Date: 2012-06-05
From: Potomac River - WV/MD

To: Dahlgren Backpack Campground - Tented
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 72 - Tuesday, June 5thHiking Days 42 / Nero Days 11 /  Zero Days 4 / Off Trail Days 15Start Location: Potomac River - WV/MD - Harpers Ferry - MD BorderMile Marker: 1017.5 (2011=1015.2 add 2.3)Ending Location: Mile Marker: 1034.4Time: 6h 14min Miles: 16.9Weather: Weather is pleasant.  Mountain fog is burning off. Temps are much like when I got off trail just over two weeks ago.  15 days off ... What an interesting period of time. The day remained cooler.  63 as a high. 43 expected as a low for tonight. My evening last night was relaxing.  Spent four hours in the lounge car.  Brought a bit of scotch for the trip.  Went back to my seat at 11 eastern time losing one hour from Chicago time.  Tried to sleep but forget that concept.  Isle seat.  Train shaking.  Squeaking.  And I don't have to be in a shelter to be with snorers.  Have one right next to me.  How special. The lounge car opens at six for coffee.  Was there pretty much as it opened.  Amtrak employees are always so engagingly friendly (not at all .. Good luck with this government run health care plan idea.  Anyone who wants it never rode an Amtrak.)The two donuts I bought at the station yesterday did not fare well after I used my pack as a foot rest last night.  But in hiker fashion, I did not waste any of it.  It will be all I eat until I start hiking.  It's now 7:00.  I'm very tired.  Train seems to be on time so I suspect I will be back on the trail in about four hours.  Planning a 16 mile day, getting a good nights sleep, then into the Free State Hiker Hostel. After loosening up my legs for two shorter days, I'll try to kick back in the 25+/- mile hiking days.  Although I'm currently very tired from no sleep last night, I'm excited to be going back to trail life for a bit more time.  When I got back, I was unable to locate the remaining 2012 guide pages.  I have a 2011 book so I am going to use that if I decided not to get a 2012 book along the way.  Will make adjustments as I am aware of the 2012 modifications. Well my quart of chicken fried rice that I ate yesterday certainly made its presence known.  A lot of fun while in a train.  Better then a plane, I guess.  Then it hit me.  I did not remember seeing any toilet paper in my pack.  So now I know why I had an extra roll while I was preparing my mail-drops.  Oh well.  Spun some off the roll on the train which will last until I can get some elsewhere.  Also, when I went to brush my teeth, no brush or paste.  I suspect they are in my mail drop so I just won't brush for another day.  When I went to lift my pack I thought it was heavier then I remembered it.  I opened it up to repack it and found the large grapefruit I put in it yesterday.  One more breakfast item.  Add that to the two smashed donuts and two cups of coffee and I had a reasonable start to my day. As it turned out, the train was right on time.  Pulled in at 10:55.  Got out, put on my jacket since it was a bit chilly and away I went.  Started down the old canal tow path.  The days hike was rather easy and uneventful.  My right knee was twanging even before I started the climb.  As the day wore on, my feet were hurting a bit along with just general aches and pains.  Took a few ibuprofens and all was good.  The trail seems to be very quiet.  Came across a few hikers at the first shelter.  One guy left Harpers today as well. He was number 364.  Only two weeks ago I was 169.  Hit where I was going to stay at 5:00.  Just too early so I went an extra 1.7, just because.  My legs are feeling the time off. A 17 mile day is a good start.  I was also a bit dizzy, mostly early on.  I think this was an adjustment to me wearing prescription glasses while I was off trail and not wearing glasses on the trail.  This will be gone in a day or so.  I rolled each ankle once.  Rolled rather far but both are fine.  A shorter day tomorrow to the hostel.  Will pick up my mail-drop of the smaller items I did not need today.  If my body does not show any effects of the time off I will add miles quickly.  I am tired and want to be in my tent by 8:00.  I need the sleep after zero sleep last night.  Day one back on the trail.  Not too bad.