Date: 2003-08-11
From: Keys Gap

To: ATC Headquarters Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 5.9
Weather: light rain

Giardia...negative, Lyme...negative, all other tests...negative. Argghh! So, my test results are in, and I guess that officially, I am not sick! It is frustrating, cause I really would like a label, a diagnosis, and a cure! But, seeing as how that didn't happen this morning, I did what any self respecting person would do....I went hiking! :)   About a million people have emailed and called me to check on my health, and let me say, I have been touched by the concern! Thank you all for watching after me! I am feeling better, and I would say that I am at about 80% as far as strength goes, so I am getting back out there. Time is wasting and Maine is calling!! :)    The first item of business today was to officially hike into Harpers Ferry. Since Jerry picked us up off of the trail, I still had not walked into town, and let me tell you, here in Harpers Ferry, that is very, very important!! HF is the un-official half-way point on the AT. Hikers call it the psychological half-way point. The trails governing body, the ATC, is housed here, the trail crosses the Shenandoah River, and the trail reaches the 1000 mile mark, so you can see that it is a section of trail that is steeped in meaning and milestones. My hike today was really flat, and unbearably rocky! I was happy that I was able to slackpack it. Four days in bed have taken a chunk out of my stamina, so I took my time and just laid down the miles. It was warm, and the trail was dry and dusty. The sounds of summer, which are 99 parts cicadia and 1 part the rustle of dry leaves, rang in my ears as I walked. The whine of mosquitos and the swish of my hand as I brush the knats out of my eyes are a constant accompianment to my uneven footsteps. My ankles turn constantly and sweat drips into my eyes. Man, am I happy!! :)   Towards the end of my hike, I descend a flight of steps and walk out onto the bridge that crosses the Shenandoah River. Goosebumps raise on my arms as I realize where I am. To say that I have dreamed about this for years would be true, but it would also be a huge understatement. Did you ever have a dream that was so surreal...so unlikely to ever happen, that it seems incorrect to even label it "dream"? That is what this is. I have come far enough from home that there is an unreal energy to every milestone I hit. It crackles around me as if to say that the universe knew I would be here one day, even if I didn't dare to think it. I can actually hear the trail saying, "It's about time, Anna....I've been waiting for you". I tell you, it is a powerful, powerful feeling.   Speaking of milestones....when a hiker gets to the ATC headquarters, a volunteer comes out and takes your picture in front of the sign to put in "the book". The book is full of polaroid shots of every hiker that has come through this season, and also provides a count of thru hikers for the year. Bumpkin and I proudly posed together in front of the sign and claimed our place as numbers 739 and 740 for the year. The official count of hikers leaving Neels Gap in Georgia is 1750, Of course, a lot of hikers quit before they get to Neels, so there is no telling how many actually started, but at this point, it looks like less than 50% of folks that start the trail make it this far. Cool, huh?   After getting our pictures taken, Bumpkin and I looked through the book, putting names with the faces of hikers we had been reading about for months. We were also able to see which of our friends were still on the trail. It provided a sense of connected-ness that we have been missing, and I have to tell you that putting my picture in that book is one of the proudest moments of my life. If I ever doubted it....it is now official. I am a thru-hiker. The last thing we did was check the message box for any possible notes left from hikers ahead of us. There it was.....a note from HikerBikerBabe!! She left us a note congratulating us on making it to HF! It was like she had no doubt that we would be there!! That made me feel so good! And when we went to the post office, there was a care package sitting there for us from Silver Lining! Let the record show that she, also, had no doubt we would make it! I feel like the four of us are back together if for only a moment, and if only in spirit.   Well, we have Bumpkins car, and we are headed to Connecticutt. The next trail miles I record will be well above the Mason Dixon line! :)I leave you with this final thought...we stopped at a Cracker Barrel for dinner. While browsing through the gift shop, I found myself suddenly face to face with a huge seasonal display. The hair stood up on the back of my neck as I realized that it was a Halloween display. Oh myyyyyy........where did the summer go?!       Love, Anna aka Mud Buttwww.trailjournals.com