Samwise Hikes the Appalachian Trail! - Trail Journal -
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July 12, Port Clinton, PA - mile 1197.4

On the Michelon guide to hiker establishments, I'd say the Port Clinton Hostel is about one star up from the Doyle, but only because it has no permanent derelict residents. When I first checked in at the bar downstairs, I thought they had given me the wrong room key, because I could hear the TV blaring like crazy as I unlocked the door. But no one answered all my knocking so I pushed it on open & found a TV in here that won't shut off. Our TV at home was rescued from the trash, so I can't be a critic of those do likewise, but ours looks a hundred times better than this one. I eventually unplugged it for some peace & quiet & now I have only the constant roar of traffic from the highway outside my window to keep me company. And instead of sagging to the middle, this bed sags to the outside, so that you could roll onto the floor if you're not careful. I do miss the note on the wall telling me the linens are clean because these towels could give a person emphysema - probably since they keep them in the bar downstairs. However, I love all the signs asking hikers to bring all their trash out to the "dumbster" on the parking lot. Tony is going to love this place when he gets here!

And happy am I, because he is coming tonight & for part of tomorrow. It was no easy task finding out if he could make it, though, because this town has no public telephone. I heard a rumor down the trail that the outfitter sometimes let hikers use his personal cell phone if the call was urgent, so I headed there this morning when I got into town at 9:00. The sign says they open at 8, but every door was locked securely. So then I came down to the hotel thinking if there was a reservation in our name, I would at least know he was coming. I rang the doorbells & knocked on three doors, but no answer. At this point, I'm starting to think I have found a ghost town. I wander back to the outfitter & sit down to ponder my options, & within five minutes, Monya & Crunch come walking down the street with a gentleman I met earlier when he was out for a stroll. He offered to drive us to the nearby town of Hamburg, where Monya could buy food & Crunch & I could use the telephones by the store. Monya has an excellent knack for finding trail angels in a time of need! So we rode to the grocery store with a lovely little lady named Ruth, wife of the morning stroller. As I should have expected, with my luck on finding people this morning, Tony wasn't answering his phone, & finally I sounded desperate enough that the receptionist must have physically tracked him down. But at least we got everything settled & I should be seeing him later tonight.