I was all ready up when a hiker came past my tent. okay I need to get going .I was on the trail by 7am and back to my Friend’s the Rocks. I stumbled and tripped my way along passing several other hikers who were breaking camp. I knew that it wouldn’t being until they raced by me.

And yes it wasn’t long before strider came past and he was almost jogging !!

The morning was fairly uneventful rocks rocks and more rocks. But I pushed on as it was beginning to get hot. I began to meet several day hikers . a grandad with his grandchildren.

I began to hear cars and began to drop down , I crossed the road where the sign said .6 to the shelter. I decided that it stop there for a break.

I followed the blue blaze and the shelter appeared. I grabbed the book and signed in then relaxed and ate some snacks .

I was still chilling when Hills arrived and then went to get water. . When he reappeared I asked what it was like.

It’s good Snail it’s fresh water . so I imeaditly chugged a litre ad went and filled up again.

Time to hike .I hoisted my pack and set off down the trail I was imeaditly in a large open.pmane with great views . a great place to camp.

After several small ups and downs I was on a dirt road and was a me to increase my speed as there were no rocks . i followed it for several miles untill it ended at a substation .

Then itvwas back to the Rocks but I was heading down . lots of the ants were dying probs from.lack of water . I passed through several Rhodadendrum tunnels before dropping down into the forest.

now I was spiralling down and could see the sprawling river below. Finally i emerged out by a huge lake covered with water lillies . then I was in the town I saw the pub /bar but walked a little further to the church . which is donation.

Happy feet & Bob Narly are here I chat to them then chill.

they are going to Wal-Mart so I give them a list meaning I can’t spend too much .

While they are gone I relaxed in the sun and rested my foot.

As I resting. Granite Gear, followed by Sunshine and Moustrap appear . how did you beat us ?

Getting up early and pushing the miles. Although I wasn’t that far in front of them . and they take longer breaks than me. The Church was now full so they went to put up their tents on the grass behind the church. Then the Father and daughter team team arrived .

Im glad I was I front of them

HAPPY feet soon returned and great she had every thing on my list and I onlybowed her 4 bucks. bargain. so grabbed my lemonade and ice cream and sat outside to devour it

When that was accomplished

I sorted out my food then took a shower and had a shave. then the Invisible man and myself went out for a pizza and beer as we can’t drink at the church.

But we weren’t late as j wanted a fairly early night and a good start in the morning.

Start. 1280.4
Finish 1294.7
Miles. 14.3

Wed 11th July

It was a slow getaway but I was on trail by 6.45..
The trail started as it ended yesterday Rock and more rock.
again it’s the small pointy ones that hurt most. I cautiously crossed rock field after rock field . and after 2 hours I had had enough of the rock .Suddenly the rock turned into lovely path and then i arrived at the first shelter. I walked down to have a nose and take a 5 minute break or basically rest my foot. I had a few snacks wrote in the book then continued on my way.

The rocks had gone and in.its place was a lovely trail and so I was able to push . it was fairly smooth for several miles.

In the distance I could hear traffic and shortly I exited onto a busy road. crossed over and continued on my way . I pushed on for several more hours as I wanted to get to the second shelter as I needed water.

The water here was miles away and down another trail

But as I needed water I dropped my pack and went to get water.

Start. 1218.9
Finish
Miles

Monday 9th July
I heard several other hikers moving around at 6 am but I had chores to do so there was no hurry. at 8 am I got up for the customary see but as I was in public, I wandered over to the porta Potty.
I then returned to my bed. and was dozing when several ladies appeared bringing in food.
There’s going to be coffee and eggs one of the ladies announced.
so, I got up . and walked over to where they were setting up.
There was indeed bacon . boiled eggs and a sort of omelette that was so tasty. I also had coffee. then the ladies brought around juices . and bagels . then insisted that we have more .
Well that was unexpected and really nice .
Okay haircut time .I walked to the barber’s carrying my old poles and bits that I wanted to post.
I walked into the barber’s and was amazed it was like Aladdin’s cave. filled with memorabilia and brick a brack and all the chairs where rocking chairs
There was a man having his hair cut so good I will be next then I can get on
But No.
Once the man had paid .The barber began doing other stuff.
Then he looked at me . and asked do you want your hair cut?
Well yes, I do .

