Date: 2003-06-03
From: Blackburn Center

To: ATC Headquarters
Miles today: 11.9

What a nice bunkhouse, it was toasty while the woodstove was still burning, but got chilly when it went out. After a nice nights sleep, we all got up and packed for the day (a rainy one was the forecast). We left Blackburn Center and headed up the steep, rock step, trail back to the AT. There was a very slight drizzle, but we opted for no rain gear to stay cool. We had the 1,000 mile mark and Harper¢s Ferry on our minds, so we cruised the first 3 miles in just under an hour¢¦ Wow¢¦After a short stop at the David Lesser Memorial Shelter, we were on our way. We passed the newlyweds (5 months) Josh and Alicia just before the 1,000 mile mark and when we hit the mark we yelled, high-fives and hugged. This was pretty funny, picture two stinky, sweaty, wet, hikers with packs on and poles hanging from their wrists hugging¢¦.clink..bump..pat..Hug¢¦WE¢RE 1,000 MILERS!!! YAHOO!!! Now the hard part, get to Harper¢s Ferry¢¦ All that was on our minds was a shower and clean clothes (and food). We average about 2.5 miles per hour to Harper¢s Ferry, even over the crappy rock pile of a trail that tried to derail us, and the rain that tried to drown us (still no rain gear). We were tired, fatigued, out of gas (only 1 snack break to get to the Appalachian Trail Conference (ATC) headquarters building¢¦ we were stumbling, stomachs growling, drenched, but ever moving forward, until we finally crossed the Shenandoah River and hiked into ATC. We walked in the door and were greeted by an ATC volunteer, then dried off and signed the register. As we looked up Jan (Liteshoe) was standing there. We had a stinky reunion, then got our pictures taken by the ATC sign for the ATC album (COOL!! Finally got there as a Thruhiker). We will take pictures there with Ted¢s flag tomorrow. While we were there a city school group (young kids) came in to learn about the AT. Jan led a show and tell about gear and the trail, and we all jumped in to answer questions during the Q & A period. We were shown off as 2 fresh-of-the-trail thru-hikers (Wench and I). Smell and all! Cool! An amazing thing happened after that. I stepped on their scale in the ATC office (a doctor¢s scale, they say is accurate). I weighed 187, with my wet sneakers, socks, shorts, and shirt on. OH MY GOD!! That means I¢ve lost about 38 pounds so far, 11 since Roanoke. Hopefully part of that will come back after I drink water and eat a meal! I¢ll try it again tomorrow after a few meals. Speaking of which I went straight to a pizza place and ate a big spaghetti and meatball dinner and 2 orders of garlic bread. I felt much better. The back to the ATC to get my boxes (bounce and boots). Boots were not there yet, but probably will be there tomorrow. I¢ll check when I go back to use the scale. The we walked to the Hilltop Hotel to get a room (walked in a down pour), shower and relax for awhile. Since Shari is in California and can¢t mail my drop box to Harper¢s Ferry I¢ll have to go over the list with her, see what I need and have it sent to Duncannon PA, along with my new pack waist belt ( I lost weight, the old one is almost too big) and whatever else I think of. I still can¢t believe I¢ve hiked over 1,000 miles. My brother was funny when I called last night. I must have reminded him of Forest Gump, he said Run, Forest, Run (must be my long hair, beard, and thinner body). I¢m running (hiking) to Maine and I really feel I can do it! I just need to keep a positive attitude. Wench has been a big part of me hiking the trail as far/fast as I have She pushes me to do/hike more than I thought I could pushing my limits (within reason) and showing me what I am able to do. Very Cool! Of course she brings out the worst in me too. I always seem to be near her when I fall. We just came back from dinner, I¢m trying to put weight back on¢¦I had a salad, bread and butter, 2 bottles of Guinness, pork tenderloins, green beans, baked potato with sour cream and butter. Now that should put a pound or two back on. Now I need to relax and get some rest, let my body heal for the next leg of the trip.