Date: 2015-06-07
From: Camp site 1006.4

To: Wevertown Rd
Miles today: 20.5

We had a good night's sleep and could have slept longer but knew we had to get going. We wanted to make it to Harper's Ferry before 16:00. So, up we got.    We are on our last day of food before resupply. We had slim pickings for breakfast. We had some dry Honey Nut Cheerios. We washed that down with some water. We packed up with everything being dry. That was a good feeling. For once, we don't have to dry our tent out during our lunch break.   We were on the trail by 7:15. We had to finish two more ups and downs of the roller coaster. At the bottom of the first down, we filtered water. Water was scarce today. So, we camelled up (This means, drink as much water as physically possible.). We did this and felt very bloated. We also filled our water bottles. Out we climbed to finish the roller coaster. We did the last bit and were happy we survived. Now, yesterday, a SoBo (Southbound) hiker told us the trail after the roller coaster to Harper's Ferry was easy. We are never believing anyone again. It may be easy if you are a mountain goat. But, we aren't. The trail was very rocky. We looked to the side of the trail and there would be no rocks. But on the trail, rocks, lots and lots. We think the trail builders build the trail just to go through the rocks. And then, they throw some extra rocks on the trail just to make it harder. We stopped for a short break to let our feet recover from the abuse we were giving them by clamoring over the rocks.    We did have a few flat, rockless areas of the trail. Oh, our bodies and souls enjoyed this part of the trail. We had some beautiful scenery today. All the vegetation was lush and green from all the rain. The deer were out today as we saw 4 or 5 deer. One startled us as we came upon it on the trail. We also startled it as it jumped high and ran fast. All we saw was its white tail. As today was Sunday and a nice sunny, cool day; perfect for hiking, there were lots of day hikers on the trail. We chatted with a few. Some don't even acknowledge other hikers. We just say "Hi" and carry on. After lunch, again, slim pickings for lunch which consisted of our last two tortillas and peanut butter with our last trail mix and two cookies, we hiked on. We finally entered Harper's Ferry National Park. We encountered rocks for a few miles. Then the trail opened up into an old mature forest with a beautiful trail; no rocks and switchbacks going down to WV route 32. After crossing route 32, we were back into the rocky trail. We wound around, going passed the Shenandoah River. We finally arrived at the edge of Harper's Ferry. We climbed up rock steps to visit the Appalachian Trail Conservancy office (ATC). Here, we checked in with a volunteer. We found out we were number 483 (Count) and 484 (Lavender) NoBo to pass through. This means since the start of the 2015 hiking season, we are the 483rd and 484th person to be hiking the AT northward. When we started, we weren't given the exact number as some hikers hike an approach trail to Springer Mountain and some do not. Therefore, the numbers vary. But, a volunteer said we were in the 1800s. Obviously and sadly, a lot of hikers have left the trail. We had our picture taken and placeed in the 2015 photo album. Harper's Ferry is considered the unofficial halfway point of the trail since the ATC headquarters is here.   We looked around the ATC. We studied the topographic map of the AT. Then, we cringed to think we still have a lot to hike. And some of the trail looks very, very hard. But, we will try to continue to put one foot in front of the other. Hopefully, we can make it to Katadyn We left the ATC and hiked along the trail past several nice lookouts onto the riverThen, we arrived at the historic part of Harper's Ferry. Oh my goodness. There were people everywhere. We haven't seen so many people in one area for over 9 weeks. We didn't know what to do. We saw some other hikers we knew, so we talked with them. They were as overwhelmed as we were. We had some ice cream and quickly left town. Life on the trail is less hectic than "real" life.   We walked across the Potomac River bridge in a string of other Sunday afternoon walkers. As we were walking, someone going in the opposite direction said "Hey, I know you!". We stopped to see who it was. Here was a day hiker we had leapfrogged with him when we hiked the Virginia Triple Crown over 300 miles ago. He just so happened to be in Harper's Ferry with his friends sightseeing today. This time, we exchanged names. He was starting a new job two days after we saw him 300 miles ago. So we of course asked him, Chris is his name, how his new job was going. It was very ironic we would see him ever again when he was not hiking the AT.   We hiked the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal path for a few miles. This was such easy hiking; we flew over this part of the trail. As we neared our destination, we had to crossover a railroad track. Just as we approached, a train came. Seriously, we had to wait 5 minutes on the AT to let a train pass. This was craziness.      We came upon Lavender's sister, niece and daughter. They were picking us up! We gave hugs even though we smelled of ode de hiker. We washed up a bit with soapy water and a towel which they had brought. Then, we drove to PA for the night. We had a nice grilled dinner and visited with them. Tonight, we are freshly showered and sleeping in a bed. Life is good.