July 29 (Day 129) - Zero Day in Hamburg/Port Clinton, PA

The washing machine at the Microtel was out of order, and despite the word of the front desk staff that it would be serviced by this morning, it remained defunct.  The staff did direct us to a laundromat a mere half hour walk away, but that was about as helpful as they were compelled to be.  The staff refused to launder our clothes in the non-guest machines and explained that they couldn't shuttle us...even though they had just shuttled another hiker back to the trail.  Zagat, Books, Sweet Cheeks, and I checked out of the less-than-helpful establishment.  And, Sweet Cheeks and I ventured off to the laundromat in a galaxy far, far away, while Zagat and Books visited Cabela's. 
At the laundromat, I met Abe's mother.  Though I'd never met Abe, we talked for some time, and she told me of Abe's unfortunate encounter with Lyme's disease.  He had apparently hiked into Port Clinton with a 105° fever and was taking some time off the trail to recuperate.  She offered us a ride back to the trail, whenever we were ready.

After completing the laundry, we called Rochelle, Abe's mother; she collect the four of us and delivered us to the Port Clinton post office.  I secured a mail drop, as we discussed our plans for the remainder of the day.  We wanted lunch, but nothing was open in Port Clinton.  As such, we found a trail angel, Fred, who drove us back into Hamburg.

We explored Cabela's and found that it didn't really cater to hikers, more to outdoor sports.  The gear tended to be rather low end, as well.  We ate dinner at Logan's Roadhouse and attempted to hitch back into Port Clinton.  (But again...this is Pennsylvania, so it came as no surprise when no one would pick us up.)  After our attempts at hitchhiking failed, we called Fred, who returned us to Port Clinton. 

Fred informed us of free tenting at the local park, and we all decided that it was much too late to hike out.  After relaxing around a blazing fire, we all retired for the night. 

July 26 (Day 126) - Random Campsite to Swatara Gap

Zagat and Books broke camp early, leaving before me and Sweet Cheeks had even exited the tent.  Sweet Cheeks and I took our time and didn't begin hiking until well after midday.  It was a slow, lazy day; we plodded along, enjoying the trail, the weather, and one another's company.  Along the trail, we met Cool Shoes, a section hiker and teacher from Baltimore, MD.

When we reached PA 72, we attempted to hitch into Lickdale.  Though it's near impossible to find a ride in Pennsylvania, a gentleman in a truck picked us up.  He gave us a lift to a nearby RV campground, and we figured that closer to town was better than nothing.  However, it wasn't until he'd dropped us off that we realized the ALDHA companion was wrong; it directed us to go east, but Lickdale was actually west.

Unable to hitch another ride, we were forced to walk several miles back to where we had started.  Sweet Cheeks and I gave up on the idea of getting into town, as it was well after sundown.  We made camp near the road and called it a day.

July 28 (Day 128) - Pine Grove, PA to Hamburg, PA

Around 9:30 AM, Jeannette and Jamie, Sweet Cheek's cousin and her cousin's husband, met us at the Comfort Inn.  After arriving at the trailhead, we said goodbye to Tammy and Dan, Zagat's mother and his mother's fiance, and began hiking northbound with Jeannette.  Jamie took our packs and drove about nine miles north, walking southbound to meet us.

We said goodbye to Jeannette and Jamie, upon reaching their car, and slack-packed another 14 miles to Hamburg, PA, where our packs were awaiting our arrival at the Microtel. 

July 27 (Day 127) - Swatara Gap to Pine Grove, PA

When we awoke, Sweet Cheek's face was rather swollen, apparently from a bee sting that she'd suffered.  I gave her an antihistamine tablet and tried to allay her fears, but she was convinced that she was dying.  Well...maybe it wasn't that serious (or rather that's what she says now).

Sweet Cheeks and I began our day, bound for Pine Grove to meet up with Zagat and Books.  Shortly after breaking camp, we came upon Shark, who walked with us to the trailhead after the Route 81 underpass.  Waiting at the trailhead was Shark's wife, Thimble.  The two were caretakers of the 501 Shelter, and they asked us if we'd like to slack-pack in exchange for doing some trail maintenance.

Sweet Cheeks and I agreed to the proposition and started down the trail, less our packs and a pair of shears in my hand.  The ten-mile stretch actually took us quite a while to hike, longer than it would have with full packs; the trail maintenance was extensive.  There was one section in particular that was almost impassable, overgrown with all manner of thorned bushes.  We did our best to clear the path and finally arrived at the 501 Shelter.

We collected our packs, and Shark gave us a lift into Pine Grove.  Then, after devouring some Arby's, we made our way to the Comfort Inn to meet Zagat and Books.  Zagat introduced us to Tammy and Dan, his mother and his mother's fiance, who were visiting.  We ordered pizza and caroused in the hotel's lobby, before retiring for the evening. 

July 2 (Day 102) - Jim and Molly Denton Shelter to Rod Hallow Shelter

Early this morning, I hiked out with every intention of doing a 30+ mile day; I wanted to camp close to the Virginia/West Virginia state line, so I could attempt the four state challenge, tomorrow.  Things did not work out quite as planned.

I'd already hiked 15 miles by midday, when Sweet Cheeks sent me a text.  Apparently, she wanted to hike with me and asked that I wait for her.  I sat at Ashby Gap, conversing with Crank, and giving Sweet Cheeks time to catch up.

No longer wishing to sit on a median and watch traffic, I finally hiked a few more miles to Rod Hallow Shelter and made camp.  Sweet Cheeks met me there, and I had a hot dinner already prepared.  We enjoyed the meal and a campfire, before retiring for the night.