Date: 2012-06-22
From: Waynesboro, PA

To: Waynesboro, PA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

After spending a wonderful week together my sweetie Cindy departed today. I am feeling a bit blue. But I have many sweet memories of our week together to cherish in the days and weeks ahead as I make my way along the A.T. The week before Cindy's arrival I sent a brief update from Harpers Ferry noting my crossing from Virginia into West Virginia, crossing the 1000 mile mark and checking in at the Appalachian Trail Conservency visitor's center. I was the 457th northbound thru-hiker to pass thru this point on the trail. In that week I walked a total of 97 miles in 6 days and 5 nights on the trail (15 mi, 18, mi, 20 mi, 18 mi, 19 mi, 7 mi). For the five nights out I stayed in a shelter once, hostel's twice and the tent twice (shelter, hostel, hostel, tent, tent). The first day out was cloudy and threatening. I had heard serious rain was predicted for the following day, so I headed for the Dick's Dome shelter, where we had a brief shower in the evening. The forecast for the following day proved correct as the rain started at sunrise and continued more or less continuously until early afternoon. I was pretty wet from the waist down, but the umbrella kept my head and torso fairly dry. That evening I was already indoors at the Bear's Den Hostel when we had another shower lasting about 1/2 hour. The following four days the weather was great with some warm sun and cool breezes and warmer but not overly hot the last couple. The fourth day out, on the morning I departed from Harpers Ferry, I crossed a railroad bridge over the Potomac River and entered Maryland. There are about 41 miles of the AT in Maryland and most of the last three days in this section were spent traversing that state. The last day of this section, just over the Maryland-Pennsylvania state line (AKA Mason-Dixon line), I crossed PA route 16 east of Waynesboro, PA about mid-morning. I stuck my thumb out (first time on the trip) and had a ride from a local in about 5 minutes. My ride took me all the way to the Days Inn in Waynesboro (previously I have sent an update from Waynesboro, Va, the southern gateway for Shenandoah National Park). Managed to eat, shower and do laundry before Cindy arrived late in the afternoon. We had six glorious days together. Visited downtown Baltimore where we toured a pinball museum and saw visiting tall masted ships at the Inner Harbor. From our hotel in College Park, MD took the Metro train into DC two days. Outside we walked around the Capitol Building and walked around the Whitehouse (saw bee hive over back fence adjacent to Michele's vegetable garden). Visited the Lincoln Memorial after dark and later on walked by the Washington Monument on the way to the Metro station. Indoors in DC we visited several Smithsonian Museums: Air and Space, the Castle, American Museum of History and American Museum of Art. Also paid a visit to the Renwick Gallery. Saw many interesting things including the Star Spangled Banner and a pair of Dorothy's Ruby Slippers (one pair of only three known)! Spent the last two nights back in Waynesboro, PA. Drove over to Gettysburg yesterday. Spent most of our time there inside the visitors center and museum as temps outside were in upper 90's. Did drive to view Union position at top of Cemetery Ridge. Also walked thru National Cemetery on nearby Cemetery Hill (where Lincoln delivered Gettysburg Address). This morning Cindy and I snuggle before going over to the buffet breakfast here at the Quality Inn. Have a few sprinkles of rain early in the morning, but no substantial rain otherwise. Cut new set of shoulder pads. Trim new set of hiking boot insoles. Sort out stuff for Cindy to take home. Cindy departs about 11 am to drive back to airport in D.C. It is a very hot day. Walk up Main Street keeping my eye on her car until she disappears. Follow Main Street to where S.R. 997 turns south. Walk back to hotel. Plan daily mileage and camp spots to Duncannon, PA. Goop hiking boots. Write post cards to Mom and Carolyn. Walk to Dollar General and get a card for Cindy. Walk to Post Office to mail cards. Walk back to Quality Inn. Eat two TV dinners. Send above email update to friends and family. Cindy texts me that she is at the airport in D.C. I call and we chat before her flight. Update my handwritten trail journal. My final night at the Quality Inn, Waynesboro, PA.