Date: 2016-10-01
From: Bear's Den Hostel

To: Hwy 50 for pick up and ride to Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: broken clouds

Budget here at my own laptop in Harpers Ferry, WV. It has been raining in the Northern Virginia area for several days. Jeremiah, Buffalo and I have managed to skirt the nightly rainfall by staying in shelters, cabins and finally the Bear Den Hostel. On Thursday it rained so hard that we didn't even make 10 miles when we pulled into Bears Den. When I stuck my head in the door of the Hostel I found several other hikers who had just pulled off trail for the day, Mickey, Minney, and Daytona were there as well as several others. I was glad they had a place for us. Jeremiah's son, Josh, came in too that night to hike with him for a few days. We will catch up.We hiked another 14 miles in on and off rain on Friday. We passed the 1000 mile sign for NOBOs. This was great for us. Now all mileage will be only 3 digits in the future. Buffalo and I are getting closer.Buffalo's daughter, Elizabeth picked us up on Hwy 50 and took us into Harpers Ferry where we met up with my wife Deb. It has been a wonderful reunion for us both after two months. We've missed each other so much. Now that I'm back in the south we hope to see more of our wives and family. It has been so much fun seeing our northern families.Deb brought the "butter grenade" from Kurtis and LB. The butter grenade is a container to store butter in so we can mix it in with our Pasta Sides. Buffalo and I have been using butter to maintain our weight. It must be working because I don't feel I've lost any more since the 30 I've lost already. Kurtis and LB used this method in 2012. Its not lightweight but it works. The body needs fat to keep warm and have energy. Thanks LB!All four of us went to the ATC headquarters in Harpers Ferry to see if anybody else had checked in. Yup they had. One Piece, Unicorn, Lancelot, and Pacer had all signed in since we were here on Wednesday. We were also very happy to see that Cucumber and Hummingbird had caught up too. We hadn't seen them since Kinsman Notch in the Whites. I had enough time to look up Kurtis and LB's picture plus the guy who started it all for us in 2008, Eric Mendoza. One of the staff at the ATC said Buffalo and I are right on time. There will be more SOBO's to come after us and we are right in the middle. We got to keep it going at a steady pace to get home before Christmas. That's the plan and we're sticking to it.Today we visited Harpers Ferry Historical Park, had lunch, went shopping and did our laundry again. Its been a wonderful reunion. Can't beat family. Elizabeth is like family. We've hiked many a trail together with our Venture Crew at Philmont. Tomorrow we will hit the trail again and try to catch Jeremiah. His boy will have headed for home and Jeremiah will take some time off to watch football. More rain expected tomorrow, UGH!Thanks for all the well wishes and offers of support. We appreciate them all. Thanks to Real Deal for the Trail Magic. Town food makes such a difference to a thru hiker. Even my 91 year old dad has offered to come up and support us. All who have helped or offered to help are a blessing to us. Thank you.I have been saying for the last few months, "If I finish this thing I'm...". Now I'm saying "When I finish this thing.....". Confidence is starting to creep in slowly. But there's so much mileage and mountains to cross first. Old Man Winter is chasing the old men. We'll see who wins.One thing for sure,...I'm not leaving Deb again.