Day 101

First thing in the morning, I start hiking out from the campsite and a fawn jumps out of the bushes and runs off. Too fast for me to get it on camera. I didn’t see it’s momma so that’s concerning. Never seen a fawn without being near its mom. Quite a few miles away I did come by a deer just standing there looking at me. Got a nice video of it just standing there turning its head to watch me as I walk around it. The deer up here definitely have no fear of humans. So I walked by the original Washington monument and completely missed it. I realized it 1.8 miles past and definitely was not going to turn around. I was talking with a fellow hiker I had just met and didn’t see if there was a side trail or if I literally walked right past it. I’m kicking myself for that one as I wanted a picture of it. Later, I met an Army troop on a morning hike. I believe they said they were the 131st Airborne. I thanked them for their service and then had to jokingly make a comment that even though they were in camo, if they tried to hide from me I’d probably find about half of them. Lol! I could smell and track their cologne and laundry detergent. Damn, they all smelled good. The weather and trail today was amazing. Maryland has the nicest, most gradual trail yet and as for the weather, it was sunny, and 70 degrees and a cool breeze. Even the bugs seemed to be less. I stopped at Black Rock Cliffs and it was an excellent lunch spot! Food with a view! Lots of farm lands down there. I had a few road crossings that were sketchy as you couldn’t see far around the corner and cars would zoom by quickly. After the last one, I had the biggest climb of the day and I had to carry water up. Sounds like I have quite a water carry tomorrow but I should have at least my 700ml bottle full in the morning. I’d like to keep from going to the water source here at the Raven Rock Shelter. It’s .3 down to it and I hear it’s a trek. I think I should be okay. So this shelter is at mile mark 1,062.5. I’m hoping to do a 20 mile day tomorrow to a shelter at 1,082.2. Before I get there, I’ll be crossing the Mason-Dixon Line, which is also the border into Pennsylvania. That’s in 4.9 miles so that will happen in the morning. Maryland was a small State but I loved the trail and it along with the shelters and campgrounds are well taken care of. I’d happily hike Maryland again. I can see why there are so many weekend warriors at this shelter tonight. Sunday I’ll be crossing the true halfway point, which would be mile 1,097.15. I’m proud of myself for every step I take and every day I’m out here but the halfway point is going to be a special achievement and I’m excited to hit it. I hope all the weekend warriors camped around me aren’t too loud tonight having fun because I’m going to bed early so I can get up early and get a jump on the 20 miles tomorrow. The next 5 or so days look wonderful weather-wise. Going to enjoy it.