle lost his footing and only slipped/fell a short distance. Navigator cut the call short because a storm was rolling in so I do not have any more details on the fall. Here’s hoping that Turtle did not hurt himself.

At this point the guys say that they will finish on August 9. Please continue to keep them in your prayers . . . the next few days are going to be the hardest. According to other hiker accounts the last 20 miles on Saturday are the most memorable part of the Pennsylvania trail and not because they are scenic qualities, because they are rocky and hard to climb.