Date: 2012-05-21
From: Potomac River - WV/MD

To: Potomac River - WV/MD
Miles today: 0.0

Travel Day 1 : Day 57 - Monday, May 21thHiking Days 41 / Nero Days 11 /  Zero Days 4 / Travel Days 1Start Location: Potomac River - WV/MD - Harpers Ferry - Tea House HostelMile Marker: 1017.5Ending Location: N/AMile Marker: N/ATime: 0h 0min Miles: 0.0Weather: Started out with light rain.  Warmer temps. 65.  Going to 85-80.  But who really cares since it is a travel day.  Went to sleep rather late.  The group of hikers I've been with for a bit have been a lot of fun not only to hike with but to hang with.  We closed the bar down next door last night.  Now that would sound  very impressive and all but in Harpers Ferry that means 9:00.  Went back to the hostel.  Nice place but no TV.  Well worth the $29 but would be great with a TV.  And possibly wi-fi.  Oh well.  The guys made a pizza.  Everyone had a piece.  Two hikers went out and partook in a smoke session.  They came in, fell asleep on the couch so I had an extra piece of pizza.    Set my alarm for 5:45.  Plan was to get up, shower, pack and be ready for the 6:15 waffle breakfast that Laural was going to make.  And as things had it, I was right on schedule.  After breakfast, Laurel was going to drive mysel and anoth hiker to catch the 7:00 train to Washington DC.  The 7:00 was the late and last train to DC.  Once at the station who came around the corner but Dundee.  He emailed me last night when he came into town but never responded to any of my e-mails back.  One of them let him know that I was going to DC on the 7:00 train.  He had mentioned before that he wanted to go to DC while on his trip/hike.  And the he was. We got to DC around 8:30.  Of course Dundee was hungry so I went on the information hunt while he grabbed a bite to eat. The mall was only about an eight block walk from the station and one thing we both can do after over 1000 AT miles is walk.  We came out around the Capitol building.  He of course started asking why it is spelled with an o and not an a.  With it now being around 9:30 we found that all of the museums opened at 10:00.  The first stop was going to be the Smithsonian space and flight museum.  Since we had some time,  we walked to the business side of the area.  We came across a Starbucks so, of course, we (I) had to stop.  My treat.  While we were exiting, this drunk guy came in.  Not sure Dundee knew what to do with him.  Being from the Chicago area, this was unfortunately just not that unusual.  Also, DC has a bad reputation about its poverty areas.  It was not a big deal, just a bit unfortunate.  Once at the museum, I wasn't sure how my pack was going to be handled.  As it turned out, there were X-ray machine there and it went right through.  There are many cool aircrafts there.  My favorite is the real Spirt Of St. Louis.  How cool is that.  We also got to see the IMAX presentation on the Hubble Telescope.  Very cool.  Then on to the Smithsonian information Center.  Got a map and then across the mall to the  Field Museum.  There is just to much to see on just a fre hours  You can spend a day or two in any one museum.  Then over to one of the art museums.  There were no barriers to the art work. Room after room of Monet's, Rembrandt's, Degas, Picasso and on-and-on.  You could get right up to the original masterpiece.  I was in total awe of this concept.  But it was time to go and start my trek to the airport.  Said my goodbyes to Dundee.  I guess this really is the final goodbye. Will miss hiking with him.  He represents the farthest I hiked with anyone.  From just after the NOC to Harpers Ferry.  That's a long way.   Started my way back to Union Station.  Got information on how to get to Dulles Airport.  A train and one bus.  While I was trying to figure out the ticket dispensing machine some guy behind me started getting impatient.  Now ther were six or seven ticket machines and there wasn't more than one person at any of them.  He started with "so are you using the machine?". I replied "I'm sorry what?" "Are you going to use the machine or what?" on a very rude tone.  So with that I turned, looked the asshole in the eye and replied "yes, as soon as I figure out how to use it so why don't you go find a new line to stand in". I think he was expecting me to cower to his tone and wasn't expecting my reply.  With no further words exchanged he found a new line.  thanks for the help, dick. Well, I still could not figure out how to use the F'in machine.  This lady came over and asked of I needed help.  She was obviously a street hustler and this was her hustle.  But she walked me through the process, gave me clear directions of the train transfer, and so as far as I was once she started with her story I was already prepared to give her $5  ... and it was well worth it.  So when I arrived at the platform, the redline train arrived.  As I got on it I asked in a general nature if this was the bla bla line.  A guy shook his head and said yes.  But then a girl replied no it wasn't but the next redline train would be what I was looking for.  As i was exiting the train I realized the guy who replied yes was the dick behind me in line trying to get me on the wrong train.  Welcome to DC.  Glad I was making my way out.  Well, as the process went on, I made my transfers, found my bus and arrived at the airport with a few minutes to spare to check my pack and get through security.  I decided to check my pack because i just didnt want to desl with the TSA nimrods with my pack.  Chicago was finishing its bullshit participation in the NATO Summit and Chicago was on a total lockdown, especially in the area of public transportation.  Without a pack , I breezed through security.  Just as I arrived at the gate they were lining up for boarding.  I paid the extra $ to have priority boarding.  It would have been a bummer if I missed it.  Got my seat and now my stress level went from a solid nine to a comfortable ahhhh.  Used my complimentary drink coupon with an extra five bucks and had a double scotch.  Sweeeet.  As we took off and gained elevation , I could see the system that is bringing rain over the next few days.  Lots of cloud cover with several storm areas.  It's funny because now I'm above them, not in them.  I have learned that when hiking if you hear jets above you the rain is not currently around you despite how things may look.  That's because the pilots fly to avoid the rain systems.  And here is proof.  The pilot is making actions to avoid the higher clouds that produce the rain.  The two things I look for to indicate no rain being present are the birds out singing and the sound of commercial jets flying above me.  It's weird the things you get in tune with on the trail.  The flight was good.  Actually only two hours long.  So I went from DC to Chicago in the same time I hike between 5-6.5 miles.  Hmmm.  Well, once I landed, I caught my train into The city.  I just missed the train to the burbs so I had to wait an extra hour for the next one.  While in the station I refrained from doing one of my favorite pass times ... Eat in the food court.  With me not hiking circa bit, I just cannot pound down the calories until I start up again.  Bummer.  The food smelled sooo good.  Now on the final train. Once there it will be a walk to my door.  All-in-all, for a long travel day with many connecting points, it had turned out to be a good day. Should get in around 10:00pm.  Can't wait to give my baby a great big hug. I missed her do much.  Hope she remberes me.