What a crazy day! I knew rain was in the forecast this morning. But it appeared to be light, so I didn’t worry. The Eckerts shuttled me, then left to go home to Holland, Mich. I struck out north from Sprucevale Lock under a very light rain.
The first mile or so of trail was nice. Then I got bumped onto the road. And the real rain began.
It got heavier and heavier, and I was getting quite wet. By the time I knew I needed to put on my rain poncho, I was soaked. A man in a truck turned around to see if I needed a ride. I said no, I had to hike this road walk, but I asked if he’d fish out the poncho in my backpack and help put it on. He did, which was a great help.
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Heading Toward Watt’s Mill
Around 11:30, the rain stopped. But it was still cloudy and cool, so I wasn’t drying out. Around noon I transitioned back onto trail. Pappy Z’s shelter was nearby, so I stopped there for lunch. I hoped my poncho and coat would dry out a little while I ate lunch, but they didn’t. I was soaked and freezing.
Trail angel Karen was going to shuttle me today and had offered to have me stay over. I’d initially declined, thinking it would be fun to be in the shelter at 
Watt’s Mill. But feeling like hypothermia was looming, I texted her and asked if her offer was still good. She said yes, and I relaxed. I might be cold now, but a hot shower and warm bed awaited.
The last several miles of trail were lovely. There were undulating hills and, in one part, a flat stretch on an old railroad bed. There was one unpleasant stretch on Booth Hill, where the trail was wide but very overgrown with almost knee-high vegetation – which was wet from all of the rain. But that wasn’t a huge deal. And I made it into Pennsylvania!
Karen met me at the Watt’s Mill trailhead and I followed her to her beautiful home, where I am warm and happy.
Snowshoe
Ohio NCT miles today: 17.7 (28.5 km)
Ohio NCT miles to date: 1,048.2 (1,686.9 km)
Pennsylvania NCT miles to date: 3.9 (6.3 km)
Total NCT miles to date: 3,886.1 (6,254.1 km)
Total NCT miles to go: 713.9 (1,148.9 km)
My most useful gear today: My Frogg Toggs poncho, which protected me from the rain (once I put it on!).
