(Eagle's Nest Shelter (mile 1211.2) - Port Clinton Pavilion (off mile 1220) *overnight in Port Clinton*)

The morning hiking was gray and chilly. The rain held mostly held out, although everything was still saturated from the last two days. The wetness brought out an intensity of life in the forest, with every bit of foliage - from ferns to rhododendron - radiating a proud, vigorous green.

The trail stayed mostly flat over the first 8 or so miles, but took an absolute nosedive just before reaching town. Fortunately, I avoided slipping and my butt remained un-busted. Once I reached town-level, the trail crossed over four railroad tracks at a railroad station just outside of town. I crossed a bridge over the Schuylkill River and reached Broad Street, one of the (3?) main roads in Port Clinton. Almost as soon as I stepped foot onto Broad Street and before I even started attempting to hitch, a truck pulled up next to me and the driver asked where I was headed. I told him I was trying to get to the Walmart just down the road in Hamburg, the next town over. He told me to hop in and introduced himself as Freddy.

Freddy dropped me off at Walmart, I did my resupply, and ran into Numbers eating lunch at the Subway near the front of the store. Numbers asked if I was hiking on today and I told him that I was planning to spend the night at the Port Clinton Pavilion. I’m planning to meet AC in a few days, so I’m not in any real rush. He told me he was hiking on and I bid him happy hiking, thinking I’d probably be going too slow to run into him again. I then wound my way through a maze of parking lots to Five Guys, where I had a very tasty lunch.

After Five Guys, I made my way back to the busy turnoff into the Walmart parking lot. I saw a couple hikers trying to hitch from the same spot when Freddy dropped me off. It seemed like a perfect spot. Tons of cars, stopping at the light before either turning right or left (the direction I wanted to go). However, it took me an unexpectedly long time to land a ride. Eventually, I was offered a ride from Laurie, who worked at the Walmart vision center. I told Laurie I was spending the night at the Port Clinton pavilion, but I was first trying to get to the barber shop, where hikers were apparently welcome to hang out and charge things.

Laurie dropped me off at the barber shop, which I quickly discovered was closed for memorial day. Fortunately, Laurie hadn’t drove off yet, so I quickly ran back to her car. I think I startled her a bit, but after I explained that the barber shop was closed, she agreed to take me down the road to the pavilion.

According to Guthook, the Port Clinton pavilion is owned by a local church, which allows hikers to use it for free. When I arrived, I discovered many dozens of birds flitting about in the rafters. The pavilion was huge and could probably sleep 100 hikers laid out like sardines across the floor, however I struggled to find a spot I deemed unlikely to be pooped on by birds. I eventually settled on a section of floor without much bird poop that also wasn’t under any nests. Next, I tried to find an outlet to charge my things but I quickly realized there was no power in the pavilion. Fortunately, I should make it to Palmerton in about two days, so I don’t think I’ll be at risk of losing charge. I was eventually joined by Savage and Trainer, who also struggled to find spots with low bird poop risk. We chatted until the sun set and it was time for bed.

As I fell asleep last night, I was vaguely aware of a house party and front yard bonfire happening just down the street from the pavilion. From the sound of music and occasional hollering, it seemed like folks were having a good time.