Date: 2016-07-03
From: Dahlgren Backpack Camp

To: Ensign Cowall Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: clear sky

The Dahlgren Camp worked out better than I expected, the pizza delivery was very satisfying and the noisy family didn't keep me awake, I fell asleep quite quickly. I did wake up in the middle of the night and after doing some internet searching booked a train ticket from Harrisburg, PA to Boston for the 7th of July. I was getting off the trail again for a few days to attend my grandson's baptism back on Cape Cod. With that ticket booked I just needed to find a shuttle ride from wherever I ended up on the 6th to Harrisburg.I departed camp around 8:20 am and after a couple of miles came to the Washington monument of Washington County Maryland. This stone tower was built by the local citizens of Boonesboro in 1827 to commemorate the life of George Washington. It is a simple tower but a marvel that in those times the citizens of a small rural community could come together together to build a memorial to President Washington. The tower was used by Union troops in the Civil War and has a great view of the valley below it.After the monument the trail continued over fairly level terrain through a green tunnel of trees. After about 3 miles we popped out onto a residential street and went between a couple of houses to the I-70 overpass. The highway noise is deafening compared to the quiet of the forest, and I feel sorry for the people living in those houses being subjected to that noise 24 hours a day. The overpass itself is a fenced in arch, with one end covered in vines giving it the appearance of a green tunnel - a Tunnel to the North.Near the I-70 overpass there was a parking lot and a sign to Annapolis Rocks, a popular destination for day hikers. There was a huge increase in the number of day hikers, and accentuated by it being a holiday weekend. Annapolis Rocks provided a picturesque outcropping of rocks with great views of the valley below and had many day hikers. I stopped there for lunch and filled up with water from the spring. A mile past Annapolis Rocks was another rock outcropping, Black Rock cliffs. Black Rock Cliffs had a similar view to Annapolis Rocks, just a little further down the valley. A father and daughter were there on a day hike and were interested in hearing about the thru hiking experience.After Black Rocks I passed the Pogo Memorial Shelter. A day hiker warned me that I was about to hit the rocks on the trail. The next mile or so was brutal and these rocks were just a foreshadowing of the infamous rocks through Pennsylvania. After passing the rocky section I came out on highway MD 17. I had planned on going into Smithsburg, MD for a quick resupply and hopefully get some dinner. There were several road crossings that could take me into Smithsburg and I took off my pack to pull out my map to look for the best one. No sooner than I did a passing car screeched to a stop and a kind young couple asked if I needed a ride into town. "Well yes, yes I do". Their names were John and Shirley and she said that often gave hikers rides. They took me into town and dropped me off at the local Food Lion, and there was a Chinese restaurant right next door. Shirley said that they would even swing back by in an hour or so in case I was having difficulty getting a ride back to the trail. Wow! Such thoughtfulness!I made a quick run through Food Lion and picked up some food for breakfast and some fresh fruit. I was still well stocked for dinners since I had been managing to eat every dinner since I got back at a restaurant or a hostel. I then went over to the Chinese restaurant and ordered a dinner there. While I was packing away my food, Shirley came in and said she and John would join me if I would like. "Most certainly, I'd love to have some company." So John and Shirley joined me and wanted to hear all about the trail. John was a quiet one but Shirley was really outgoing and interested. She had helped out a number of hikers over the years including a German couple that ended up staying at their house for a week! They were real Trail Angels! After dinner I grabbed my pack and they drove me back out to the trail. The first shelter, Ensign Cowall Shelter, was just a short walk and it was only 6:30. However Raven Rocks shelter where I had intended to go to was 5 miles away and it would be dark before I got there, so I decided to stop at the Ensign Cowall Shelter. There were only a few people at the shelter and it was supposed to rain tonight so I decided to stay in the shelter. Dragon Head and Polar Bear were already set up in the shelter, and Bearclaw was going to hammock nearby. Bearclaw had a big fire going in the fire pit and was cooking for dinner. Bearclaw was a talker and was regaling Polar Bear with stories of his medieval reenactment exploits. I'm not sure if he was listening but when Polar Bear walked off to hang his food bag, and Bearclaw kept talking, never missing a beat.A little bit later, The Dude came into camp and was all enthused about meeting up with Bearclaw. "Your reputation proceeds you!" The Dude was planning on going on to Raven Rocks shelter and Bearclaw, sensing a receptive audience, said he'd join him on the night hike. Bearclaw hefted his pack on and away they went, up the trail, and the shelter got considerably quieter! It had been another good day of hiking in Maryland. The trail had been relatively level, I had had some good views and got to make a quick run into town and meet some new friends. Tomorrow would be July 4th, Independence Day, and I would cross the line, the Mason-Dixon Line, into Pennsylvania, and heading north.