Date: 2010-07-01
From: Harper's Ferry via car

To: Front Royal via car
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Hi everyone! We are now in Front Royal because the Comfort Inn in Harper's Ferry was very unpleasant! I have decided to mix up the hike a little! ...(Sorry but some info here will be duplicated now that I've entered some past journaling)... I am going to skip the Shenandoah's for now and have them take me to the trail here in Front Royal, the north gateway to the Shenny's. I will hike north to Maine where Turner will pick me up. We will then drive to Front Royal, leave the car there and shuttle to the south gateway of the Shenny's. She and I will then hike the park together and conclude my journey! It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about completing my hike with her!! She is, after all, the reason I am here in the first place! Turner is the one who told me this trail existed, began educating me with books and movies and of course made the journey possible by moving in and taking care of my animals and house payments. Without her (and Ameski too!!) this journey would not have been possible at this time in my life! I am SO grateful for everything they have done to help me and finishing the hike with her would really be the perfect ending! This way we will get to see the park together, in the fall, cool weather and take all the time we need! Please check back to my entries as I am going to add some for each day and will also get back to work on the pictures!peace out! **NEW** from my handwritten journal...So far today had been absolutely fabulous! We got up, had breakfast and got the heck out of that hotel! We headed over to the HF Historic Park and befan our sightseeing! The history here is fascinating! To think I'm walking the same grounds that the Civil War soldiers battled on and over is still overwhelming to me! Muck like the trail and EArl Schaeffer, Gene Espy and Grandma Gatewood! Reallly mind blowing! We toured the Murphy Farm and battlefields then took the tour bus down to lower town/HF. We had lunch, shopped a bit, I ran into Yeti who I hadn't seen since Watauga Lake then headed back to the car (via the bus.) We hit the ATC headquarters as I lost my companion yesterday where I found I had mail! 2 letters from Scarlett!! Thank you so much my friend! It was SO nice to read...you're kind words and card brought tears of hoy!! I miss you too!! You are such a great and special friend and I love you dearly!! So off to th Front Royal now (about 60 minutes south) where we found the Hampton and felt like we were at a palace!! We sat by the pool for a bit then headed up to the room to do some chores! I came down with the computer and laundry where I am right now! How bout that...a little LIVE feed for you! Hehe!! I am about to get the washer and will work on getting some more picture downloaded while I launder! Mom's going to order us a pizza for dinner. I have all my food but need to decide what to pack out and what to bounce. I will also decide where to bounce my box...I'll try to get everything in order tonight so I can relax in the morning and perhaps even get a dip in the pool! The weather has been in the low 80's for our visit but looks as if it's going to get to the high 90's when I get back out there, should be fun! Early starts and late breaks will help me handle it! It looks like I will be heading to All Good! LB will be picking me up from the trail either in Harper's or near I-70 (FINALLY a road that means something to me! HA!!) I'm very excited although I wish it wasn't happening so close to my visit with mom and Shannon! Never the less, it wouldn't feel right if I didn't make it to at least one show this summer!! Ok, I will quit rambling and get to the pictures! I hope you are all enjoying them! They don't do these scenes justice but at least you'll have an idea! A little change in plans...a rude old woman let me stand in front of the washer for 20+ minutes knowing she had another load! Long story but anyhow...mom and Shannon decided they would take it to a laundromat for me so I could work on more pictures. They will pick us up a pizza and all will be well! Not exactly vacation activities for them but they insisted. I am so blessed!