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Wednesday–July 14, 2021
Trail Day–145
Trail Mile–-14.5/1,653.7
Location–Eckville Shelter/Bunkhouse, Eckville Hikers Center, Hawk Mountain Road, AT Mile 1,235.0
A quiet night; I slept soundly. The hotel box and bottle breakfast (cereal & milk) is ready at six. I’m right there for coffee, sweet rolls, and a cup of yogurt. Redbeard is here for me at seven, and in short time he has me back to Port Clinton. Thanks Redbeard!
I’ve a head down, dig the sticks climb first thing, just shy of a thousand feet–back up to old Blue Mountain. More Pennsylvania rocks and boulders to deal with, but then I’ve a very pleasant section of trail along an old wagon road for a distance. The noise on the ridge continues yet another day–overhead, planes departing and arriving Kennedy & LaGuardia (New York). And below, the grind from the interstate (I-78).
Clicking along in my little zone, comes up behind me two hikers. They greet me, know my name. It’s Backtrack & Maybe. They’re hiking the Eastern Continental Trail and are now over 3,000 miles into their trek. Maybe is from Florida, Backtrack, from Massachusetts. What a joy meeting these young ECT hikers! All the best to you, Backtrack & Maybe!
I remember the views from Pulpit Rock and The Pinnacle. And today, a clear, blue-perfect day. Just spectacular!
Late afternoon, the trail turns from the rocks and boulders to pick up and follow a gravel service road. A short, final section on single-track and I’m down to (and in) at Eckville Shelter. A long ten-hour day…
Life’s a climb, but the view is great.
(Miley Cyrus)
