Date: 2003-08-11
From: Harper's Ferry

To: North to Pa.
Miles today: 0.0

Start Harpers Ferrydestination north to Pa. We checked out of the motel and I dropped Mudbutt off at Key's Gap on the trail. She was determined to hike into Harper's Ferry before we left. I was having difficulty finding the trail and several stops for directions proved useless. I decided to try one more time and pulled into a service station before I realized it was closed down. There was a sign on the building that sent both of us into hysterical laughter. It said, "No peeing in the parking lot!!" We were dumb founded. I found the trail shortly after that and sent Mudbutt on her way. Back in town I went to the library to check on some of our hiking friends through the internet. One by one they are beginning to summit Mt.Katahdin. I am somewhat envious of them and wonder if my time will ever come. After checking several trail journals, I found myself with still more time on my hands. There was not a line for the computors, so I downloaded Spider Solitaire and was having great fun playing when the librarian came up and asked me if I had read the internet agreement. "Well, of course I read it.", I said. Then she asked me if I remembered the statement about games not being allowed on the computors. I didn't remember that, because I had really not read the agreement. Not to be singled out for my naughty behavior, I asked how come Barney games were on the computor if playing games was not allowed. She said because Barney was educational. "Well."I said, "Solitaire is a game of strategy and very educational." She didn't buy it and I reluctantly shut the game down. She was quick to tell me that she wasn't monitoring me or anything, she just happened to look at the screen when she went by. Yeah, okay. I spent the rest of the time writing postcards to my friends back home letting them know I am finally out of the state of Virginia. Mudbutt arrives at the ATC Center and we get our pictures taken and put in the hiker's book. We are thru hikers #739 and 740. There have been 1789 hikers that started from Springer. The numbers may be off somewhat because not every hiker signs in at Springer Mtn. We get into my car and head north. It feels very strange to have a car at my disposal, but I enjoy the freedoms immensely. Freedom to have a soft drink on demand, or eat where ever we want to. We are a spoiled generation, with so many choices at hand. Yet, it seems as if we are never satisfied with what we have, we are always searching for more. Mudbutt needs to find a payphone to call home. It seems as if pay phones are becoming more and more obsolete. I finally find a phone at a small country service station. One of those places where the local guys hang out. I walk inside to find the ladies room while Mudbutt uses the phone. I am told the restroom is in the corner. I walk over to the corner and find a door that says "Men" on it. I turn to the man at the desk and ask him if there is a womans room. He says no. I turn and go into the mens room. When I come out a few minutes later there are 3 good old country boys looking at me like I was a ghost. I smiled broadly and said "Thank you Sir" and walked out. The man grined at me, then said, "You are welcome....Mam." He stressed the "mam" I laughed as I shared the story with Mudbutt. I told her they were lucky I didn't go in the parking lot, after seeing the sign down the road. We stopped in Wilkes Barre, Pa. for the night. Another good night's sleep for us!!