Date: 2014-06-02
From: Harper's Ferry Hikers Hostel

To: Annapolis Rocks
Miles today: 23.1

Gary, another camper had left his dog in his truck while he camped in his tent. During the night the dog started to bark because of a couple of racoons that had been fighting. Loretta the Hostel worker tried to wake him up but he had his ear plugs in and she couldn't get him to take care of the dog. So for the rest of the night the dog barked off and on. I was up at 5 and so was Gargamel. I had a slow start as water had leaked from my back pack water bladder and I had to wipe up the mess. It was a short walk on the C&O towpath then up hill to Weaverton Cliffs where I spooked a deer. It had an awesome view and I took some pics and did a video clip. I passed Ed Garvey Shelter. He was the author of the book Lew Fertig had lent me that got me interested in hiking the AT. There were lots of rocks again today and I have taken to rock hopping when I can't find a good place to put my feet. I stopped at Gathland State Park for a tour of the museums, historical sites and to read other Civil War related bulletins. I also saw the War Correspondants Memorial built in honor of those that covered the Civil War. There is so much history here and not enough time to check it all out. I passed White Rock Cliffs and Lambs Knoll which both had nice views but the haze was really building up and limited it. All day long I had been planning on stopping in Turner's Gap where there was a restaurant according to the guide book. The only problem was it was a fine dining establishment and it was Monday and therefore closed. The heat and humidity continued to climb as I made my way up to the original Washington Monument. I thought or should I say fantasized that there would be a vending machine there where I could get a nice cold soda or 2. Alas, it was not to be as a worker advised me that they had been removed a couple of years ago. They did however, have an outdoor spigot with cold water so I temporarily satisfied my quench and hoisted my pack onto my soaking back and h eaded for the monument another .3 miles uphill. But it was definitely worth it. It was a stone structure about 50 - 75 feet tall built by local people from Boonesboro in the early 1800's in memory of George Washington. It was the 1st Washington Monument and stood on the side of the mountain over looking the valley below. I stayed there for a while enjoying the shade and breeze but finally pulled myself away. As I continue to travel north it is so interesting to see places that I recognize from previous trips and one that was especially neat was the I-70 overpass walkway. I have passed under it on several occassions either visiting family in D.C. or on the way to Myrtle Beach and looking up every time and reading the sign saying "Appalachian Trail" and now I was crossing over on it! A quick .5 miles later I was at Pine Knob Shelter where I planned to stay for the night and had even set up my sleeping gear and started eating supper. But as I reviewed the guide I realized Annapolis Rocks with some great views was only 1.6 miles more and it was only 6 pm. So with that in mind I decided to finish eating, pack up my gear and go t Annapolis Rocks. Now this is not like me as I am not one to change like that but it did feel good to do so. I got to Annapolis Rocks in less than an hour and set my tent up and got situated. Then I got out on the rock prepicice and watched the sun set. I took several, to quote a famous veternarian, "phenomenal" photos and have to say it was the best sunset yet while on the AT. I watched the lights come on in the valley below and by 930 decided to hit the sack. I was so tired I didn't even journal. I will have to play catch up tomorrow.