July 9 Mile 1014

Still in Harpers Ferry. Still feeling weak from the stomach bug and glad I'm not hiking today. The temps have decreased and the tourists have increased. Below our hostel each night a guy dressed as John Brown leads folks on a ghost tour of the town. We get to hear his introduction and his conclusion for free from the hostel balcony. He moves on thru the town for his better stories. At his conclusion he sings "John Brown's body lies amouldering in the grave" . This afternoon he was below us playing Civil War songs on a piano.
Time to move on. Cisco did a bunch of detailed trail calculations today, conferring with the Internet, on our past speed and what we can hope to accomplish going forward. Different speeds for different terrains coming up. We have 1165 miles to go by October 15, when the end park-Baxter Park- in Maine closes. Should be able to make it, but we have to keep moving. The next 550 miles is an accommodating landscape we are told, after that is 350 plus miles of big tough boulder mtns where you are lucky to do 10 miles a day-Vermont and New Hampshire. After that, Maine. With lots of miles-and an area called the 100 Mile Wilderness- with no amenities.
I hope to feel better tomorrow for the hike out. But, feel better or not, we have to go. No more room in  this inn.


Sent from my iPhone