July 11 Mile 1048

Got up early at Rich's house. He set us up with a great breakfast, and then very kindly drove up back to the trail. We appreciate so much the help Rich gave us. It allowed us to have a really good dinner and breakfast, get resupplied, take a shower and sleep in a very nice bed. Plus it was terrific to see Rich and catch up on all he has been doing. Thank you, Rich!
Back to the trail and we hiked off with a plan to do 17-18 miles. The weather was very good - clear skies and below 70 degrees to start the day. The only thing that wasn't good was me. While I has gotten over the bug, I still didn't feel 100%. Kind of put me in a crabby mood. Cisco was very kind all day and hiked with me the entire time, as I felt I was very pokey.
After the first two miles we came to the Washington Monument- not the one in DC of course, but right here in Maryland just north of US 40A. It was a cool stone barrel shaped structure that you could go inside and climb to the top, like you would in a lighthouse. Nice view from the top. Built in 1827, and later used by Union forces as a signal tower. Been restored several times over the years.
I wondered where they got all the cool rock to build it. Didn't take long to find out- they got it off the trail! All day after that we hiked through rock and boulder fields. People said Md was easy. No easy trails out here, I guess. Rock, rock, rock.
When we stopped to eat lunch, sitting on a big rock, of course, one of the trail overseers ( first time I ever met one out here) told of a great camping spot with water- water here is as scarce as rocks are plentiful. So we hiked on and found the spot under some huge, but dying hemlock trees with a spring nearby. Perfect camping and perfect weather at the end of the day. A place called Warners Gap. Built a fire, made tea, and ate the luncheon meat we had bought the night before and froze at Rich's house. Fresh meat is rare out here, but very tasty!
Cause it was a Sunday and we are in a suburban area with lots of roads close to the trail, there were many day hikers out on the AT. A father and little girl of about 6 years old, wearing no pack passed us going south. As she passed she looked up at me and said " I'm tired!" We replied, " we are, too!"
Later, we were talking to a local hiker and he told us that this past June was the warmest in the last 30 years or so and very dry. Also, our temps in Harpers Ferry were record setters. I certainly believe it!



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