Date: 2008-05-06
From: Comfort Inn in Harpers Ferry

To: Pogo Memorial Campsite (1550')
Miles today: 26.9
Weather: clear sky

I did actually hike today and didn't hop in the car to go home. We woke up early and caught the surprisingly impressive continental breakfast. Trill and Roundhouse were there and are going to hike the MD section with Trill's dad. The breakfast had little packets of honey which I grabbed and figured would be nice on the trail. I packed up and realized I would be in Duncannon next weekend and Esra is going to meet me there at the Doyle. It's nice because I don't have to mail anything, she can just being it to me. We said our goodbyes and I walked from the hotel to the trail. My legs got sore instantly even before I had done the 0.3 mi to the site trail up to the ATC office. I was worried maybe I took too much time off. They felt better shortly afterwards and I was able to enjoy the beautiful day. I passed Jefferson Rock and walked through Harpers Ferry which impressively still appears to be preserved in time. I crossed the Potomac into Maryland and I walked along a canal that had a lot of turtles in it soaking up the sun. When I reached the first shelter I saw in the register that Spruce and Chris were ahead of me now which will be nice to see some familiar faces. I passed a couple of hikers who just started from Harpers Ferry on a month long section hike and two woodchucks ran around near the trail. Woodchucks look so silly when they run and must be easy prey for anything that is hungry. I came to a road crossing that had a park next to it and a huge stone archway and ran into Chris there. He met his girlfriend, Lacy, there and something was wrong with her car (she had the same car I used to have, Oldsmobile Eighty Eight, which brought back memories) and they were waiting on AAA to show up. Chris was going to take some time off with her and said he was still going to be doing big miles but take more zeroes to see more of the country while he is hiking the trail so I might not see him again. Lacy gave me an apple and some orange slices which was well timed because I was going to stop soon for lunch anyways. I said goodbye and kept on walking. The MD section is pretty easy but a very nice woodsy area. I had looked at some pictures of the John Muir Trail on my zero days and though that after seeing how stunning that trail is I would have a tough time returning to the woodsy AT but that has not been the case. I stopped at the Washington Monument (a different one obviously from the one in DC) which was built in the early 1800's I believe and since then has been renovated. There were two couples also there enjoying the view. One lived in Columbia, MD and the other was visiting from Germany. The two women were sisters and I talked to them about their trip and they took my picture at the top of the monument and I returned the favor. There was a stray dog that followed me up to the monument and when I got down he was enjoying some shade but I imagine he was quite thirsty. I got to my campsite and set up. It was a big day today but the only thing bothering me now is chaffage. The zero days really helped a lot. I was worried I would get to Harpers Ferry and then realize I wasn't even halfway and feel down. Instead, I am physically and mentally reborn. Two and a half days of rest, food, and family did wonders for me. All the encouragement I got and support from Ben, Dad, Mom, and Esra went a long way and I am shocked at how positively its affected me. It was so great to see all of them and I got all I wanted from my zeroes and more. Harpers Ferry was a big goal of mine mainly because I knew I would get to see everyone and now that its past I can look forward to the rest of the trail I suppose. Thank you so much to Ben, Dad, Mom, and Esra for coming to see me. I love you all and just spending some time with you has done a lot for my spirit.