Date: 2016-06-01
From: Bear Den Hostel (1002.5)

To: Harpers Ferry, WV
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Today is Wednesday, day 69. I am currently at mile marker 1023.1 (Harpers Ferry, WV) Again.... this is NOT the half way point but it is significant as this is where I get my picture taken, placed in the photo book - that keeps a list of hikers for this year. I am #414 for this year. I was up at 5 and walking by 6 this morning. My plans changed a bit as my friend, Keri was going to meet me at the hostel and let me slack pack but I decided to skip that and just walk towards her at Harpers Ferry. I made this decision because .... knowing me... I would be up and ready to go and I did not want to have other logistics to deal with. So, I was the first one out the door (Bears Den Hostel) to start my walk. I had a few more miles of the roller coaster section of the trail before things became a bit easier. To anyone reading this....that is thinking about walking the trail... let me tell you = = VIRGINIA IS NOT EASY and it is NOT FLAT.   But, it is now behind me and I am happy about that. Virginia has the most miles of the AT...with 550.3. As for the hike today ...nothing special other then getting out of VA! I saw Keri walking towards me when I had about 5 miles left in my hike. It was good to see her and we chatted all the way down to Harpers Ferry. I made it to the AT Conservatory ...took my picture, had two cold drinks and then I had another special visitor.   A good friend and former colleague, TL W. walked in the door!! So good to see her! She drove from the DC area just to visit and have lunch. We went to a local pizza place...yes, PIZZA... but it was much better pizza then Red Barron...that I have been eating since Georgia!! WE also went to the local outfitter because I needed another shirt. NO I am not getting rid of the shirt that I started the hike with...so all of my pictures will still be the yellow one that says Run Seattle. More people ask...are you from Seattle - - because of my shirt. That answer is obviously, "no" but it usually ends up being a great opening for conversations. Anyway.. back to my visitors (Keri and TL) I had TL come into the hostel, where both Keri and I are staying tonight. It is called, Tea Horse Hostel in Harpers Ferry. I showed her the bunk room...how things are done...etc...and told her she could spend the night. Her response, "oh, hell no, I am not sleeping here when my own bed is only 1 hour from here." LOL... OK...wait one more surprise... I am sitting her writing my journal on the hostel computer and I hear the door open behind me. I glance and OMG...it is another good friend and former colleague, Dennis L... OMG...what a special treat. I can't believe....two friends who drove to see me. WOW... I can't believe it. I am so so so blessed. I will include several pictures in the photo journal. OK... I might update this journal some more tonight but now I want to visit with my friends. The 4 of us, Keri, Dennis, TL and myself went out to eat even though we had just had lunch 2.5 hours earlier. I should say.... Only Dennis and I ate. It was so great seeing everyone... Thanks guys... All of you rock! TL thanks for the last lunch treat and Dennis thanks for the dinner treat. Keri will be spending a few days with me. She will help with logistics and help with slack packing. Tomorrow she will be a trail angel to Spongebob and allow him to put his heavy stuff in her car while he enjoys walking with a light load. I will do the same. We will walk to Washington Monument State Park tomorrow.