Date: 2018-05-04
From: MD 77 Foxville Rd

To: Pen Mar Rd Rouzerville PA
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: light rain

Let me start by reminding everyone I'm married to the best husband there is. I had a good night of sleep after a shower, trip to Walgreens, Dick's for new trail runners and Texas Roadhouse for steak and a beer. I'm amazed at how quickly I felt refreshed and ready to go. We got some chores done (laundry) had breakfast and packed up a day pack for me with water, snacks, 1st aid kit, headlamp, etc. Always important to be prepared! Brian wanted to slack pack me today. I could hike with only a few pounds on my back instead of my whole house and this meant I could finish Maryland! Brian brought me to the trailhead at MD 77 where we picked up the SUV yesterday. He wanted to follow me today and had extra ice water, snacks, socks and other supplies on hand. We made a plan to connect at 3 road crossings so he could see I was well and support me with anything I needed. I could choose to stop at any of these points or finish Maryland by crossing the Mason Dixon line after Pen Mar Park. I was stoked!!!I walked the blue blaze trail from the lot to the trail and within a few minutes I was passing Ensign Cowell shelter and it was so nice looking and visible from the trail that I walked down to take a picture and use the privy. Not the cleanest privy which I'm finding is often the case when located close to the road and easily accessible to all. Not far after I returned to the trail I came across Thumper and another hiker having lunch. Thumper had been hiking with her Dad but he returned home yesterday and she's continuing her thru hike solo, much the same way Brian and I worked it. The path thru the forest was so nice and I was light and feeling full of life. Then the forest abruptly ended and the trail dumped me out into a beautiful rolling field with picturesque homes across the street. The narrow dirt footpath was now flanked by tall green grass on either side with one brown post painted with a 2"x6" white blaze. I couldn't help but stop on my way thru and take a couple of pictures. But I also filled with emotional appreciation for this suprise, my journey and life in general. With tears on my cheeks I turned my face up and spoke aloud to God with genuine thanks for all of this blessing. And I thanked him for my beautiful and loving husband who gave me more opportunity to enjoy the day. The trail rambled thru the field and back into the woods, very pleasant and gently rolling. When I made it to the first road crossing where MD 77 meets the trail again and Brian was there on the side of the road as promised he looked full of joy. He opened the back door of the SUV and said "look"! I noted a strange but yet familiar backpack and asked if he was being an angel today and slack packing another hiker...and then I realized the pack belonged to Traveling Ambassador! He ran into her at that crossing and she was a few minutes in front of me. Not needing anything from the SUV I grabbed a kiss and skipped off across the road and back into the woods. Eventually I came across Traveling Ambassador soaking her feet in a stream. We chatted a minute and I was delighted for her to get the trail magic from Brian and enjoy a few miles of slack packing. She was genuinely happy to have the pleasure. There were a few day hikers on this section of trail, probably because it is so pleasant and also easily accessible. I passed down under some power lines and back into the forest where I came across a large stream (about 4 miles into the day) with wooden footbridge and I stopped to take off my shoes and soak my feet. While sitting there Traveling Ambassador caught up with me and sat for a soak also. We had some nice conversation about what brought each of us to the trail. I found it easy to share a bit of my "why" without great detail and she did the same. It was a nice moment and I hope that she and I see each other often during our journey. We both acknowledge we'll be completing the trail as different people than we started and we both welcome the changes to come. At Warner Bridge Gap Rd Brian was waiting for us. We refilled on ice cold water, I had a snack and Brian charged up Traveling Ambassador's phone a little. Thumper joined us and took a rest. She and Traveling Ambassador were hiking to Raven Rock shelter for the night 1 mile up the trail and I was going about 5 miles past that. It was a very steep 1 mile climb from Raven Rock hollow to the shelter. I came across a group of 3 men soaked in sweat about half way up and confirmed a water source just below them and the rock hop stream beyond it across the road. They'd hiked from Pen Mar and the climb took them all morning. What was I in for?A mile or so past the blue blaze trail to the shelter I stopped to snack and care for my feet. I added electrolytes to my 1 liter smart water bottle and rested a few, taking 2 Advil to help cope with my foot pain. After resuming my hike I stopped to talk with Phaedrus and Wingnut who thru hiked in 2014. They let me know about the rocks ahead and assured me that for them the rocks in northern PA were the worst on the trail. Mentally and physically draining. When I arrived at the miles of rock field south of Pen Mar I understood. This challenging section shows no clear path and focus is spent on careful placement of each foot and locating the next while blaze. Many times the trail is illusive here and I would stand beside a white blaze not moving until I saw the next. It would be easy to get yourself lost off trail here. After what felt like forever and with my feet on fire I exited the dreaded rocks for softer trail and traveled the 1.3 miles left to the park among darkening skies and intermittent rain drops.I emerged at Pen Mar Park to see Brian who directed me across and back into the trees on the AT that would bring me out to Pen Mar Rd where he'd meet me with the SUV. Across a set off railroad tracks I took my first fall on the AT. Until now I'd only managed to fall in the bathtub the night before. Now I'm sporting 2 large purple bruises on my behind! After composing myself I saw it a few feet in front of me. The Mason Dixon line. My official finish if the state of Maryland and start of Pennsylvania. I cried as I opened the box to sign the trail log. It was emotionally rewarding. I knew already that I will tell Brian I want to zero with him tomorrow. My heart and my feet had made that decision a few miles back. I'm looking forward to spending some town time with him before he heads back to NH. I shared his excitement when he told me he was able to offer trail magic in the way of a cold mountain dew to Bite Me who he found looking depleted at a road crossing and about the other hikers he was able to talk to, including the Dinamic Duo who weren't far in front of me. We checked into a hotel in Waynesboro PA. And had the best night of sleep so far after an Epsom salt soak for my feet. Brian got an Epsom salt soak, tick removal and poison ivy ( or poison something) treatment. He just can't leave the sidewalk without getting into something!