Day 100

I had a great zero yesterday. Generic came out to meet me and we had lunch then she drove me around showing me the sites that I’d be hiking around. She also brought sodas so we could give them to hikers as trail magic and she brought me my favorite on trail, Cherry Coke. So today started nice. It’s wasn’t too hot while I walked through Harper’s Ferry again, this time officially with my pack on walking the trail and recording my track for the Relive video. There wasn’t a State sign but as soon as I crossed the bridge, I was in Maryland. The first 3 miles or so was on a nice gravel trail that was obviously very popular for bicyclists. The rest of the day was just a very gradual trail making the hike today the easiest I’ve had in a long time. It would have been perfect if not for the 90 degree heat and the ever constant gnats hovering in front of your eyes and the bigger flies dive bombing the top of your head. It’s enough to drive you mad! It’s pointless to swat them away as they instantly come back but you do anyway. Every time I would zone out in my head, I’d be surprised by something on trail. First it was a box turtle. Then it was a deer on trail. Lastly, I almost stepped on a snake that was just stretched across the trail on a rock not moving. It didn’t seem to care I was walking around it or anything. It was a small rat snake so it’s a good snake. Not venomous and eats mice. It needs to go to a shelter. A thunderstorm was headed my way when I still had a little over a mile to go to camp so I booked it. I made it just in time and got the tent up and jumped in just when the sky opened up and heavy rain poured with thunder cracks. Luckily, it went by quickly and then I was able to get out and do a better job tightening my guy lines on the tent, eat dinner and take some pictures of this campground. It’s called Dahlgren Backpack Campground. It’s intended just for backpackers. There’s about 6 tent pads each with a fire pit and a picnic table, there’s a bear pole to hang your food and a bathroom building with flushing toilets and hot showers that are even stocked with soap and shampoo. Best part is that it’s FREE! A ranger came by right before the storm hit just to check up on everything. Maryland, so far you are getting a big two thumbs up from me! I’m sooo happy I got a nice hot shower after today’s hike and now I get to sleep in my tent all comfy and clean. Only problem is… I have to leave here tomorrow. LOL!