Kirby, Warthog, and I were dropped back off to the trail by Momma Wonder at 11a. Warthog had to run to the post office real quick and did that while Kirby and I waited up the hill at the Appalachian Trail Conservancy Headquarters. While we were waiting the most bizarre thing happened. A woman in a minivan stopped in the street, looked at us, rolled down her window, and proceeded to whisper something to us. We got a little closer and I heard her mumble something like, “You aren’t from around here are you?” Always a scary thing to hear. Then, “Be careful, they steal.” She gestured her head down the street towards the hikers outside of the headquarters. She was still whispering. We were fully in the street and getting close to her window. I kept thinking, “I hope she’s not trying to draw us in for people to grab us.” That’s the paranoid personality that I have. Luckily, no one jumped out. At some point I think it dawned on her we were also hikers, that or she gave up on us, and she drove off just as abruptly as she stopped. We were left standing shocked in the center of the street, still not really sure what in the world she was trying to tell us. Another crazy story for the books!
Shortly after that incident, Warthog arrived and we headed back on the trail into the town of Harpers Ferry. We had to stop at the outfitters store before we left, making itfirst on our itinerary. As we were there, another hiker asked if any of us needed to split toilet paper. That might seem absurd to most, but to hikers, it makes total sense. Kirby needed some, so they each took an end and rolled – right on the streets of downtown. Ah… hiker trash. I love it!
After the outfitters we grabbed some lunch to go. By then Snow Monkey and Wonder Woman had caught up. It was midday/early afternoon before we were actually heading back out onto the AT. Just passed the town the trail runs along side of a wide river – one that people will raft down. We made it a whopping .3 miles when I saw a spot where the trees opened up and there was beach. I jokingly suggested we stop and much to my surprise, everyone was game for the idea! So, we climbed down the short rock wall to the beach and spent the entire afternoon there. Most people slept. I did too for a bit and then continued to work on posting photos and the journal entries.
It felt like a mini vacation on that beach. “Lovely” doesn’t even begin to describe it. We decided we wanted to camp there. Then we decided we wanted hot dogs too. Warthog and Snow Monkey walked back into town to grab supplies for beach hot dogs. When he got back, Warthog made seats out of rocks for everyone around the fire ring. It was so much fun.
After dark the fire was started. Kirby had sharpened some sticks and we roasted dogs. In celebration of being almost halfway, Snow Monkey and Wonder Woman brought back some fine cigars from their last trip home. The guys took their time, savoring the special treat and everything that their cigars celebrated. Over a thousand miles of adventure, over 800 miles of friendship, and another thousand plus to go of the same.
It was around 10p or so when we decided to go to bed. Warthog was excited to be sleeping on soft sand. He wasn’t so worried about his deflating sleeping pad tonight. There was a gentle breeze coming off of the river and a soft lapping noise from waves generated by the rapids. The sky was mostly clear and filled with stars. Fireflies hung in the air, sporadically lighting up. It was probably the night that has reminded me of summertime in Michigan the most, leaving me with the feelings and memories of the comfort of home.
-ansel