Waynesboro, VA to Harpers Ferry, WV: 861.7-1023.4

C’mon, sing along with us:  “well, we have walked a thousand miles, and we will walk a thousand more….”  (& then we’ll only have 189.2 left to get to Katahdin…)  

This leg of our journey began in the hiker-friendly town of Waynesboro, VA, where the YMCA let us shower for free and there’s a special park where hikers can set up camp.  We had a delicious encore of Grandma and Grandpa Potato kindness when they set up a table full of brisket and pineapple stuffing for us to spend a lazy afternoon fortifying ourselves.

Then it was up into Shenandoah National Park.  I have to say, it felt like a busman’s holiday.  The trails were flatter, wider, weedwacked (!).  There were “wayside” restaurants every other day with blackberry milkshakes, electrical outlets, and plumbing (what more could we ask for?!).   Mya was a huge hit with the tourists: she must’ve gotten her photo snapped at least 8 times.  We were actually pointed at across parking lots (“look, honey, real thru-hikers!”).  We enjoyed perfect weather, though wildfire smoke from western Canada blew our way via jet stream and gave us smoky smells and vistas for two days.  

After the Park ended in Front Royal, VA, it was 2 1/2 more days into the iconic town of Harpers Ferry.  (2 1/2 rugged, rather painful on the knees and shins days; see the map below).  Harpers Ferry, at mile mark 1023 is the honorary half-way point of the AT.  The “real” half-way point is another 70-ish miles down the trail in PA and changes annually due to trail re-routes.  But the AT Conservancy is in Harpers Ferry.  It’s where we registered for the second time and our photo added to a big black binder of fellow hikers.   When we registered for the first time, in Georgia at Amicalola State Park, we were #787 and #788.  (Though many folks don’t register there at all, so it’s not a very accurate count of who’s starting).  We’re now northbound 2015 hikers # 602 & 603 & 603.5….but who’s counting…   

After registering, we hiked the last half mile into the Revolutionary War era town of Harpers Ferry.  There’s nothing like civilization to make us realize the state we’re in:  covered in grimy muggy sweat, poison ivy, bug bites, mud smeared calves, no shower since that wonderful Waynesboro Y, tired, hungry, and hurting….and it was then and there that we were scooped up by Clover’s Uncle Tom.  He politely asked which one of us had been sprayed by a skunk…. Only family would put us in their (new!! Omg!!!) car and whisk us away to a shower and a bed.  It’s 2 days later and we’re still lying here….almost ready to get back to it…almost….but I think I’ll go take another shower first…oh, and when’s lunch?!?   

Brisket in the shade with The Potatos, Laces & Pacecar

     

Mya showing off


Nobo turtle!

 

A beautiful breakfast spot: mile 900.4

 

We saw 5 bears!!! This was not one of them. We had to borrow this picture from Cold Potato because we didnt get any good ones…(thx Potato!)

  

Fawn photo reprise: off the cute-meter!

 

ahhh the well mantained/weed wacked trails of the SNP

   

thanks weed wacker man!

 

“smoky” mountains… Canadian wildfires and jet streams created some smoky views

  

home sweet home in the shebandoah forest

    

They give you a math equation to determine how strenuous your planned hike is. >240 is considered strenuous. The AT is >4000…..heh heh heh

     

the tourists loved Mya

 

who put this road (skyline drive) in my forest?

   

Out of the Shenandoahs and into “The Roller coaster”

not as fun as you’d think

Virginia is 500 miles of trail ( almost 1/4 of the whole AT). And It. Is. Done!

  

flat trail does not equal easy trail. mind your ankles and into Harpers Ferry we go!

  

We made it! Still smiling!!

  

#602, 603 & 603.5

 

Thanks Uncle Tommy for the wonderful hospitality and time to relax!!

Also for those of you who wish to know out next mail drop is…

Mike Risano (hold for AT hiker)
C/o Doyle Hotel
7 north market st
Duncannon, PA 17020

Our ETA will be june 24-25

Thanks for reading

4 Responses to “ Waynesboro, VA to Harpers Ferry, WV: 861.7-1023.4 ”

  1. You are clearly having a wonderful time, all I know is every once in a while someone at Duffy says, “well, Su is coming back…” and we all cheer!!! Miss you!

  2. Miss you everyday Su!!! Your patients are psyched that you are coming back- we are already filling your schedule- haha!! Just kidding 🙂

  3. Jane de Groot and Dan Dray

    You guys are so lucky! Love your posts and photos. Sounds like you’re right on schedule time-wise. You’re missing a nice but cool summer so far on the Cape. Still dropping into the 50’s at night. March on!

  4. Hooray for you! Everything looks so amazing! Can’t wait to hear all about it–xoxoxosr

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