Date: 2015-04-27
From: By Sam Moore Shelter

To: past Weaverton Cliffs
Miles today: 28.0

I awoke this morning in Virginia and am laying down to sleep this evening in Maryland, having also passed through West Virginia!Best of all-- I got to visit the Appalachian Trail Conservancy headquarters today!! My photo is now in their album as I am listed as the 23rd northbound thru-hiker this year. The folks at the Conservancy were the best! They were all super helpful and really kind. There was a hiker lounge with a computer and a couch. My favorite at the conservancy was a high relief map of the trail. This map must have been maybe 5' x 15' (or bigger?). It really showed the number of climbs and descents on the trail.So, let me take you quickly back to the start of my day. The early morning weather was quite pleasant! It had to have been low 40's... There was no worrying about things like my water filter freezing... Plus, the warmer temperature made it a lot easier to get going.I was walking by 6:45. I really wanted to make sure that I had adequate time to get to the ATC (Appalachian Trail Conservancy) headquarters before they closed. I had about 24 or 25 miles to go to reach Harpers Ferry.The first 6 miles today were part of the Rollercoaster section of the trail. The subsequent miles into town would be very gently sloped, but quite rocky. This part of the trail was also dry and lacked much woodland plants other than invasive and poisonous plants (aka: Garlic Mustard, Poison Ivy, etc).Early on, I ran into Rambler again. It was a pleasure to talk with him for a while. His trip is finishing into Harpers Ferry. With the rocky sections slowing him down, I pressed on.I reached town, made a quick pit stop for an ice cream and hot dog, and visited the nice little outfitter. They seemed to be trying quite hard to have a good business. I took one last look around at some more of the historic buildings, read some interpretative signs, and headed on.The trail crossed over the river and began following the old canal towpath. What an giant effort this must have been to construct. Talk about well-graded!! After spending some time looking at the river, and more specifically, the rapids in the river, I really understood the navigational challenges presented to that generation.While I was walking down the towpath, a coal trail passed me... Or should I say, nearly passed me. With a sudden squeal of the brakes and a few loud bangs, the train slowed to a stop.I quickly checked my watch. Hmm. That doesn't look good. My ETA for the towpath trail and the Appalachian Trail split was coming up. That meant that I would need to cross the tracks shorty. It looked like the train was pulled over to let another train by.After a bit, I discovered that I was right. A passenger train went clanking ad squeaking by. As I continued walking, I kept looking for the engines. I wondered how long I might wait for the train to pass. I felt myself walking faster, hoping to find the front of the train. I looked to my left and finally saw what I was looking for -- train engines. They were idling at a stand still, but the other train had already gone by. I started jogging toward the trail/road crossing. The trains still weren't moving..   I looked both ways about 8 hundred times and crossed the tracks safely. As I just got up a little further, I heard the horns sound and the big diesel chug to life. It felt like a major victory to get passed that train without having to wait forever for it to pass.The trail climbed the bluff outside of town. It immediately went up and revealed wonderful views of the area. I walked a short time longer and found a little flat spot. It was perfect with an easterly view (for morning sun). I set up camp and relaxed! Ahhh, well done!!!