Date: 2014-06-30
From: Bears Den Hostel

To: Harpers Ferry,WV
Miles today: 20.5
Weather: light rain

We had big plans for the day and by days end wanted to be reach Harpers Ferry, WV. So our intentions of leaving early were derailed by the pancake breakfast that we had at the hostel. As the time grew later, we decided it would be better to slackpack the twenty miles into town so we could reach the Appalachian Trail Conservancy Headquarters which is in Harpers Ferry by closing time which according out guide book was five o'clock . The terrain is relatively flat after we finished up the remaining miles of the Roller Coaster.   The day was hot, the miles were long and time was short so we put a pep in our step. Water was scarce so we stopped at any and every water source we came across to help keep us somewhat hydrated. I didn't want to rush this and get to Harpers Ferry late because this was an important day for me and an important milestone for the trip. Harpers Ferry is located at the apex of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers so while coming down the mountain you see the river and bridge into town. We got to the Shenandoah bridge around 4:30 and had to walk across it in the blazing heat with cars passing by and wearily climbed the stairs to finally get into town.    We stumbled into the ATC which welcomed us with air conditioning and a friendly staff and the news that they don't close until seven during the summer so we rushed for no reason,oh well. The tradition at the ATC is to get your picture taken in front of the ATC sign outside and they issue you what number thru hiker you are that came into Harpers Ferry and add the photo to the album of thru hikers. I've looked at so many of these pictures over the years and to be here taking my photo was an amazing feeling. I hiked 1,019 miles through five states to get here and I was feeling proud and after the photo, I got my number, I was the 941st thru hiker.   We hung out at the headquarters for awhile before the hunger took over and we went to get food. The town is a historic town and and a national park so the downtown portion still looked like it did during the Civil War era,it was a nice change of pace compared to the other towns the trail go through. We had some dinner at the Towns Inn and got a hotel room, considering how important this town is for the Appalachian Trail,it isn't the most hiker friendly with limited hostels and hotels and all out pretty pricey.    It was a long day but a worthwhile one. We're at the psychological midpoint of the trail and I'm feeling great. We officially finished Virginia, it took 38 days to travel the 500 miles and we never went through the so called 'Virginia Blues', we had some down says but we still hiked and got through it and am proud of this group for moving on and not giving up. It's a weird feeling knowing that the South is almost behind us and will soon be hiking through the states I've visited many times throughout my life. Through the first half of this trip, I have no regrets and this adventure is everything I've thought it would be and then some so I can't imagine what the second half has in store. There's only one way to find out, time to hike on.