Date: 2018-07-15
From: Harpers Ferry, WV

To: Andreas Pennsylvania 
Miles today: 229.0
Weather: broken clouds

Before returning to the trail after reaching Harpers Ferry, I took the train into Washington, D.C. for the first D.C. visit of my life.  I was waiting for the train when an announcement was made that the train would not be coming.  Luckily a couple there took me to Brunswick, W.V. to catch the train there instead.  Upon reaching D.C., I was instantly struck by the immense contrast from what I had been experiencing on the trail.  The first thing I noticed, and was a bit taken back by, was the overwhelming population of homeless individuals.  The comedic part of this situation was that I fit right in with them, as I had just come off the trail.  However, to see so many homeless in our nation's capitol, arguably the economic capitol of the world, seemed like an ironic joke.  Within 10 minutes of stepping off the train, I missed the woods.  I was also grateful to have been raised in the rural environment of the mountains of North Carolina.  Although suffering from a bit of culture shock, I did enjoy my time.  I was greeted by some friends of mine and we enjoyed the sights D.C. had to offer, including the monuments, zoo, and Natural History Museum.  It was also nice to get up with some old friends.  Thank you Lori for all that you did for me/us during our time there.  When it came time to hop a train back to Harpers Ferry, my childhood buddy Chris Ray joined me with plans to hike along for a few days.  We started by hiking through the historical section of Harpers Ferry, which was AWESOME.  And as soon as we made it through the town, we were greeted by individuals welcoming us to Maryland.  Maryland was definitely a pleasant surprise with consistent access to its own state parks, monuments, moderate terrain, nice views, and very friendly locals.  It also served as a preview for what we would be experiencing in Pennsylvania, as Maryland had its fair share of rocks.  Shortly after reaching Pennsylvania, Chris left trail and I was left to march on my own.  Later that evening, the temperatures peaked at 105 degrees and stayed there for about a week.  I have learned that nothing slows us down like the heat.  The heat requires more stops for water, more stops for breaks, and more stops to simply avoid the high temperatures.  We hike earlier in the morning, find a place to hide during the peak hours, then continue our hike until late into the night.  But, as things usually do on the trail, things seem to work out.  On the first hot day, I came across Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania, where 1000s of gallons a minute of spring water bubbles from the ground at a consistent 48-50 degrees with easy swimmer access.  This was a very pleasant experience.  Definitely my favorite Pennsylvania feature.  The next day, I was able to take a dip in the Susquehanna River to avoid some of the heat.  The next day, we received 1-3 inches of rain (depending where we were) and were actually battling floods in addition to the heat.  One evening, I actually had to hike 2 miles in ankle deep water, making for a long day, but at least we were cool.  The heat finally broke, and I reached my extraction point to take a few days off and visit some of my family.  Having only 50 more miles of Pennsylvania, the state has definitely left its mark.  Some sections of the trail in this state have been the easiest so far, yet some have also been the most tedious.  What they say about the trail in Pennsylvania is true ("Rocksylvania").  The terrain has been so rocky and difficult I wore out a pair of boots, broke a trekking pole, and have been subjected to rattlesnakes EVERYWHERE.  Seeing as I have only taken one day off in the last 750 miles of trail, I was due for a little break.  My feet were swollen and sore, my gear needed some repairs, and my spirit replenished through some R and R and family visitations.  I currently have 50 miles left of Pennsylvania (thank goodness), then I will be entering New Jersey then, shortly after, New York.  Although my time in P.A. has been challenging, I have been showered in love by consistent trail magic, friendly locals, and a great week of time with family.  I will individually thank those who have helped me along the way upon my completion, but I feel I must give an early thanks to each of you that have helped me so much lately.  You know who you are, and I thank you so much.  My journey so far would not have been quite the success it has been so far, and will not be quite the success that I know it will be without all of your help.  My appreciation is of the highest.  Thank you all, and I love you very much.  I also want to explain how things work on the trail from a social aspect, as this is a major part of the experience that is hard to relay through pictures.  Everyone on the trail is just as stinky, wore out, and hairy as the next.  There is no impressing one another through social status, shallow physical attributes, fancy clothes, or material possessions.  On trail, there is no hiding all of our faults, pride goes out the window, and respect is given to each as we know what everyone else is experiencing.  It is literally "soul" 24/7.  Because of this, you REALLY get to know people in a very short amount of time.  There aren't too many other experiences which keeps you surrounded by the same people for days at a time in intimate conversation and proximity.  I feel as if you get to know someone within days on the trail in a way that may take several months in the "real world".  This leads to significant connections with other hikers, regardless of age, gender, race, etc.  One duo I hiked with for several days included a 50 year old Caucasian man (former military), and a 25 year old multiracial "kid".  For whatever reason, these two became the best of friends on the trail, as was evident after only hiking with them for a few hours.  Their friendship continues as they continue to hike together.  The social aspect of the trail has truly restored my faith in humanity.  Since most people on the trail are fulfilling their own agenda, it is difficult to keep up with other hikers for too long a time period, so you are constantly greeting and leaving others, creating a consistent bitter sweet social environment.  The best part about all of this is when you unintentionally bump into a hiker way down trail that you may have not seen in several hundred miles.  It is like being reunited with an old friend, a fantastic feeling.  Now that I have been off for a week, the chances of me bumping into familiar hikers are very slim, unless of course they have done the same.  However, I am confident that I will meet and establish other connections with other hikers from here until finish, as again, it is 100% soul on the trail.  After a solid week of rest, I am ready to tackle my last leg of the trail (945 more miles).  I have reached significant milestones (official halfway point, 1200 miles, etc) and am excited to continue. I am thinking about each of you and am carrying you with me.  Again, thank you and I love you all.