Nimblewill Nomad
Long Distance Hiker/Author
Journal 145-ODYSSEY 2021: Bama to Baxter-Hike On!
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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)
2 Comments on “Journal 145-ODYSSEY 2021: Bama to Baxter-Hike On!”
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Thank you for sharing your journey with us! You are one of my heroes! I’m doing my first big section hike of the Georgia part of the Trail starting August 28.
Be safe; you are in my prayers. ❤
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WOW, thank God for smooth trail, some times❣️🙂 Beautiful views in that section. Testimony to your serious fitness, 10 hour days, hiking the terrain you do, Nimble Will, amazing❣️🙂😎 God bless and keep you safe ❤️
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