“My Journey Is My Destination...” continued
Day 96 43.6 miles Virginia State Line
Today I hike for "Snacktime," He is getting back on the trail at Bear Mtn.
Tuesday after injuring his knee earlier in his trip.
I hope he'll make it all the way. He has been positive through all of this. It says a lot about who he is.
I woke up this morning at 3:30 a.m., headed out at 4 a.m. It was too early for me to eat. I walked directly into Maryland. It was as rocky as PA. I was sweating climbing in my light bubble. I was about 3 miles in when a guy 15 feet to my left sat up and said, "Mitch." I said "no, but you scared me to death". He said "No, you're Mitch." I told him I wasn't who he thought I was. Apparently he and his buddies got drunk. He got lost, laid down and went to sleep. I told him to "have a good one" and moved on. I sat down before dawn and took a 15- minute nap. I spent all day walking, filling up on water, and eating, just feeding the
machine.
Later I ran into another SOBO named 'Cat.' She was hiking with friends. She was pretty quiet and did not share much info. I crossed the Highway 77 bridge and danced and shook for the cars driving under.
A few honked and gave a wave. An hour before dark I stopped at Crampton Gap, at 30.9 miles. I met a section hiker who was waiting on a taxi because of stomach problems. I met two other SOBO's, 'Skeeter' and 'Puck,' now 'Johnny Appleseed' and 'Puck.'
I haven't seen these guys since ME. I can't believe they're still out here. I figured they'd quit because they are from ME and so far away from home. They've been walking the last few days with a group of women who are raising
money for breast cancer research; "hiking for Ta-Ta's" these women will tell
you.
Their husbands bring food to the road crossing every night. So 'Puck' and 'Appleseed' take advantage.
As for me, I hiked on with 12 miles to go. It soon got dark. I was in my light bubble again. I saw my first fox. The deer,
fox, and even spider eyes reflect brightly with the LED headlamp.
The moon rose just short of full. I walked a flat 3 miles on the C&O towpath by moonlight into Harper's Ferry, WV, along the Potomac River. By that time my ankles hurt, my body was near the end. I crossed the railroad bridge into Harper's Ferry.
My first impression was that I had been transported back in time. Cobble stone streets, no cars, and the buildings were of the Civil War period. Not a person around. I followed the AT signs up the hill. I had had enough and sat down in front of
the church.
I had been walking for 18.5 hours. A guy walked around the corner, asked if I was hiking, then asked if I wanted to
sit at his place to take a break.
I said no at first, in keeping with my "4 state challenge." Then I thought to myself, "that not taking a break was crazy." I told him "let's go." He lived about in a loft apartment in the historic district.
His name was Brice. Around his apartment were photographs of old blues players, himself, a girl, and
a few artistic shots.
He was packing his pack to hike a few days on the AT. He is planning a thru hike in 2009. "Money" has it on hold. We swapped hiker stories, NPR, music, and good vibes. He ended up playing solo blues guitar over pre recorded rhythm tracks he had
laid.
At that moment I decided everything was perfect with this day. I felt good about everything. When he finished playing I told him I could not have written a better story than
what happened here tonight.
We talked more and then about 12:45 a.m. I headed back out to complete my goal. I went up to the Appalachian Trail Headquarters to register. I left a note at the door to sign me in. I found later I would be number "45" on
the SOBO list.
I headed out of town by moonlight, realizing that Brice was the only living
person I had seen in Harper's Ferry.
I climbed 900 feet to the state line of WV and VA. I set my tent on the ridge; I of course, slept on the VA side. It was 2:30 a.m. I had accomplished my goal. <<<back
