Date: 2018-05-02
From: Rocky Run Shelter

To: Annapolis Rock tent sites
Miles today: 9.1

After a restless night of sleep and the realization that a 2 person backpacking tent is really small for 2 people I heard our neighor up and about and figured that gave me permission. I woke Brian by opening the valve to release the air from my sleeping pad. Unimpressed as he was, he understood. I'd expressed the night before that I really wanted to hike as early as possible and get in as many miles as we could before the sun came at us for another beating. It was 5:45am. We packed up, filtered water and walked out of camp by 7:30. I've been wearing injinji sock liners and smart wool socks. The combination has worked to keep me blister free on all other hikes. But I was intrigued by Wright socks, and thus I bought a pair and today I tried them out. I wish now I hadn't. By the time we were half way to Dahlgren Backpackers campground I could feel a hot spot on one of the toes on my right foot. Upon arrival at the campground which is 1.8 miles from Rocky Run it was in fact my first blister. We stopped at Dahlgren to have breakfast, take advantage of a free hot shower, charge electronics and get rid of trash. Traveling Ambassador was there and we got to chat a few minutes. She was heading to town to get to a post office where she could mail some of her items ahead on the trail and reduce her pack weight. We stayed about an hour and a half and it was already well into the 70's when we hit the trail again. It became hot very fast, again without any shade. We made our first road crossing and saw a beautiful stone Church and Inn across from each other. Peaceful setting and a small field to walk thru. There was a hiker napping under the only shade tree available. We climbed a bit and eventually came across another road and into Washington Monument Park. Hot and needing a water resupply we stopped and found a partly shaded picnic table next to rest rooms and cold water. We snacked and rested, hydrated and moved on once the little shade we had moved on too. We pressed up a climb and eventually came upon the park's namesake...the original Washington Monument. A stone structure with magnificent view of Washington County. We were so hot and cranky. Brian had been complaining and it just made the situation feel worse. We agreed that he was not allowed to complain anymore and instead was going to find the beauty in the day. We left our packs at the bottom of the incline leading to the monument walked up free of the weight and spent several minutes sitting inside the monument on the steps with our backs pressed upon the cool stone so we could cool our body temperature. It was helpful. Neither of us wanted to go, but the time eventually came and thus we pressed on. We came across a hiking group of senior citizens doing 10+ miles that day and learned the group are the trail maintainers for this section of trail. Nice people but I was still so darn cranky I didn't want to talk with anyone and I resented their questions. My foot was in pain so I switched to my sandals and socks as Shake N Bake, a nobo Thru hiker stopped to say hello on the way by. He was envious of my sandals, but they really weren't comfortable either. By the time we crossed the footbridge over I-70 I plopped down in the shade under the overpassing bridge and put my boots back on. We we're immediately joined by the Dinamic Duo from NY who were also exhausted and seeking shade and a snack. Our plan was to do a 7 mile day and spend the night at Pine Knob. The Duo was going further. When we arrived at Pine Knob we were alone and unimpressed. I used the privy while Brian sought the shade of the shelter and lay down to rest. After joining him for a few minutes I needed to get to the spring to soak my feet and refill our water. The shelter, tent sites, spring and privy we're not that impressive to me. The location was close to the road and you could hear I-70 very clearly. We rested here for and hour and a half or so soaking our feet in a gallon Ziploc bag because there was no way to do it at the spring. We dosed with 2 Advil each and hydrated. We were joined by one day hiker who stayed only long enough for a snack. After he left some section hikers arrived and Brian struck up conversation with them having the Navy in common. By now we were feeling much better and decided we'd press on to the Annapolis Rock and leave this shelter to them.The rest, water and Advil did us both well. Brian took off like a rocket and it was tough keeping up with him! Who knew a couple of Advil would fuel him like that? I'll have to keep that in mind! We hiked the 2.2 miles to Annapolis Rocks in no time, arriving at camp after 7. Shake N Bake was there with another hiker and told us there was an awesome site by the spring. We hiked down to check it out and claimed it for the night. Right next to the spring and near a privy and bear pole. Out here I'd much rather be close to a spring than a privy which is the far opposite at home.Camp chores were certainly a chore but we managed together and soaked our feet and had a birdbath as well with the cool spring water. We retired for the night and watched the sun set as our eyes slid shut. We slept without a rainfly since it was so hot and there was no chance of rain.