Date: 2008-06-25
From: Shenandoah National Park

To: Next town for Euro 2008
Miles today: 192.0

308308. I'm the 308th person who has reached Harpers Ferry, WV and gotten their picture taken at the ATC (App. Trail Conference) headquarters. After having endured a horrible heat wave that made it impossible to be comfortable being in the shade for hours on end, a sea of ticks to constantly take off, and legs are were exhausted it was time for a vacation from my vacation. Off to DC and Baltimore then!I spent the next 9 days running around visiting old friends, walking through museums, attending a baseball game, playing at the beach, and of course watching Euro Cup 2008. This was not a resting vacation, but one of relentless activities because there is much to do and see before coming back to the green woods.When I boarded my train to head back into the woods I began writing furiously in my personal journal all the crazy antics and memories made. I wasn't nearly done when it was time for me to get off the train, so I had my "last supper" of burger, beer, and fries in Harpers Ferry before I started up again that night.When I was finished it was nearly 8pm and dark clouds were slowly taking over the blue sky that was left for the day. I put on my radio, and the only station I received played country greatest hits. As irony would have it, the first song played was "Thunder Rolls" by Garth Brooks. After walking for a few minutes the thunder grew louder and louder and I knew that I was about to get soaked. Once the first few drops came down instead of just putting on my pack cover, I decided to take off all my clothes since this was just a summer storm and getting wet was no big deal. This was West Virginia though, and not the liberal setting of Black Rock City, so I did keep the "essentials" on.The surge of liberation I felt was fantastic as thunder and lightning was occurring all around me. As I passed underneath a bridge, I saw another hiking sitting down playing the flute. I'm sure I surprised her as I came upon her. Being off the trial for several days you run into completely new people, and new people mean new personalities to get to know.It was nearing 9pm and I still had a few miles left to go, so I say my good-bye and kept hiking. I've done several night hikes without a headlamp, so I surprised another hiker during my climb up the mountain. As we started talking, we could hear the next storm coming. Gaining elevation, the thunder became louder and the lightening light up the surrounding woods as the daylight was almost gone.By the time I reached the shelter, my essentials were soaking wet and everyone else was already asleep, so I slept on the deck (this was a very luxurious shelter). Before going asleep, I shared the Jack Daniels I was carrying with the two new hikers I met...after all we survived two storms and hikes a rocky trail. As I was trying to fall asleep that night, I saw the moon come out, stars overhead, and thought about the fact that I woke up in a busy city and a different world.-----Now it's off to see Germany dominate against Turkey in the Euro Cup semifinals and hit the woods again. I have to be in the next town by 2:45 to see the next semifinal which should be a really good game between the Russians and Spaniards.