Date: 2017-06-30
From: Dahlgren Backpack Campground

To: Ensign Cowall Shelter Tent Site 
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: moderate rain

6/30Dahlgren Backpack Campground to Ensign Cowall Shelter Tent Site 13.9 miles Total miles:  1054.8I awoke to my alarm, which was set for 5:30.  I don't normally set an alarm, but we talked about trying to make eighteen miles today, and that would require an early start. It is also starting to get hot during the day, and I like hiking in the cooler morning.  We were on the trail by 7:00, headed for the first destination of the day, and something I have wanted to see for a long time: the Washington Monument. No, I didn't catch the Amtrak to Washington, D.C. back in Harpers Ferry.  This is the original Washington Monument.  The good people of Boonesboro, Maryland, back on July 4, 1827, decided to celebrate their independence by constructing the first monument dedicated to our first President.  The entire town paraded up the hill behind an American flag and went to work.  Constructed of stone, they were able to complete the first fifteen feet that first day.  Farming duties called, and the work did not continue until September, when the monument was completed.  Built without morter, the monument fell onto hard times.  It was modified several times and was used by Union troops as an observation post during the Civil War.  It was ultimately returned to its original appearance, this time secured with morter, as a CCC project in 1934-1936.  It is a wonderful structure, and I was able to climb the winding staircase to the observation deck on top.  It was possible to see the Antietam battlefield, as well as look back on West Virginia and forward to Pennsylvania.  There is a stone courtyard with benches built into the back of the monument , and Splat, who we met there along with Dory, took my picture.  After lingering for awhile, it was time to get back on the trail.  The next destination was the Annapolis Rocks.  To get there, it was necesary to cross Highway I-70/US 40 on a footbridge.  It is a caged in bridge, and lots of truckers blow their horns for you as you cross over, which was pretty exciting.  The subsequent trail to the Annapolis Rocks was quite steep but wide and smooth.  There is a magnificent view, and I sat awhile taking it in before hiking down to a spring for water and returning to the trail. I ate my lunch and continued on.  The weather became quite warm, and I found myself struggling to stay awake while walking.  It was the same feeling I get trying to drive after eating.  After fighting this for a mile and a half, I finally gave in at the side trail to the Pogo Memorial Campsite.  I took out my little sitting mat, found a pretty flat grassy area, and took a nap.  I slept maybe a half an hour when I was awoken by the voices of Gravity and Ralph.  They did not see me and would have gone right by if I hadn't woken up.  I am considering building nap time into my daily schedule on hot days, since I felt much better after my snooze.  It was a good thing I became more alert because Miss Maryland, not wanting to leave all of the fun to her sisters, decided to get all rocky and scrambly on us. The next few miles of trail rivaled the best (or worst) of the rocky trail I have seen. To add extra zest, a thunderstorm began, and the rocks got wet and slippery.  The storm never really amounted to much, and we hiked in sporadic rain the rest of the way. As Ralph and I were climbing one hill, I got to see my second rattlesnake.  This one was a brown timber rattler who must have been approaching the trail as I walked by.  I heard the rattling just behind me on my left, before the snake was on the trail and quite loudly announcing to Ralph that he was an unwelcome visitor.  Unfortunately my phone was in my belt pouch protecting it from the rain, so I couldn't get a picture.  His dignity intact, the rattlesnake quickly slithered off the trail and into the brush. We soon arrived at the Ensign Cowall Shelter Tent Site and decided that we'd had enough hiking for one day.  It was only a bit after five, and we enjoyed a leisurely supper before getting an early bedtime.  We visited with Pippi and JC before we all headed for our tents and bed.  We have 12.4 miles to road PA 16 tomorrow, where we will get a shuttle into Waynesboro for resupply. We'll be saying goodbye to Ralph, although he said he may try to meet up with us for more fun and adventure later in the hike. It was a day of varied experiences, with a mix of sun and rain, man-made and natural attractions,  and easy and very challeging trail conditions. We are a tad shy of ten miles to the state border, where we will say goodbye to Maryland and hello to Pennsylvania as we cross the Mason-Dixon Line.  Except for the heat, I have really enjoyed Maryland, and I'm looking forward to beginning State Number Seven tomorrow.