Date: 2016-04-19
From: N of Raven Rocks

To: N of Weverton Cliffs
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: overcast clouds

We had an incredible campsite last night. We found a little ledge overlooking a cliff and made it our home for the night. It was a beautiful setting under a full moon. I don't know how many times I woke up and turned over but I couldn't help but marvel at the wonders above.We got off early to a warm morning. So nice not to have to layer up and have our winter hats and gloves on. We finished up the Rollercoaster and we're on our way to Harper's Ferry. We passed the trail to the Blackburn Center and then had some of the easiest hiking of the whole AT journey so far.We made it to town early afternoon and took in some of the historical sights before going over to the ATC. We passed a plaque lauding John Brown's raid on the arsenal and his attempt to start a slave rebellion. It didn't quite work out the way he planned and he was subsequently hanged by none other than Robert E Lee who at the time was a Union soldier and later led the Confederacy. Fascinating.Thoreau wrote an impassioned plea in defense of Brown. Thoreau himself was an abolitionist who spent a night in jail over his failure to pay a poll tax. Out of his experience Thoreau went on to write a very impact full tract 'On Civil Disobedience'. I have it as part of a compendium with Walden. "That government is best which governs the least". Later in the day we walked by the armory Brown raided.But first we went to the ATC where we were made to feel quite welcome. They have a small hiker lounge that we enjoyed. We had our picture taken. We were hikers 35 and 36 that have signed in at the ATC who are going NoBo starting at Springer Mt. You are probably wondering where Pocahontas fits in with Harper's Ferry, Brown and Thoreau.   Well that was a hook, this isn'the about the Native American legend but about our good personal friend Pocahontas who we met on the PCT in 2013. One of the reasons we were hustling to HF was to pick up a couple of packages that we had waiting for us. Pocahontas and her hubby Legasorus live out west. They are hikers and have provided support and trail magic to hikers on the PCT for years. They are very gracious with big hearts.When we got sick on the PCT in August of 2013, Pocahontas drove 3 hours one way to pick us up, take us into her home for a week and then deliver us back to the trail healthy and hearty, ready to head north. They were a big part of our success.Pocahontas had notified us that we would have a surprise waiting for us at HF. And what a surprise it was. We received a wonderful care package of chocolate chip cookies, an assortment of candies, small snacks of chicken and tuna salad and something only a hiker would think of: a small tube of toothpaste which we needed.It took all my will power to not devour the whole bag of cookies right there at the ATC.   Awesome, thanks so much. They also sent us a nice card with a personal message that was a great morale booster. It is nice to know you are rooting for us.Speaking of the PCT, 2 thoughts: 4/21 marks the 10 year anniversary of our first foray into long distance hiking. It has taken us to many wild and beautiful places, given us incomparable memories and great adventure. We'll celebrate that in a few days. I also read recently that there have been 4500 permits issued this year for the PCT. That is INSANE. When we hiked in 06 there were about 300 thru hikers total. I am so glad that we were able to have the experience of hiking the PCT when we did.Back to the AT. We left HF late in the afternoon after touring a few more of the historical sights.   We picked up a pizza at Mena's and some ice cream at the Cannonball Deli. Refueled, we had a leisurely hike along the Potomac on a a perfectly flat rock less trail. My feet said thank you trail. It was nice strolling along the river as the commuter train came flying by. I love trains. We cranked out a few more miles in the fading sunlight, found an 8 x 8 square of earth to call our home for the night and have settled in under a full moon for a good night's rest. Cowboy camping again tonight, Loving the heat. Happy campers on the ATWill