Date: 2014-06-02
From: Ensign cornwall shelter

To: Tumbling run shelter
Miles today: 18.1

In which ROCKS and BUGS describe the day in two words.First of all, let me set the record straight for all you future AT hikers out there. Virginia is not flat! There are many rocks on the trail. WV is also rocky, especially coming in to Harper's Ferry! It is a rock field to pick your way through. Maryland is flat and lovely for the first 2/3s of the state, then it becomes rocky with many ups and downs, foot turning, foot bruising, ankle twisting, tedious rocks! Whoever said Maryland was flat was wrong! Pennsylvania has the reputation for rocks! I wasn't expecting so many rocks here! They are everywhere and my feet hurt! They are burning as I write this, begging for mercy and awaiting the advil to kick in so I can repeat this abuse tomorrow!Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining (well maybe a little). Just making an observation and I really can't wait to see what tomorrow will bring.So, back to today. It has turned out to be a quiet hiking day but a very social evening. Dirty Harry and Fran are here. So is Loper who gave us some pizza at Pen Mar Park and I met Spiderman and ET from San Fransisco, CA. I haven't seen that many hikers at one shelter in quite a while. The trail has been a ghost town lately. No one's been out....so it's been really nice to cook and socialize around the campfire. This evening has flown by!This shelter is also the most beautiful shelter I've ever seen. It has two shelters, one for snorers and one for non-snorers. The group camping area has stony tent pads surrounding another fire pit and picnic table. There is cell service and most impressive is the privy with TP, air freshener and hand sanitizer. Such luxuries! I don't want to leave here! The river running through is likewise impressive and so refreshing for soaking my feet while I filtered water, from a separate pool of course.Ok, so rocks were what we battled all day and I'm tired of them already. My shoes are passed their prime and not made for these rocks. They just aren't doing the job hence very sore feet.And the bugs...they were abundant as well this afternoon and very persistent in their attacks, predominantly dive bombing the eyes, ears, and nose. They were indiscriminant and quite adept at being a nuisance. The bees and wasps were buzzing, gnats swarming everywhere and flies and mosquitos biting. There was a little something for everyone.My afternoon walk looked like this...I was walking down the rocky trail with my head down watching every foot placement while shaking my head back and forth using my ponytail as a fly swatter to ward off the bugs. I likewise am blowing air simultaneously out of my mouth and nostrils trying to blow away the gnats and bugs that were dive bombing my face. I was zig-zagging all over the trail unable to walk a straight line while trying to pull my buff down over my ears to keep the bugs from flying into them. I still could hear the mosquitos buzzing my ears trying to get through my buff. They are persistent little buggars! I am so over them!But all is well as it's been a lovely evening telling stories, sharing experiences, laughing and enjoying each other's company. I can't wait to do it all over again tomorrow! Now the whipporwill has begun to sing. I wonder how long that serenade will last? It's nine o'clock and I'm signing off. Good nite!One deer, one black snake and chipmunks were seen today.