Date: 2017-05-19
From: Harper's Ferry, WV

To: Rocky Run Shelter, MD
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: light rain

I left West Virginia today and I was happy to do so. Not many miles in WV and most are centered in Harper's Ferry. I redid a few miles that I did going to the side trail to the ATC headquarters on Wednesday and then the trail continued to follow just below the town. I saw Jefferson Rock where Thomas Jefferson described what he thought of the Potomac River when he saw it for the first time. The view from here was very nice. Later the armory superintendent ordered red sandstone pillars put under the rock before the rock fell and hurt people living below. The trail then dumped me at the end of old town and I will admit from here until I got on the C&O Canal Towpath, I had a bit of trouble following the trail. It would show a double blaze, but I'd look every direction trying to find which way I was supposed to go and never seemed to find a blaze. I always think when there is a double blaze, there should be another blaze within view to show which direction to go. Today, I'd wander around until I found one. Drove me crazy this morning. I crossed the Potomac River on a different bridge that also takes trains across. Hikers and bikers have their own side, it's not like we have to walk on the train tracks. The views from the bridge were nice and I was happy no trains came by while I was on the bridge.  I then followed the C&O Canal Towpath for a couple miles. I had the railroad tracks and a stagnant canal on one side (read loud trains and mosquito breeding ground) and the lovely Potomac River on the other. The Towpath was quite busy with bicycles and day hikers out on a beautiful Friday morning. I saw a heron hanging out on a boulder jutting out of the water. Cool birds.Although I didn't see a sign, I think I entered Maryland shortly after I left the Towpath. I've completed 5 of the 14 states that the AT goes through. I'm booking now. LolI finally started climbing away from Harper's Ferry, but the sounds of US340 would stay with me most of the morning. The climb out of town was not to bad and I was making good time. I took a side trail to Weverton Cliffs to get one more look at the Potomac River. There was a couple at the rocks when I arrived having a little make out session. They obviously wanted the place to themselves, but I found a spot away from them to enjoy some sunshine and my morning snack. The traffic noise was still extremely loud with trucks making a tremendous amount of noise climbing up mountains. I didn't stay long, but I did like the view.  I continued the climb, but I must say it was fairly easy. Once I reached the top, the trail mostly leveled off. Around lunchtime, I arrived at the Gathland State Park. Nifty little park. It has the unused tomb of a guy named Gath, he was buried elsewhere when he died. It also has a War Correspondents Memorial and many information signs pertaining to the civil war. I had planned on having a long lunch break, but I left when all the other backpackers and day hikers left, because one guy hanging out there gave me a bad vibe. I always go with what my gut feelings are about people. Great state park though and I was able to dump my lunch trash and fill up on water. Always a plus.As I was leaving the state park, I saw some Mountain Laurel blooming. Most are still in the bud stage, but a few had opened. The buds remind me of the sugar decorations people used to decorate their birthday cakes with when I was little.  I had another stopping point with a nice view and another couple was there. I found a spot to have my afternoon snack and enjoy more sunshine, but didn't stay long as I wasn't enjoying their conversation.  There was one more stop called Lambs Knoll with a tower. I was thinking tower I could climb and see nice views, but it was a cell phone tower. I'm not sure why I was thinking viewing tower. Haha. I arrived at the shelter I wanted to spend the night very early. In Maryland, the hikers are required to stayed at shelters and designated campsites. I could have made the next shelter, but I would have had to bypass the Washington Memorial and I want to spend some time there. So here I am at the Rocky Run Shelter. Beautiful shelter with nice shiny floors and windows. It also has several tent spots with benches. I really like these benches and could get used to them really fast. The last shelter in Virginia had them as well. They provide a nice place to sit, filter water, cook dinner and write my journal in comfort.  My tent site has many mountain laurel bushes blooming behind it. This is a very pretty place to spend the night.  I feel like I am walking towards Mark in this section as I will be meeting up with him next Friday. I can't wait to see him!