Date: 2005-05-30
From: Harpers Ferry

To: David Lesser Shelter
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: few clouds

Today it began. A day later than expected because the ATC headquarters had closed about an hour before my train arrived in Harpers Ferry. That¢s okay though, because I only would have gotten in a couple of miles and that would not have been enough to get me to the first shelter. I got a late start this morning as well, due to last minute pack adjustments and a wound that refused to stop bleeding. I have with me a razor for times when I want to look presentable in my shorts in town. Unfortunately I thought the Ziploc it was in was something else so I squeezed and pulled but the razor didn¢t budge. I didn¢t realize how bad it was until I found the large chunk of flesh still caught between the blades. For this reason the through hiker I met in D.C.¢s Union Station on the way to HF dubbed me Blade. It has potential but we¢ll see. He (Skeeter Feeder) has been really great to me. He¢s shown me all around Harper¢s Ferry and got me a great rate on a nice room in the Hilltop Hotel last night. This morning he walked with me to the trailhead to see me off.Since the airport lost my trekking poles I was searching for a qualifying branch or sapling lying along the path. Not more than a mile into the day I found myself a perfect walking stick, which must have had a previous owner who left it stranded up against a rock cliff among the trees. Because the tiny branch stems seem to have been whittled down and smoothed. I tied my black bandana to the end to keep the bugs out of my face as I walk. A few miles down the road I noticed the flag was missing so I set down my pack and backtracked. I was amazed at the speed I could move unencumbered. 40 lbs sure does make a difference. It's funny how I originally thought I could do what I can on a day hike with a small backpack. Luckily I found it about 12 mile away. Not too much later I heard the gentle, infrequent pitter-patter of oncoming rain. I put on my rain jacket and pack cover and took no more than 3 steps when I heard a roaring clash of thunder. I thought the preceding flash of light was my fumbling around trying to cover my pack and accidentally taking a picture. So, needless to say I was surprised. So much so that the first word spoken in 4 or 5 miles was a very loud profanity. Just then I heard voices from the trail ahead and I had to laugh. No doubt I had been heard. The couple commented and noted that even the dog flew when the thunder struck. The heavy rain only lasted a little over an hour, then on and off at times and it was the kind I like. Big heavy drops coming straight down. Warm, no wind, none of that misty-humid-trying to be rain but really just frizzing your hair, obstructing your vision and soaking everything from all sides-kind of crap.The last mile or two I thought my back would break before I got to the shelter. But then I saw the blue blaze (blue painted rectangle signifying a side trail) and two hikers leaving the shelter. Later I was to learn that they too were southbound from Harper¢s Ferry to Damascus. I¢m sure we will meet up later. Tonight in the shelter there are three of us. A good day to begin the trail. I hope my body holds up the rest of the way. If I, one of the most out of shape females, can do Virginia alone then I would imagine anyone could.