Day 130, Thursday, June 21. Rock ‘n Sole Hostel—Zero Day

Today is “Hike Naked Day.”  In the interest of humanity, we decided to take a zero rather than being the cause of people poking their own eyes out. It’s a public service that I can do to help humanity—keep my clothes on.  

We did hear from Chad the Dad.  He’s had cellulitis in one of his legs and had to take a couple days off to allow his antibiotics to get going. Like a true American, he’s impatient to get going again and won’t slow down once he does start back up.  Slow down and eat the roses, Chad. 

This was a true rest day for us with only one item on the agenda…tour the Yuengling Brewery in Pottsville, PA.  We went with Hard Hat (who is undergoing a name change to Marky Mark), Nightengale, and Slip ‘n Slide. Yuengling is the oldest brewery in America because it was able to survive the dark days of prohibition (damn noses temperance wenches) by having a beer designated as a medicine for pregnant women and opening an ice cream shop. Since the brewery was built 1’ from an Irish Catholic Church, I’m sure there was also some divine help (and hidden passages for the priests).

The tour started out in underground caves which were dug by hand to store the beer while the brewery was being built above in 1829. We learned a little more of the history, but I forgot it all in the tasting room. The tour and tasting were free and worth way more than it cost.

No good off day goes unpunished—we were forced to go shopping in the gift shop after Bunny got my wallet loosened up with a few beers. I was able to refrain from purchasing a growler knowing that it would be difficult to get refills on the trail.

The tour and tasting were followed by a short walk through Pottersville to Roma Pizza for lunch and a couple pitchers of Chettie. If it weren’t for Yuengling, Pottsville would be less impressive than Duncannon. With Yuengling, it’s only moderately more so.  As has happened with most manufacturing jobs in our country, they have gone overseas leaving vacant factories and unemployed workers behind. 

After a precarious drive back to the hostel, we managed to drag a few chairs from the lounge into the creek to chill our aching feet.  Maple Leaf and her dog, Yankee joined us for some foot therapy. 

The day was topped off with another fabulous dinner prepared by Jodie at Rock ‘n Sole. There were three additional men joining us for dinner tonight, so the testosterone levels are starting to return to normal. 

We did get laundry, showers, and a small resupply done along the way. We haven’t actually packed up yet, but there’s not a big hurry for tomorrow. It’s only 14.5 miles to Port Clinton so we’ll be able to get everything done in the morning and still get in at a decent time. We’ve only got 986 miles to go and this trail will be in the bag. The trail is practically walking itself these days. 

EFG