A few minutes he said and began to fill cases with silver coins and other trinkets .
Get yourself a coffee and pastry, there are cookies there and relax
Then the father and daughter hikers arrived but they just wanted a lift. One of my customers will take you just relax.
Almost 40 minutes later he’s ready for me, but as he starts to cut my hair, he keeps having conversations with everyone as the shop gradually fills up.
Then 2 more members of staff arrive and again he starts to cut my hair then wanders off to chat to more customers .
I’m still sat in the chair when noproblama arrives, but only to charge his phone

omg a 45-minute hair cut but it did look good. I pay and go to retrieve my phone and noproblama laughs at the amount of time that it took .
Yes, I said as I need to get to the post office.
Snail it doesn’t open until 12.30 ,!!
Really, I say . bugger ,I was hoping to head straight back out well after tree hugger gets in
I grab a chair and continue begin to charge my phone whilst editing video
Tree hugger appears .
“Snail is this yours”.  he says passing me my puffy that I had left in the last motel. Thank you so much, I really appreciate it thanks again .

I grab a photo of us and me in the chair.
Tree Hugger decides to get his hair cut , I say my goodbyes as he is staying in a hotel in the next town.
I walk to the Post office,hand over my I’d “There should be a couple of packages for me.
He comes back with 4 packages ,my new poles, new tips, new socks and a case for my phone.
When i had finished sorting gear I wander back to the pavilion. I put the new ends into my poles before sorting out my other gear . The case for my phone is good but the glass is the wrong size and it’s not worth returning it. oh well my mistake.

After some planing i drink a few beers left from yesterday before deciding that as my foot is still painful  i will take another Zero and rest it.
There appears that several other hikers are resting so decide to grab forty winks with my foot elevated.
At 5 pm Robin hood decides to go for food
Where are you going, I asked
To the Hotel snail?
” I don’t think they open on a Monday, but the fire station club is, and they do snacks and cheap beer” i say
“You fancy coming Snail?
“Yeah why not .
On the way to town  we decide to check  on the Hotel., but  it as we approach a lady shouts out
“They are closed on a Monday”
We arrive at the fire station and push the bell. when the light goes orange, we can open the door and can enter.
As its a private club we have to be signed in so ask several patrons if they would mind signing us in then we can order beer.
The local ale is Yuengling and is served in frosted glasses.

I ordered some food , which I soon dispose of before making the whole bar laugh by asking for a serviette as the barman is confused.
Oh, sorry i mean a Napkin.
Several of the locals buy me beer and I’m just about to leave when 2 more beers arrive I must go after these I insist .
When at last I exit the fire station there is a nip in the air and wished I had brought my puffy which I now have back.
I must admit I enjoy the walk back at dusk watching the fireflies dart about

once back at the Pavilion I pack up my gear so I’m ready to go first thing.
Start 1185
Finish 1185.
Miles. ZERO

As I had put in the miles I treated myself to a lie in , Although I heard my tenting companion packing up to leave. Finally I emerged at 8am and began to pack up I had enough gas to make tea.

I finished my packing and stepped back onto the trail. and attacked the rocks again.

My left foot was hurting . I put it down to the Constant rocks as the sole seems bruised. so I shoved more ibourfin down me and tried to blank it out. although every now and then my foot landed on a stupid rock sending pain shooting up my foot and a few choice words spilt from my mouth.

I slowed down and tried to concentrate on how I placed my foot. The big ones are easy it the small pointy ones that kill me and they are almost impossible to miss.

I pushed on and on the rocks being replaced with more mud and swamps which I have to say is far better than the rock. Then some nice trail whoop allowing me to push and make up time.. But then I thought why push there is no hurry as I will be in town for 2 days.

It wasn’t long till I got to my first climb which of course was steep and long. I puffed and panted up it. Once up the trail was gentle until I reached the next rock challenge . well the challenge was looking for the blazes. and I hate it when you step on a huge granite slab and it moves putting you off balance. Once over I pushed on and the trail was now littered with blow downs to climb over . One was fairly huge and as I tried to get over it my pole sunk into the ground sending me crashing into the ground
Fuck bollocks and a few other words escaped from my mouth. But luckily no damage.. but I was annoyed with myself and the tree.

Okay time for a break and in the distance I could see a perfect spot. yep that will do
When i got there , there was a lady called Judy who was on her way home from a few days hiking. We chatted fora while and then she offered to take me to Cabelas a large outdoors store.
Brilliant and she offered to wait for me to.
Judy headed off saying your soon catch me. but I will be in the car park
After 20 minutes I set off after her stumbling over more rocks. Then had to wait until another big snake moved off of the trail.
Finally one more descent then i would be in Port Clinton, BUt the descent was stupidly steep and gravel so you were almost sliding down .
It took me about 10 minutes to get down as it was so slippery.

