Three or four miles left of the roller coaster! It was more tough climbs and descents before making it to the Bear's Den hostel. We should've pressed on to stay there last night - it was amazing! It's an old stone mansion that has been converted into a lovely hostel supported by the ATC. There's a hiker deal for $27 that includes a bunk, shower, laundry, clothes to wear while your laundry gets cleaned, a medium pizza, a pint of Ben & Jerry's ice cream, and a soda. What a deal!! I caught up with Little Foot here, and we had a short break before pressing on. I'll have to go back to this Bear's Den haven sometime...
Onwards in the heat! Thankfully we finished the roller coaster and we sailed over smooth flats and slight inclines and declines. The only problem was the heat and the lack of breeze. Then we passed 1000 miles!! There wasn't a sign (it moves every year with trail maintenance and changes), but someone had written 1000 in the dirt with small rocks. Wow, what a milestone. I've WALKED one THOUSAND miles?! Hard to grasp, but it's true.
So, after a high five and a photo, we had to stop for water and the only places to do so were off the trail. We stopped at the Blackburn AT Center which was .3 miles straight downhill. But the place was really nice with a gorgeous view, and this one was free for thru hikers. I hate passing up on a great place to stay and we've done it TWICE today!!?! We saw Stickwalker at the center and, after climbing back up the hill with full water, we saw Powder and Russell. Little Foot and I were going to continue to gun it all the way to Harpers Ferry to try to make it to the ATC before they closed at 5pm. This was gonna be a bit if a stretch, and we'd have to walk at a solid 3.5 mph pace to do it. It was very hot out, but we sprinted for two hours to make it to Keyes Gap and the VA - WV state line. We weren't going to make it by 5pm. I called the ATC to see if maybe they could stay open a bit longer, and Laurie said she'd be there until 6, so it wouldn't be a problem. Awesome!
We slowed down in a bit on the last 5 miles and made it to the river. Oh Shenandoah! We hoofed it over and made it to the ATC by 5:30, and Little Foot's friend Brian was there waiting. Little Foot lives just over the river in Knoxville, MD, so he's a local to these parts.
We got our photos taken at the ATC and talked to the volunteers a bit. They keep photo books of all the hikers who cone through, so we could check to see who was out ahead of us, and we could see their real names and emails. Helpful!
The three of us headed back to the trail to walk into town, and we stopped in for a beer after spotting Roadrunner in the street. Paul Bunyan was in the pub with his folks. I love just walking around town and seeing people I know! After our beer, we walked back to the trail end of town and spotted Neutron who had just arrived. I hadn't seen him or Xan all day! We stopped there to chat until Xan and Powder showed up. Then we chatted some more while London Joe, Red Lobstah, Roadrunner and his wife hung out. It was a big ole group of us. Around 8:30, we finally decided that we should get the last 3 miles over with and get to the dinner that Little Foot's parents were making.
It was a quick last few miles along the old canal (flat!), and we rolled in close to 10pm. Burgers! Chicken! Hot dogs! Little Foot's parents welcomed us with open arms, platefulls of food, and air-conditioning. We showered up and ate till we were all full and we didn't last much longer after 50 miles in two days... Bedtime for all! (and I got Little Foot's sister's room and bed - aw yeah!)
We all plan to wake up to watch USA play Algeria at 9:30. Come on, USA!
(24.7)
-- Posted from the trail...
Location:Little Foot's House in Knoxville, MD
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