June 13, 2001
Crossed the Pen-Mar state line today. After being in Virginia so long, suddenly I'm in state #7. Norway and I were joking bout the trail turning into a rocky streambed at the state line because all the rumors about Pennsylvania's sharp rocks. Imagine my horror when the last few miles of Maryland were rocky. Luckily, they didn't last. PA's gateway has been flat and smooth. There's a marked difference in the forest. Trees seem closer together with a greater mix of pines with the hardwoods. It's beautiful. Maybe it was crossing the Mason-Dixon line, which was labeled, rather than the state line. The woods get thicker and the pronunciation changes from 'Appalatchin to Appalayshun'.
Since Northern Virginia we've been walking through the history of the civil war. We followed a wall of the Confederate barracks for 27 miles. Harpers Ferry was a big deal too, with all the ancient churches and buildings restored and labeled.
Today we crossed the Antietam River and passed a shelter named for it. One of the bloodiest battles in one of the most beautiful places I've encountered.
Saw the sunset in a glowing ball o fire through the tree tops tonight. Another late evening into camp after 24 miles. One more heavy day tomorrow. Twenty-two miles puts me at Pine Grove Furnace, the half way point and the Half Gallon challenge. Then I'm taking the weekend off to climb and/or paddle.
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