Derrick Earls, More Heart than Scars tackle the AT together and in Spirit!: Day 70, July 24, 2014

My new hiking partner is Yukon. He is my brother already! We both know we are able to work well as a team and motivate one another to the finish line!

Our boots were soaked and our dry socks became wet instantly.

I finished the day with my toes rubbed raw from the friction of wet socks and boots. My toes are now swollen!

It's all worth it! Yukon my fellow brother stayed true to me! He promised he would do everything possible to have a lady named Cindy who lived near Port Clinton take care of me as well! He made it happen. This was one amazing experience I received.

Her husband Todd picked us up from a beer and wing restaurant.

The restaurant experience prior to Todd's arrival. I had a yeungling, water and refused to buy food. The bartender was completely disrespectful to us and gave other locals better service than us hikers. They received the menus first and beers first after we had already ordered. A thru hiker did mention we are further north and I do need to work on comprehending I am not in the south anymore, but this lady was sarcastic to us, and clearly used her manners with other customers and not us. If you stereotype me based on other thru hikers I have no tolerance for treating other thru hikers with disrespect. I have no tolerance for rude behavior towards others in general.

I arrived at Cindy's house. I quickly learned she was a writer for a magazine, a extremely connected women in the hiking world, and a fighter for our US troops returning from war. Her husband a blacksmith, chainsaw wood carver, carpenter, farmer, painter, etc.

They shared baked zeti with meatballs, bread, cucumber salad and gave us four options for ice cream. They gave us a bath and bed to sleep on. I am HUMBLED!

They built a beautiful log cabin for a minimal amount of money compared to buying a house on the US housing market. How? Self sufficiency. Everything is recycled and done by theirselves. This place is a comparison to my future. More to come tomorrow.

Zach Adamson, ex-ranger who served on Yukon's team passed in January on US soil. Zach thru hiked the AT for one of his ranger comrades in the Iraqi war who wanted to hike the AT. Unfortunately, he passed in his first mission. Zach completed the AT for his buddy Eric upon returning from your. My buddy Yukon is hiking now for Zach and himself. Zach lost his life in January of 2014z They held an unbelievable Memorial Day service on McAfee Knob. Yukon raised enough money for Zach's family to fly out and cover all expenses. Zach's monument maybe found at Four Pines Hostel in the future. What a story and I'm proud to be a part of Yukon's hike/experience. Unfortunately I cannot place this experience in words. I am speechless and will share photos instead. I teared up today as I read Zach's story and further comprehended the brotherhood our military is honored to carry. I am honored to hike with Yukon! Truly honored!!

I will continue to share through photos this awesome experience!