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Journal
| About Downunda | Trail
Facts | Hiking the Trail |
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9th June 2002 From:
Harper's Ferry 'Real' and I started out at 5:45 A.M. as the AT took us across the Potomac River via a footbridge. Once over the river, we followed the old C&O Canal, which was used early this century to move good inland via barges towed by horses on the adjacent towpath. The success of the railway made the canal networks redundant. The AT for the next three miles was the old towpath. To give some perspective, the Potomac River was on my right, immediately to my left was the old canal, and to the left of that was the railway line. It was great hiking alongside the Potomac for three miles and it look terrific so early in the morning. I forgot to mention that 'Digger' and 'Droopy' (and Marley, the dog) also camped with us in Dean's and Steve's backyard. They are waiting to get 'Digger' to a medical clinic as he has a bull's-eye welt on his backside and that is one of the indicators of Lyme disease. So, as today is Sunday, they have to wait until tomorrow to go to a nearby town to see a doctor and get a blood test. During late morning, the AT passed through the Gathland State Park. We stopped, as there was soda machine. While we were drinking our sodas, a group of cyclists from a Baltimore Cycling Club stopped to use the restrooms and get drinks. As it happened, one of the young guys was an Australian from Bunbury W.A. who was working in Baltimore…..small world. As it turns out, I have already left West Virginia and am now in Maryland and will be for the next few days; so much for my knowledge of the AT through West Virginia. I had intended to hike to the Rocky Run Shelter today, which was 15 miles, then I spotted in my guidebook that there was the Dahlgren Backpacker's Camping Area two miles further on. It said picnic tables and hot showers - FREE. So that's where I ended up. I'll close off now and say goodnight all. |
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