Date: 2007-06-30
From: Harper's Ferry, WV

To: Harper's Ferry, WV
Miles today: 0.0

I woke up at the usual time this morning, but instead of the usual outdoor sounds, I heard something different. I heard the pitter patter, of footsteps made my two young children one floor above me. It was actually a nice way to wake up this morning. As I slowly climbed the stairs to the first floor, I could smell the strong aroma of fresh brewing coffee. As I walked into the kitchen, Mike and Leslie said good morning and their two young daughters, Polly and Virginia, both ran over to me and hugged me. I was amazed. These little girls hardly knew me and yet were so affectionate and loving. I thought this was a real tribute to their parents and how they have raised these girls. I really felt welcomed here.Snake and Slick eventually woke up, and we all gravitated out to the deck to drink coffee and talk about the days plans. In addition to the usual post office visit, and food re-supply, we also needed to stop by the ATC office to fullfill a thru hiker tradition. Each thru hiker passing through Harpers Ferry, stops in at the ATC office to have a polaroid photo taken of them. This photo is then documented with information such as the current date, thru hike start date, name, address, trail name, etc. A number is then recorded on the photo, which designates where you are in terms of the number of thru hikers that have currently passed through Harpers Ferry. The photo is then placed in a photo album for the current year's class of thru hikers. So this is something all thru hikers do. A sort of thru hiker right of passage.I also had planned to meet my friend Bob, for lunch in Harpers Ferry. Bob, who had previously moved from CT to VA was close to Harpers Ferry and wanted to try to meet me here. So I arranged to meet him today at the post office. With all that we needed to do today, it was going to be difficult coordinating transportation from Mike and Leslie's house to and around Harpers Ferry. Incredibly enough, Mike and Leslie solved the problem, by loaning us one of their vehicles for the day. So Snake, Slick, and I drove into Harpers Ferry and made our first stop at the post office. I picked up three packages. One was my bounce box which I forwarded home, since I don't need it any more. The second package was from my son Jesse (Wooly Bear). It made me smile as I opened it. In addition to a really nice card, there was a box of Caribou Coffee bars. During the two weeks Jesse hiked with me, this was our favorite re-supply snack. The third box was from a friend of our neighbors, who has been following my journal. Her name is Joan Fletcher, and she sent quite a few goodies. In the box were brownies, cookies, trail mix, and many other items. I was really amazed at what she sent me. Thanks so much, Julie, Jesse, and Joan! I put my packages in the car and Snake and Slick drove off to take care of their errands as I waited for Bob. He arrived a few minutes later and we went downtown to a restaurant called the Secret Six, which is a reference to the six men who helped finance John Browns raid on the Harpers Ferry Armory. We ate outside on the deck overlooking the Potomac River, and caught up on some lost time. After lunch, Bob showed me around Harpers Ferry. The sights and history here are really impressive and quite interesting. I wish I had more time to absorb it all.Bob evenually dropped me off at the ATC office, where I took care of the photo tradition and waited for Snake and Slick. After they picked me up, we stopped at a shopping mall to re-supply, and then headed back to Charles Town, to Mike and Leslie's house.Mike and Leslie, again, prepared a real feast for us this evening. Tortellini and tomato sauce, an assortment of grilled vegetables, corn on the cob and Texas toast. And of course we kept their beer tap flowing. It was a really nice dinner, and after Leslie eventually went to bed (she's on the thru hiker bedtime schedule, which we skipped tonight), Mike, Snake, Slick and I talked quite a bit and continued to sample more of Mike's 60 minute IPA into the late hours.A really GREAT day off the trail!