Date: 2003-06-22
From: Chester Gap, VA - Harper's Ferry, WV

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Harpers Ferry1007.4 total milesWay back on Memorial Day, a trail angel named Southpaw told me, "When you get to Harpers Ferry, don't sit down. You won't want to get back up." I never knew how right he was. I don't know if it's the unofficial halfway point, the 1000 mile mark, the ATC, or the particularly bad terrain getting here, but this town sucks you in. It is so hard to leave. It is a good resting point before heading north again.I woke up on day 81 with every intention of hiking out. We got a ride from Cuba's friend Kerry to Walmart for supplies. But coming back from Walmart it started to rain. I wanted to cry in frustraion. NO MORE RAIN! The motel we were staying at was exceptionally cheap if you split a room. I just couldn't hike out. I needed the day off. I told Cuba (who had a deadline to meet) that we'd do some longer miles and catch up with her before she gets off the trail. We went to the library, convenience store. We had dinner at Kings Italian restaurant. It was a restful day.I woke up on day 82 throwing up the pizza I had for dinner the night before. I felt horrible. We were supposed to hike out and do big miles to catch Cuba. But I knew that it wasn't worth risking my health to catch them. It was a very hard decision, but it meant one more day in town. I slept for most of the day, which I really needed. We hung out at ATC, and used their foot massager. Someone brought in a chocolate cake in honor of Naked Hiking Day, and I managed to eat a small piece. It was a cold rainy day, so I wondered if anyone was out hiking naked (I know of 1 person who was planning on it). It was mostly great to sleep. I can't believe how much I slept that day.I woke up on day 82 once again with the intentions of hiking out. But my stomach was really hurting. I remembered last time I tried to hike with similar symptoms, and how much worse it got. I thought that after 1000 miles, 3 day off was not unreasonable. As we are heading north, this is the last cheap motel we'll hit. One more day would give me the rejuvination I would need, both mentally and physically. And I couldn't imagine getting into a crowded shelter while sick. So I stayed. I walked around the creepy town of Harpers Ferry. There were plenty of candy, antique, and gift shops. There were people walking around in Civil War clothes. The town was too weird for me. I walked the .6 miles of the AT between the ATC and downtown, so I could skip that in the morning. That evening a few of us ate ramen noodles out on a cliff by the river. The sun had come out. I felt good again. I felt refreshed and happy. I am ready to hike again.It's funny, as we walk through town, every local person we see asks us how we are holding up in the rain. I guess they have seen a lot of weary hikers pass through this year who are sick of the rain. Yesterday's newspaper reported that the local weather radar was malfunctioning because of overuse due to all the rain. And today's paper had an article on how to deal with the fact that the kids are stuck inside everyday due to the rain. So congratulations to my fellow hikers in the class of 2003 for braving the unusually wet conditions.I don't know if it's because I hit the 1000 mile mark or if it's trail magic when I need it, but I appreciate all the supportive email I have gotten lately. The last 4 days of hiking have been the hardest yet, and it has been miserable being sick in this creepy town. I have been having a hard time. So, I very much appreciate all the support from everyone. Thank you all! 3 days off on a real bed did me well, and I am feeling good. I am excited about hiking again. And the newspaper calls for the next 4 days to be partly to mostly sunny!I want to say a few words about our "camp-mom" Cuba. I am very sorry that she got so far ahead we missed her departure. People would sometimes ask if she was out hiking with us, her kids. Someone went as far as to suggest that us kids look to her for nuturing! How much nurturing can I expect from someone who tells me "Ew, you smell like the privy!"? We'll miss you, Cuba! We can't wait to see you in Delaware Water Gap! I will close with a tribute of my top ten favorite trail name mispronunciations by Cuba:10. Hank (Tank)9. Potatoboy (Potatohead)8. Wingsfoot (Wingfoot)7. Twirly Bird (Whirly Bird)6. Greg's Dad (Zach's Dad)5. Stan's Dad (Zach's Dad)4. Stir Fry (Stir Crazy)3. Porcupine (Groundhog)2. Cornfield (Redbeard)1. Foosball (Fubar)