Samwise Hikes the Appalachian Trail! - Trail Journal -
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July 14, Eckville Shelter - mile 1217.6

I am living large tonight! Another beautiful shelter right next to the home of the caretaker, with bunks inside, comfy soft chairs, a frig on the porch with tons of sodas, juice & ice cream bars for a donation. There's also the shower/privy house which has a solar shower & a flush toilet! I never cease to be amazed.

The whole day has been amazing, really. Tony dropped me off back in Port Clinton this morning around 5:30 & then he headed for home & I tackled the first mountain of the day. It gave me the change to try my inhaler, but I was a bit disappointed with the results. I actually didn't notice any difference, but I'm hoping to try it a few more times before I pass judgment. If it doesn't make any difference, then I'll know I really don't have asthma but maybe I have something else.

At the first shelter, I ran into a group of cadets on their last day of wilderness medic training, I had a great time talking to their leader, plus I enjoyed a glass of juice, & I took about 15 pictures with all their cameras. Several of them stopped by to ask about my hike & they were the most polite, respectful & wonderful sixteen-year-olds I have ever met. Before I left, they even gave me a patch that is from many years ago when they were an airborne medic group. What a great group!

I then climbed up to Pulpit Rock, a rock outcropping with a stunning view across the valley below. The valley contains Blue Rocks, a mile-long, block-wide river of boulders left by the last glacial period. From there, I climbed farther along the ridge to the Pinnacle, which my guidebook lists as having the best views in Pennsylvania. WOW! They weren't kidding. I sat for what seemed like forever, watching dozens of hawks circle below us. What an amazing sight! For miles all around, you could also see a huge patchwork quilt of farms & fields. The funny thing was, there were so many weekend hikers out, my attention was almost more on the circus show of running & screaming kids, howling dogs, & yelling parents than on the beautiful view around me.

And now I'm here for the evening, catching up with a few folks I haven't seen in a while. Taking a couple days off gives everyone a chance to catch up - and tomorrow they'll pass me while I spend the day relaxing at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary.