Today is exciting! For the first time since I went to Amicalola Falls, so many moons ago, I’m seeing some friends outside Trail! Madi and Olivia have been my boxes in recent months: they are the ones that carry the things I send home and are the ones that currently take care of the love of my life, my Kainé cat! One of his parents actually lives near Harrisburg, but due to some plans they have, and I went to the days of paths, I could not reach Duncannon/Biring Springs at the right time for everything to work. Even so, Harpers Ferry is not far away … so we did it.
When I got up, Daredevil, Mr. Shorty, Wingin-T and Peanut were preparing to enter their uber to go to DC. I was a little jealous, but I also like to stay in the small cities for now. After the hustle and bustle of the days of trails, and the day of the fallen in the Shenondoahs, I enjoyed the life in the Appalaches of the small city.
I spent the morning cleaning other tasks while waiting for them to arrive. Yesterday, in the hiker box, I found some dehydrated beans of some kind, and put them in my talent bottle just to see how they knew when they have submerged. I don’t have high expectations, but hey, I have to try at least, right? I also spent time together, planning the next few days and taking stock of my food bag. From Waynesboro, I feel that I have been running with more and less food than I am used to, thanks to all restaurants and the replenishment on the path that has been available.
Around 9:45, they stopped! 301 from the house halfway they let them park in the back, and we ran through the city. First, I took them to Snallygasters Cafe and Wine Bar, since last night I looked out that they had a breakfast menu. Some of the waiters reminded me and took our order. They had a fairly big race for Sunday after Memorial Day, I thought that most tourists would have been tourists after last weekend. I grabbed a hash and a coffee with milk, and we spent time catching up with what has been happening. Recently, they visited the White Mountains to make an escalation trip with my friends in Boston, and caught them in things between the publications of my blog and now, as well as things that I could have forgotten, or not share, or simply general thoughts on the path.
Then, to the Bolivar Breead bakery, where we grab some baguettes. As the bakery will be closed tomorrow, I also took an extra bread to pack. I know it will probably end hard, but I still think it will be worth it. They also had a bread of «tears», which was fun and still very delicious! We also stopped at the ATC, where I showed them my photo and the photos of the hikers who had registered before I had met along the way. It was great to brow them and share the names of the people who cared so.
Originally, he had suggested walking on the path with them, but did not end up working … or did they? I took them for the blue fire … and I surprised them with a walk through the at! Only the average mile or so from the ATC HQ Devivir points to the lower ferry Harpers … And it was surprising! While last year, I had seen some Vlogs and read some blogs to prepare, I never had the power to see/read after Hot Springs. After all, I wanted to surprise me! So I was surprised that Harpers not only was a national historical park, but much of its history was on its way. Jefferson Rock and the Roman Catholic Church of San Pedro were great … and both were full of tourists. I didn’t care, but I didn’t expect it! I just didn’t know.
When we got into Lower Harpers Ferry, I was surprised by the amount of story that had happened here. We spent time weaving through museums and shops, and I enjoyed playing tourist for the day! Battle Grounds Bakery & Coffee provided us with an impulse in the middle of the morning, since Olivia and I received lemonades from Blackberry, while Madi took a peach tea. In the Harpers Ferry Outfitters, we find marbles, wing and hamburger one last time before returning to Pen Mar to start walking again.
There really is no easy way to describe what we did on the visit that is not to list where we were to be honest. Friends to catch up is personal! I talked to them about the good, the bad, the ugly of the path. Apparently, my cat has been an angel under his care. I am not surprised, she was also an angel with me, but it is still good to listen.
We had lunch at the Coach House Bar & Grill … where, for some reason, forgot the dressing of my salad? Sure.
After a moment, we returned along the main road back to the Ferry of Upper Harpers, which is the route that I will return to Sendero tomorrow, since I had already linked the other white lights. Back in the shelter, we take care of some tasks very fast. They brought my Nixwax Tech and permethrin washing that I had at home, and quickly made a rinse of my store and sprinkle my clothes with the permethrin. According to reports, ticks get worse in Pennsylvania … so I have to be ready. Technological washing is supposed to restore some DWR/waterproofing properties, but as previously covered, I don’t really need waterproofing. It is also only a softer soap, and I used it to try to wash my store a bit. I did not get a complete soaking/rinse cycle, but at least I tried to obtain some of the events that accumulate for 2 months. Some dead insects and a lot of land broke out. Honestly, rinsing my store is a task that I need to take more in the shelters. The maintenance of the equipment that saves my life is important!
Then we conducted Walmart, where I grabbed a rather heavy resource of a day. Most likely, I will try to get hooked to Waynesboro, PA (yes, it is confusing) of Pen Mar in two days, so I didn’t need much. The worst reaches the worst, I could probably also get to Pine Grove before obtaining real refueling in boiling springs. In addition, it seems that there are … some food options on the way at this time. I did not expect this great civilization near the path! It is a fun transposition of expectations. When I started, and I entered hostel every few days, that is what I expected, but everyone else expected it to be bad in the forest for a longer time. Now, I am the one in shock in the amount of infrastructure that will be.
I also took some of Lao Gan Chili Crisp for the first time on the road, and put it in a small plastic container. That is advice thanks to Critter (whom I met at Sam’s Gap Waaayy before Erwin, and I have not seen again). Hopefully this drives some of those recipes based on beans that I have been thinking about.
Unfortunately, or Walmart, Walgreens or CVS have Dr. Bronners, but fortunately the outfitter did it, so we quickly took some, before returning to Charles Town to finish my zero in Ginza Japanese Grill.
An interesting mental experiment continued from this: many during the path have always asked if I have walked another long distance path or plan to do it. After all, I have that ultralight kit that shows «experience», right? But … something that I love that is exclusive to AT is the culture of the path. I like to have the shelters, the city is eagerly craved and be isolated in nature, but then build that community in shelters, shelters, villages, etc. I don’t think I would enjoy isolation and nature so much … I really don’t enjoy walking inherently as others. In a way, that is my strength along the way. I did not love walking like a hobby, but now that it is a job, it was not ruined. (I like to walk! Just no love). Meanwhile, both others expressed some interest in the PCT since it would be … different! Once changing, and a different culture from those of the east coast in which they grew. I just don’t know how much I would like a path without shelters. It is interesting to chew …
They left me, and after some logistics mishaps (I forgot to give them something, and somehow losing my phone), they were the first to sign my package! In advance, my house friends had signed a bottle of smartwater, but by day 8, the Sharpie had worn out. I hope that signing my package is a bit more permanent.
I spent the rest of the night doing homework, listening to the other children talk about their zero in DC. But after a whirlwind, all I wanted to do was sleep. It will be difficult to return to the horse tomorrow. But we have to walk north.
The real halfway is approaching. I’m ready.
(Title lyrics by: John Brown’s Body, Pete Seeger)
