Date: 2014-05-28
From: Teahorse Hostel

To: Zero Day 06: Harpers Ferry, WV
Miles today: 0.9

Much needed rest day after conquering Virginia. Woke in the morning to delicious waffles made by Laurel - free with the hostel stay! Everyone sat around and chatted before heading out to do their thing - nice breakfast!A little bit more about the hostel. It is set up with bunks in the upper level with ten bunks in the blue room and four bunks in the pink room. A common area is set up with a kitchen and couches and many maps on the walls. The lower level houses the laundry, Laurel's home, and the community computer. A neat setup!While waiting for the bus out to Walmart, we walked the AT down to the Lower Town and saw many sights. Walked passed Jefferson Rock with its sandstone supports so it does not fall and damage anything. Saw the ruins of an old church that did not survive the Civil War. Walked through the lower part of town past John Brown's little fort (smaller than I expected) and out to The Point where the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers come together. So much history in this little town!We walked back up to the ATC Headquarters and waited for the bus to Walmart. Picked up all our groceries and then returned to the hostel to sort things out. Saw monks or friars in Wal-mart getting supplies for something - their abbey or monastery I guess. Completely random to see them there in their traditional garb and I imagined this conversation:Monk 1: Brother Maynard did you pick up the St. Francis Holy Water?Monk 2: They were out of stock Brother John. But I did find Nabisco brand wafers!Monk 1: Well...I guess you will have to grab the Great Value brand water - now everything will only be half-blessed... While Dad went to the post office to mail some things back, Uncle Dale arrived at the hostel - great to see him! We walked down to the Lower Town and ate at Hannah's BBQ which resides in an old train car - a neat little restaurant with good food.From there we walked around the town a little bit with him and walked over the footbridge to the Maryland side - something we will do again when leaving tomorrow! Stopped by the ATC Headquarters again and saw that Chocolate and Cheese arrived into Harpers Ferry today! We rested at the hostel for a bit then drove out to the Harpers Ferry Visitor Center and then to Bolivar Heights - a battlefield for the area in 1862. This area is so rich in history I will probably have to come back again!Dinner with Uncle Dale and Fritz at the Anvil Restaurant two houses down from the hostel - great food and conveniently located. Enjoyed the meal and the company and then Uncle Dale had to return home - so glad that my godfather could come out and see us during our hike!Rested at the hostel while Big Dawg grabbed some drinks at the Anvil - I stopped by and saw he found Dirty Harry and Fran! They had just arrived in town at six pm and it was great catching up with them before they returned to their hotel.More work on the journals in the hostel while talking with two gentleman doing a section hike from Pen-Mar Park to Harpers Ferry. Both were from Missouri and had a lot of questions about thru-hiking and then we talked about the Air Force Museum in Dayton - such a great museum!After seeing the Pacers win the game, retired to prepare for departure tomorrow. Wheels up at 8 am!