Date: 2016-06-13
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Miles today: 83.0

Several important milestones this week: Left Harper's Ferry, the un-official halfway point, short of the official one, and passed from Maryland to Pennsylvania. Crossed the Mason-Dixon line, and am officially in the "North".   Passed mile 1094-the official halfway point. Now heading through Pennsylvania farm country. Very easy walking for me. Flat farmland. Folks call it death valley. Why? It's open, exposed to the sun. Water, while plentiful, is unaccessible cause of the pesticides used on the fields. No problem, just carrying an extra liter. Walked yesterday between a corn field and a wheat field-welcoming in their familiarity. Unfortunately, the trail between the 2 fields is full of poison ivy. Much as I try to avoid it, its impossible. Been suffering this for weeks. Benadryl spray an excellent addition to the pack. Thinking that it would be really easy for the AT trail lords to keep the ivy off the trail. But easier said than done. Here's why.   As you move through the AT, you see differences in trail maintenance and philosophy. There are several associations that tend to the trail and their different approaches create different experiences while walking. For instance: In the south, the ATC keeps that walk "easier" (believe that subjective-but it actually could be harder there given the terrain). They will go around some obstacles. The PACT prefers to make a more "social" experience. They'll lead hikers through parks and places more likely to see other people. Been walking through some of that and do like it since there are more facilities for clean up and chances to fill your water supplies from faucets and wells. The Sierra Club maintains regions north and likes a more "natural" experience (hence no poison ivy removal). There is a bar in Vermont where the trail once passed right through the building. Hikers would walk in one door, sit down for a drink, leave through another. The Clubs "natural" philosophy changed the experience by moving the trail so that it no longer passes through the establishment. The bar is still open and continues to boast its history. It's not far from the trail so many hikers still stop by. We'll see when I get there. Set up tent a few nights ago in a location that the book acknowledged was near a train track. Didn't know how near it was until I was settled in for the night. As I'm falling off to sleep, I begin to hear a train in the distance. Shortly thereafter, the ground began to shake a little, and then a lot more. The powerful engine kept coming and passed about 30 feet from me right on the other side of a grove of trees. Wow. Amazing power. Happened 5 more times that night. Laughed about it in the morning with several other nearby tenters as I was packing up my gear. Can't say we weren't warned! Had a wonderful experience a few days back walking with a section hiker. Her name was Mango. She was walking with several others and was going to have a visit from her Dad in one of the parks we were walking through. There was supposed to be a grill and swimming pool at this location. But on arriving, it was closed. A disappointment. But I happened to be there when Mangos Dad arrived. He brought with him an enormous spread of every kind of fruit you could think of: grapes, bananas, peaches, strawberries, blackberries, mangos... The trail magic open for the taking. I can't describe how great it tasted and then, as I set out hiking once again-I had so much energy I felt I could walk forever! I am amazed at the surge I feel from eating natural foods with actual vitamins and natural sugars. Thanks, Mango's Dad! Walked with 2 lady day hikers back in the Shenandoah, both musicians from Philadelphia. One is a pianist, the other a vocalist who actually sang for the Pope once. We had lunch together, saw a bear. Really enjoyed the conversation. I have also enjoyed the company of several others out here. Poptart, who took some time off to go to a wedding in Mexico. Enjoyed his company and hope to see him again. SoJo, the 70yo lawyer who manages to find time to do some work out here. Polar Bear, a frequent walking companion. Also appreciate Magic Man and the inspirational messages he leaves in the log book shelters. Since I'm writing about trail company I'll share a realization that came to mind a few days back. I have been impressed by the young 20 something hikers out here, both men and women. They are often students or young professionals taking time away to spend time on the trail. They are so nice, very polite, intelligent and interesting people. With all you see on the news and TV shows (which I don't miss for even a second), you can get kind of discouraged by the state of our culture. As these folks head back to there lives, I am hopeful that whatever my generation did for them, they'll be able to carry on and do even more for the world. It gives me hope for the future. Wondering- About my cable bill. Why do I pay that?