Date: 2010-07-07
From: Blackburn Trail Center

To: Harper's Ferry, WV
Miles today: 11.2

So last night kind of went downhill when I tried to hit the hay. The bugs came out and were hungry! I tried getting in my bag but it must have been 90 degrees so at 10:00 I set up my tent on the porch! Finally! A bug free zone! So-I woke up @ 6 and was on trail at 6:30! I wanted to be gone from there and was in no time! By 9 I was 3.5 mi out, just past the next shelter I almost hiked to, when I hear what I thought was squirrels...only to look over and see 2 bears! Only 25-30 feet from the trail!! They were wonderful! Maybe 4' tall on all 4's! We all froze (the bears and I) I immediately looked for a momma bear, looked back at the bears and before I could get out the camera they were off! It was really all very fast but spectacular none the less! If I hadn't stayed at the Blackburn Center I wouldn't have been where I was! Funny how things happen!! SO, off I go w/8 or so mi to HF! The terrain was very mild for a while then came the rocks to show me the rest of the way! They weren't terrible, they just went on and on! I was still making good time and really excited about this days destination! Before I knew it I was listening to the interstate w/1.9 left to go! I broke out the ipod and played an album from a friend...Peace and then a little Van Morrison...it was nice! As I started crossing the Potomac I started American Beauty...seemed appropriate! (That's the album Ripple's on!) As I had .2 to go my song came on! It was perfect timing! As I walked across Storer College campus I parked on a bench and REALLY enjoyed the moment! I made it to Harper's Ferry! I actually WALKED from GEORGIA to WEST VIRGINIA! I cried, I smiled and I reflected on all the tough times I pushed thru to get to this very place! A moment like no other THAT is for sure! SO...anxious to get to the ATC 1-for my pic and 2-to see if the All Good tickets arrived! Yahoo!! I got out of my wet clothes, weighed myself (118...this is good!)then headed to album of hiker pictures to collect email address'! It was fun to look back at all the people I'd met and hiked with! Now...off to eat! I headed downhill to the Lower town. Secret Six Tavern it was, for a nice 1/2 lb burger, fries and SODA! Shady service aside it was a pretty good meal! Then I called Bonzo for a ride. He happened to be right there and picked me up 5 min later! We went by the ATC where I left all my stuff and I was so grateful I woudn't have to walk back up that hill in the 103 degree heat! The temp had to be at least 15 degrees cooler in the woods! holy smokes-it was HOT! Now off we go to the 7-11 and on to his house. There were several folks there already and was wonderfully greeted! We all went in on dinner which Luna & Tix put together and it was wonderful!! Corn Bandit and I combined laundry, I showered and we all sat and watched a movie (or some of) before I headed out to bed. Bonzo's so cool! He's got a little shack out there...the pack shack...where some sleep. I set up my tent as did a couple others. I talked to LB, Turner and Ups. All was well and LB would be here tomorrow around 1. Hopefully Corn Bandit can join us at the festival! She'll know tomorrow! Several hikers already headed out, I'm excited to see who we run into out there! 5 days off from the trail to come! Truely a vacation from this summer job! Life is good!