Date: 2017-05-16
From: Bears Den Hostel, VA

To: Teahorse Hostel, Harpers Ferry, WV
Miles today: 20.0

5/16/17 Teahorse Hostel, Harpers Ferry, WVMiles hiked: 705.2 Miles to go: 1484.6This was a banner day on the AT - we had another 20 miler, we checked off another state, we visited the Appalachian Trail Conservancy HQ, we saw old friends, and I got to see my son and his fianc©. 1st Sgt and I were the first ones up this morning at the Bears Den Hostel. I find we pretty consistently wake up around 5:30 AM now. We went upstairs and made self-serve pancakes to allow others time to wake up. We then packed up and were on the trail by 6:30 AM. Our goal was to get to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy Headquarters before they closed at 5:00 pm so 1st Sgt could pick up a resupply package he had sent there. Otherwise, we would be sitting around tomorrow morning waiting for them to open. The first four miles of our hike were still in the Rollercoaster and were pretty steep. We also had to play a serious game of Frogger trying to get across rush hour traffic on US Rt 7 without getting smashed. We did get a nice view from a rock outcropping and ended up spending more time there than planned. As a result, we really had to pour it on to get back on schedule. Luckily, the Rollercoaster soon ended and the trail moderated considerably. The treadway was still pretty rocky; but, the ascents and descents were much gentler. Looking at the AWOL guide, we found that there was a convenience store on Rt 9 at the 15 mile mark that had a deli. Food is always a good motivator for thru hikers. So, we redoubled our efforts and made it there a few minutes after 1:00 PM. After a delicious lunch eaten in front of the convenience store, we hightailed it the rest of the way into Harpers Ferry, stopping only long enough to take pictures at the state line. We arrived at the ATC HQ at 4:18 PM. At the ATC HQ they took our pictures in front of the building and added them to the 2017 hiker picture album. I also found out that I am thru hiker number 238 to reach this point from Springer Mt. When we went inside, we found Courtney (now going by the trailname Hoops) and Sitting Bull there! How cool! I hadn't seen them since before I went off trail in early April. It's always fun to run into old friends on the trail. We next made our way up the street to the Teahorse Hostel. It's a very nice and clean hostel. While we were getting cleaned up, my son, Sam, and his fianc©, Caileigh, arrived. Since Hoops and Sitting Bull were also with us and we wouldn't all fit into their car, we decided to walk to an Italian restaurant just down the street. In the end, we were joined by two other hikers named Gibby and KJ. It was a very good meal and, to top it off, Sam bought my dinner. Woo hoo! Thanks Sam! After dinner, Sam and Caileigh drove me and Hoops to the grocery store to restock for the next segment of our hike. What a great help that was! Thanks again Sam!We are now back at the Teahorse. The funny thing is that they do not cater exclusively to hikers. There are as many non-hikers here as there are hikers. I don't think the nonhikers quite know what to think of us. There is a young woman here who is starting her Flip Flop hike in the morning. It's fun to see the mixture or nervousness and excitement and remember that we were all in the same place a few months ago. Tomorrow, we cross the Potomac River and head into Maryland. After 40 miles, we will cross the Mason-Dixon Line and officially enter the northern portion of our hike.