Date: 2005-06-20
From:  Dahlgren Back Pack campground

To: Ensign Cowall Shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: light rain

Had a hard time getting going today. We started at 11am this morning. Of course we were the last to leave, and we were bypassed by many who had stayed at the shelter 2-3 miles back.Today was hot, and we hiked. Not too many memorable moments throughout the morning. As we passed over I-70, we quickly realized that the chances of us making it to the post office in Smithsburg were quite slim. Bug's new pack was there waiting and we had just a few hours to travel the 8 miles. We decided it would be best to split up for the afternoon hike in order to get there on time. Bug can hike at a much faster pace than I can.I told Bug to hike ahead and if I could keep up---great, if not I would meet him at the shelter just beyond the road to Smithsburg. He hiked on ahead, and I continued on at my usual pace, just trying not to stop. Once I reached the side trail to Annapolis Rocks, I sat for a brief moment to eat afternoon snacks. Although I could have stayed much longer, I found it wasn't much fun to be there by myself. I listened to the Beatles on the IPOD throughout the day's hike to try to make the day go quicker. People have said that Maryland is possibly the easiest state on the trail, but I would beg to differ. It could be that I was hiking alone and the day seemed to drag on, but I walked through a long section where it was extremely rocky...so much so I had the desire to sit down and cry. I didn't however, and hiked until I saw a nice log to sit a spell and review the data book. Before I knew it, the road was in sight. As I approached, I saw what looked to be a tired and dejec! ted Bug sitting on the side of the road. Sure enough, he was sitting there, still trying to hitch the 2.5 miles into town. He had been there for well over 40 minutes when I arrived. We decided to walk towards town, in hopes that someone might stop (we still had about 15 minutes before the PO closed), and if not we could always stealth camp and go to the PO in the morning. For those unfamiliar with the term---stealth camping is simply camping at an unofficial campsite or where you really aren't supposed to. As we hiked down the road many cars passed us by, but finally a kind gentleman in an SUV stopped and told us to hop on in. He gave us a ride into town and we exchanged pleasantries along the way. He refused to take any gas money and said he was just glad he could help us out. We made it just in time to pick up Bug's pack and get the other mailed back. We don't think Smithsburg gets very many hikers since the postmaster knew exactly what package to bring, before Bug even told his name. She was very nice t! hough, and told us about the market across the way to get something to eat. As we were packing up the new one, we took the opportunity to charge the phone and IPOD for a bit. We then headed over to the market for dinner and a few groceries. While I was in the market shopping for a few items, Bug stayed with our packs outside.A man approached and asked him a few questions about our hike and continued into the store. The man made it back out of the store before me and proceeded to ask Bug if we needed a ride back to the trailhead, which Bug immediately agreed to. The man is a local boyscout leader and was headed to a weekly scout meeting that night.Once at the trailhead, it was only a short .2 mile to the shelter and we picked up water at the spring just prior. There we saw Patch, Fig & Just Visiting, Guidless, and the 2 brothers Mule & Sooper J. We felt really bad about it, but proceeded to eat our fried chicken with sides in front of them. Fig & Just Visiting didn't seem to mind and we had a great conversation with them, but Patch just continued to give us these pitiful puppy dog eyes.We obviously have to pack out our trash, but Bug and I would say it was worth it. We are now camped a couple hundred yards from the shelter for the night. It looks as though this will be our last night in Dixie for quite some time.