Date: 2003-05-30
From: Harpers Ferry WV (Zero Hampton Inn Martinsburg)

To: Turners Gap (Hampton Inn Martinsburg)
Miles today: 17.5

Day 78 Avg Mls/Day 13.2Weather: Beautiful, sunny day. High temp around 80. Some clouds in afternoon.Today's Nature: Chipmunks scampering across the Trail.Today's hike started with the weather forecast. The original plan was that today would be a zero with Julia going home Saturday morning. Last night, all the TV forecasts said today would be nice and tomorrow strong thunder storms would move in.   When we got up at 6 this morning (well, I got up and woke up Julia), the forecasts didn't change. Julia wasn't anxious to drive home in the storms and I didn't want to hike in them either. So, Julia decided to stay an extra day and drive back Sunday.   I hiked today in the nice weather and will zero with Julia tomorrow in the rain. Just means another night in the hotel.The first thing I did was load up my backpack...that is a full pack including 3 days food. It felt considerably lighter than last week's.   The most help came from replacing the parka and carrying less water.Next, we went to Harpers Ferry and had breakfast at the Hilltop Hotel, a popular hotel with hikers. Julia then dropped me off at the point I got off the Trail when I hiked into town on Wednesday. The hike went well. Again, this was was part of the section I did SOBO last summer. The first 2.8 miles was the level C&O Canal Towpath. I can remember stopping along the canal last summer to rest several times in the 90 degree heat...limping into Harpers Ferry tired and weak.   On the other side of the path/trail is the Potomac. The climb to Weverton Cliffs was easy with gradual switchbacks. I stopped at Ed Garvey Shelter for a short break and to sign the register. It isone of the newer shelters on the Trail. I didn't stop at the next 2 shelters as they were off the Trail and I didn't want to take the time.The Trail goes through Gathland State Park at Crampton Gap. There, at about 1 o'clock, I took a half hour lunch at the picnic area with juice and soda vending machines. Only trouble, they were out of everything except orange juice. Across the road was a stone "arched" monument to civil war correspondents, I believe the only one ever to correspondents.   Along the Trail was civil war history and information signs describing battles that had taken place here. Side trails leading to more hostorical sites were all around.After the park, the Trail became annoying with rocks...for at least a few miles. After that it was easy hiking to the Dahlgren Back Pack Campground. It has showers, flush toilets, picnic tables and a nice grassy tenting area. One of a kind along the Trail.   The original plan was to camp here for the night. Right around the corner, is Turners Gap where Julia and Casey were waiting.Another good thing came from the hike today. I wore the new LL Bean boots to break them in. Even though they were 10 1/2's like the Asolo's, I learned they were not wide enough. I'm going to try to wear the Asolo's through the Pennslyvania rocks and replace them with a new pair.We went back to the hotel where I showered and we then went out to Ryan's AYCE buffet.Tomorrow, I'll make a final visit to the ATC Headquarters, stop at the library and go through my supplies and pack.Thought for the Day: Here comes the Sun...for at least one day.