Jun 5 - Maryland

DAY #81
START LOCATION: C&O Canal Towpath Stealth Campsite
FINISH LOCATION: Sandy Hook Bridge/US-340/Harpers Ferry Hostel
TODAY'S MILEAGE: 1.1
TRIP MILEAGE: 1,015.4
MILES TO GO: 1,163.7

Smokestack and I were serenaded by CSX freight trains and their air
horns every half hour, all night. Plus, we camped right next to the
Chesapeake and Ohio Towpath which is a very popular bicycle trail
shared with the AT for nearly 3 miles. There were cyclists riding by
all night as well. We didn't get the best sleep.

We broke down camp around 7AM and headed back to Harpers Ferry to kill
time until my cousins arrived. We grabbed coffee at a place just
opening up. The proprietor there was very cool. We were talking about
our day and our need to find a place to do laundry and shower. She
offered the use of a shower unit on the second floor in the building
her cafe was located for us to use. It was a very kind gesture, but we
had to have clean clothes to get into for something like that to be
viable. We declined but thanked her for her hospitality nonetheless.

My cousins Christen, Nick and Lori and Nick and Lori's baby daughter
Emma arrived right on time... Emma is getting so big and is absolutely
adorable. We rolled over to the Country Cafe in Harpers Ferry for some
breakfast. We caught up on all their goings on and shared our trail
stories. It was so great to spend time with them.

We headed over to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy Headquarters
building for Smokestack and I to officially register our thru-hike
status. Inside we found a small museum and gift shop dedicated to all
things AT. We looked around, signed the register and had our official
photos taken. Smokestack is officially recorded as Thru-Hiker No. 221
and I am registered as No. 222 for the 2010 Northbounders. It was a
special moment, especially to have family there with me. We got group
photos too. Christen did a fantastic job with her camera once again.

We then headed over to the Food Lion in Charles Town, WV and the
cuzzes even accompanied us on our resupply run. It was fun to let them
experience the resupply realities we face... Fatty, light, compact,
durable foods that can handle the rigors of hiking and not make a mess
of your pack.

We said our goodbyes around noon and Nick and Lori dropped us off at
the Outfitters at Harpers Ferry. There I bought my second pair of
Superfeet inserts. I had put 500 too many miles on the pair I started
with. So, those were retired and the employee helped me find the pair
I needed. From there I also mailed home 2lb 11oz worth of stuff that
had been accumulating in my pack. I could feel the difference. I'm
significantly lighter now and have new foot support...Ready for the
north.

Smoke and I decided that the afternoon rain, the lack of laundromats
in town and the need for a shower justified the $20 per night hostel
just north of Harpers.

The Harpers Ferry Hostel is the first one that we've encountered
that's a Hostelling International member, therefore it is very
comfortable and well run. I got a shower, laundry and a delicious
steak and cheese for dinner, delivered. It was just what we needed to
tackle what we plan on being our biggest day yet tomorrow... 26 miles.
We should, considering today was one of our shortest. Bring on Maryland!

-natedog