Date: 2005-06-25
From: Harper's Ferry

To: Garvey
Miles today: 6.4
Weather: clear sky

Guess what. I have now hiked approximately a 1,016 miles! I have walked over ONE THOUSAND miles. I am just about at the half-way mark! Can you believe it! I told my feet they were almost half-way this morning, but they just whined and glared at me as they pointed out their callouses and numbness in a couple of toes. They've always been whiners.Georgia ran me to the grocery store this morning and then brought me back to Harper's Ferry this morning. She is the best! I'd not seen her in several years, and it was good to touch base.As we drove into town we saw Jack-a-roo walking with a big box, and stopped and gave him a ride to the ATC. We chatted with Bassline briefly out front and then headed over to the hotel. Georgia dropped me off, and I headed upstairs to split my food. I had decided to only carry four days of food, and was sending the other half up the line to pick-up at the South Mountain, PA.I checked out, and headed for the post office. As I headed past the ATC, I saw Rising Phoenix, Mother, Whitwater, and Nurse Ratchet. Rising Phoenix was no longer hiking and had her car. They asked me if I wanted to go to breakfast, and I'm guessing you know the answer. I won't go into the size of breakfast. I'll just say Belgian Waffle with several side dishes and whipped cream.   Yummmmm.....We all had errands, including the PO, and we finally made it back to the ATC where I had left my pack around one o'clock. I took off in about 30 minutes. Later, and as I came around the corner, I ran into Litmus and Cricket coming back from DC. They were going to leave late and do the 4 state challenge. It involves hiking across the 4 states of VA, WV, MD, and PA within 24 hours. It is 42 miles and most hikers that do it start around mid-night. My feet hate me enough. I would never subject the tootsies to the testosterone challenge. Hats off and best wishes to those attempting it, though.I hiked along the CO canal watching the hundreds of tubers on the Potomac, and gazed at the largest poison ivy vines I had ever seen on either side of the path. Did I mention I have a fresh batch on my other leg now? Ugh....the stuff is brutal, and I attract it like a magnet. Quick poison ivy story......Indy walked into where I was having a second lunch yesterday with some other hikers. Bassline yelled "show her your stomach Indy." Indy is a nice, good looking guy around 22ish I guess. He lifted his shirt above his lower stomach and showed my just about the worst case of poison ivy I've ever seen all over his lower stomach, and what appeared further down.....yikes. He was past the ointment stage, and desperately needed some type of cortisone shots. He also had it all over his face.How he got it is really kinda funny, although I do feel badly for him. The summer slostice is also "hike naked day" on the trail. Some participate, I refrain. Indy elected to participate, and as he was hiking heard voices approaching. He reached out, grabbed a handful of leaves, and "covered the boys." Needless to say, "the boys" got covered with poison ivy. Ouch!!! :-). I know it sounds hard to believe, but I saw it with my own eyes. He looked really rough.I hiked the last 3 miles tonight with an older gentleman named Africa. Very interesting guy. We chatted a bit while we cimbed back up to the ridge. I camped a little early tonight, so I could finish up my journal entries. I only did 6.4 miles and my feet are already sore. I think the poor things are just getting a little worn. Oh well.....I'm caught up and off to bed. Sweet dreams.