Origin: Blackburn AT Center
Destination: Potomac River, Maryland border
Today's miles: 12.8
Total miles: 1,020.3
Magge wasn't going to get to Harpers Ferry until 1:30pm, and given the nasty weather, I wasn't in a hurry to get up and start walking. As a result, I got a later-than-usual start, leaving the Blackburn Center at 8:20am. My knee was in pain and stiff from the previous day, but I took an Aleve and once it warmed up I could walk nearly normally, albeit while sometimes gritting my teeth. Walking briskly through the rain, I arrived in Harpers Ferry in four hours and took a bit of time to walk through the historic town. It's a neat place in a beautiful location, and it had a surprisingly large number of visitors walking around despite the inclement weather. With a bit of extra time to kill before Magge arrived, I decided to walk across the Potomac River, so now I can say I hiked from Georgia to Maryland, instead of just to West Virginia.
Once Magge arrived, we visited the Appalachian Trail Conservancy headquarters, where I registered my hike and we became members. We had an amazing experience on the trail (yes, even Magge says she did) and volunteers helped make it happen, so we want to be able to contribute going forward. Afterwards, we walked around the old town for a while, ate lunch and then made the six hour drive home.
Just like that, my journey is over. I wish I had the time to complete a thru-hike, but I can't complain with being able to complete over 1,000 miles. Perhaps I'll come back to finish it, but thru-hiking the PCT or maybe even New Zealand's Te Araroa Trail, depending on where I'm living next time I can take this much time off, is on my bucket list and a priority.
I'll make a few more posts over the next week or so, mostly to finally share some of the pictures taken with the camera.
Magge wasn't going to get to Harpers Ferry until 1:30pm, and given the nasty weather, I wasn't in a hurry to get up and start walking. As a result, I got a later-than-usual start, leaving the Blackburn Center at 8:20am. My knee was in pain and stiff from the previous day, but I took an Aleve and once it warmed up I could walk nearly normally, albeit while sometimes gritting my teeth. Walking briskly through the rain, I arrived in Harpers Ferry in four hours and took a bit of time to walk through the historic town. It's a neat place in a beautiful location, and it had a surprisingly large number of visitors walking around despite the inclement weather. With a bit of extra time to kill before Magge arrived, I decided to walk across the Potomac River, so now I can say I hiked from Georgia to Maryland, instead of just to West Virginia.
Once Magge arrived, we visited the Appalachian Trail Conservancy headquarters, where I registered my hike and we became members. We had an amazing experience on the trail (yes, even Magge says she did) and volunteers helped make it happen, so we want to be able to contribute going forward. Afterwards, we walked around the old town for a while, ate lunch and then made the six hour drive home.
Just like that, my journey is over. I wish I had the time to complete a thru-hike, but I can't complain with being able to complete over 1,000 miles. Perhaps I'll come back to finish it, but thru-hiking the PCT or maybe even New Zealand's Te Araroa Trail, depending on where I'm living next time I can take this much time off, is on my bucket list and a priority.
I'll make a few more posts over the next week or so, mostly to finally share some of the pictures taken with the camera.
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| This sign is short-changing me six miles |
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| Magge looking across the Potomac to Maryland |
Yes, just like that you walked 1020 miles and the trip is over! You make it sound like it was a walk in the park. :) I know there will be many more great hiking trips in your future and I will be there to follow you very step of the way. Thanks for all the great posts.
ReplyDeleteTrail complete. Now stories and tales from the AT.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this experience.
Enjoyed the stuffings out of your adventure from my arm chair :o). So happy you both are home safe and sound. Love you dearly
ReplyDelete