Date: 2008-07-11
From: Snickers Gap

To: Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 19.3
Weather: clear sky

What a day! We got an early start to the trailhead and I started walking under bright and sunny skies. Marie then drove up to Harpers Ferry for her hike back to me. The trail started out kind of tough, since I was at the tail end of the Roller Coaster which I started yesterday. After about 5 miles things settled down and I started to cruise. The trail was very rocky in stretches. A hint of what is to come for those who continue north into Pennysylvania. Views were limited, but I really didn't care since I was completely focused on getting to Harpers Ferry. Water was also scarce. Not a single source of water directly on the trail was flowing. The 6 year drought has definitely had an affect here. I could have gone an extra mile off trail to get water, but I certainly did not want to add another mile to a 19 mile day. Plus, that would have delayed my arrival. The 1000 mile point of the trail was marked with medium sized rocks carefully arranged on the ground to spell out the number 1000. Pretty cool. Marie walked in 6 miles today to meet me and then dragged me the last 6 miles into town. I really wasn't emotional at that point, more numb than anything else. I was just so tired. Fatigue had definitely gotten a hold of me. I just wanted to get this done (plus we were a bit thirsty because of the lack of water). Then I started to hear the highway and all those positive vibes I have gotten each and every time I had reached another town or milestone began to win me over. I knew that the end was very near and it gave me a boost of energy. Coming down the mountain and seeing the Shenandoah River was awesome! It is a broad and beautiful river with really interesting rocks than cut across the channel and create these little islands. Looks like a fun river to kayak. The locals were taking advantage of the sandy beaches on the far side of the river and spending the day swimming in the shallows on what turned out to be a pretty hot day. Normally I would have stopped for a dip, but not now when I am only a mile from the end of a thousand mile journey. We walked across the highway bridge over the river and up the hill into town. Three or four blocks later I was standing in front of the Appalacian Trail Conservancy Headquarters and I was done. I didn't cheer, scream, or do the moonwalk. I just let out an audible sigh of relief. Inside I announced my arrival to the staff and they took my picture for the record. They have a book of all those who have made it this far. I am number 612 for this year. Not bad since several thousand start each year and don't make it this far. We hung around for a while and talked to the other hikers who were hanging out in the back room. As usual, the chatter was lively and friendly. The commaraderie between those hiking the trail is a big part of what you experience on the A.T. Then we decided it was time to get in the car and drive back home. I couldn't help but notice the hustle and bustle on the highway. Everyone was in a big hurry to get to where they were going. Few were using their turn signals. People were phoning and driving and without thought or consideration cutting each other off as they changed lanes. I watched and thought that all of these folks needed some time off to slow themselves down and enjoy the present moment. They could learn a thing or two on the trail about how to treat others and obtain a fresh appreciation for what they have in life. I know I have.