Date: 2009-06-10
From: Harpers Ferry

To: Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I managed to get up early enough to put together the next maildrop for myself, which we would mail from DC, and get ready to catch the train. Unfortunately, it was late, due to signal problems from the storm. We were lucky to find a seat together amongst the commuters. I wanted to show Erik my recent pictures, but he was more interested in looking out the window. Eventually, we both ended up napping. Upon arriving at Union Station, we had no luck on finding any information on the city, but we did find the post office to mail off my box. We then proceeded to spend a great amount of time trying to figure out the subway ticket buying process. As it was 9 am and you were not allowed to purchase a day pass until 9:30, Erik put $10 on a card for us. However, it turned out that two people were not allowed to use the same card... It took the help of two workers to get the problem straightened out. When we finally got off at our first subway stop, Erik slipped into the turnstyle right behind a lady- unaware that the card registers each ride when you put your ticket in as you leave the stop... We ended up not riding the subway for the rest of the day anyway. Our first stop was breakfast. We found a good place, where I had salmon on a bagel and pancakes on the side! We didn't leave that place until 10:45, whereupon we headed down to the White House, where Erik hoped to get a tour. Unfortunately, the rules are now that you have to contact your congressman for permission 6 months in advance! We saw lots of fashionable girls walking around in pretty skirts, which I admired, and high heels, which although they look fantastic, I can fathom even less how it is not possible for them to be painful after living in trail shoes and crocs for the past few months. I doubt I'm going to be able to fit into any of my former shoes when I get home. I also noticed that I didn't have the ability to walk as quickly as everyone else... I felt slow and lethargic. All of my tendons and ligaments and muscles had become shortened and tight over the course of my hike.    We walked around to the back of the White House and saw Michelle Obama's garden (which I had previously not heard about). We then headed toward the Lincoln Monument. (I'm more of a Smithsonian/zoo kind of girl, but given the time constraints and the things Erik wanted to see, we went for a few of the monuments instead). After checking out the main statue, we went down to take a look at the museum (I had not known about this being there, either!). And who did I see coming out as we entered, but Minnesota IPA! What incredible timing!    We walked past the Vietnam Memorial (unbelievable how many names are on it...!), and headed toward the Capitol building. It was a LONG walk on the concrete, in the humid air. We finally got there, only to be told that we had to walk around back and across the street. We thought we would check Erik's bag, but that was not an option, and we were not allowed to bring any food or drink in. We could throw it all away or go in separately... I went in first. Visitors now may only see the rotunda on an hour long tour, for which there was a line of people. I didn't want Erik waiting that long for me, so I was constrained to the museum. My energy was waning, and my brain did not want to take in any information that was presented. All I really thought about was how Daisy (an Australian thru-hiker from last year) found himself rubbing elbows with the congressman and being offered food served on a tray, after he had just been looking for the restroom... I wish I had a personality to get away with things like that!!   We ended up returning to Union Station for a lunch/dinner. My blood sugar had diminished to dangerous levels when we sat down, but I was soon brought back to life like a lilting flower after receiving rain. We stopped at Starbucks for a pick-me-up for the train ride back, and I ordered my very first frappachino!   Erik had to get back to Durham that night. Our train was delayed again- this time for an hour. Upon arriving back at Harpers Ferry, we met Single Speed, who I had arranged to share my room with for this second night. He was very agitated about the extremely large amount of food he had received in his maildrop and had to carry to Duncannon, and frustrated with planning for the next leg. Erik and I packed up his car and said goodbye. Later that night, Single Speed talked about how homesick he felt.