I finally emerged onto a bike track and Judy was waiting. we crossed the railway. which is a steam and coal museum then walked to her car

Wow Cabelas was amazing.
It had rows and rows of fishing rods. rows of lures and floats . Then rows and rows of guns and ammo. Then camping and water sports I was hypnotised with the quantity of stuff. and in the more a huge collection of stuffed animals laid out in amazing scenes .

I headed upstairs for the camping department. sadly they didn’t have the size gas I wanted so I had to but a huge one but it will last. I also brought a few other bits and pieces
I could have spent hours in this store but my ride was waiting to take me back to town.

As I got out of her car I saw sunshine, Granite Gear and mousetrap. As we chatted a guy said do you guys want a cold beer?
We were sat outside the fire station but they have their own private bar. The man signed us in and we enjoyed several cold beers .

Next it was off to find the pavilion where I would stay that was a little way down the road.
It was a large pavilion with tables and free items donated by kind people
I found a space. and lay out my pad and sleeping bag.
I was relaxing when an oldish man asked did any one need a ride.
I would love to go to Wal-Mart, a
Soon two other hikers and myself were heading to the store. I brought a few bits plus memory card and a large usb to clear down my phone.
Our driver then dropped us back to a bar in town . I ordered a burger and washed that down with a few more cold ales. I was just eating when Granite Gear, Mousetrap and noproblama appeared, Sunshine had a migraine so had crashed.
I enjoyed my burger had one more beer then grabbed a six pack to take back to the pavilion.
I quickly put all my food in a bag to hang in case of mice before enjoying another beer with mousetrap, Soul-man and Robin hood. before hitting the sack

Start 1207.5
Finish 1218.9
Miles. 11.4

I decided to get up early so I could do the miles with out going too fast. I stripped down my tent, hoisted my pack .
As Sunshine had her fly off , I could see that she was awake so l quietly said bye see you up the trail.
The start was steep until I was up on the ridge then it levelled out, but was still very rocky , my feet were feeling every single rock .
It was a gorgeous day but with out the humidity, that just drains me. I pushed on until the trail became a dirt road and was rock less
I made the most of the flat rock-less terrain by pushing harder. I crossed several roads , hoping to see an ice chest…sadly not today. sob .

I pushed on and sever hours later I was crossing the road near the 501 shelter. I detoured down to it, rifled through the hiker box for gas. All were empty apart from a 8 oz . It didn’t have much in but maybe it would give me a boil…..or three. I decided to have lunch here and also topped up my water. I was now,ready

I made my way back to the trail and pushed on through the rock. I met 3 girl hikers coming the other way and was amazed to see that 2 were wearing flip flops..
wow I’m impressed I said.
The trail stayed the same climb up and over rock repeat. and then take you down and do it ,all again
By now the sun was scorching but I plodded. on trying to get back into the cool forest.
At last the forest but omg it was like being in the everglades in Florida, marshy , boggy ,smelly marsh.
I was constantly changing sides to keep dry and where were the blazes?
I stopped and checked my phone , yes I was on course but where were the blazes. It appeared that they had been rubbed out, maybe kids . If I looked behind me I could see them so they had only been removed going north

I soldiered on jumping and using stepping stones and logs to navigate this muddy swamp until at last dry land.
I suddenly came upon an amazing huge tent in the middle of nowhere. wow how the hell did they get that in there.
The problem with us hikers is that we use a very limited map which only shows us one route so we do not get to see other trails and paths.

I exited onto another road and climbed up the other side . It was now getting late but my target was in sight. I pushed on . I will get water next then I can start to look for a camp site.

Great a spring I topped up my bottles then moved on . Then I met another familiar face getting water at the next stream. I can’t remember his name but he was st the ice cream challenge with us. We said our hellos a.d he asked where I was heading .
The next tent site I said laughing.
okay snail I may see you there.!
The camp site was 2 miles away and I was soon putting up my tent. then I hung my rope ready for my food bag .
Next I assembled my chair and began to hear water for tea. my fingers crossed that it would last.
I was just starting on dinner when the other hiker appeared.
Do you mind if i join you SNAIL.
Not st all as there was plenty of room . he wanted to get to the next shelter but had had enough for the day
He admired my tent. yes it’s a 3 man I replied just for me
Wow snail you have a chair!
Yes I said because I’m worth it .
It suddenly became quite buggy sending us both scuttling inside our tents.
He then asked what time I was getting up ..
Normally 6 am , but as I’m not far from town I may have a lie in” I laughed
But don’t worry about waking me . Night

Start 1185.
Finish 1207.5
Miles. 23