MANY THANKS TO ALL FOR YOU ENCOURAGEMENT AND COMMENTS

This last Tuesday, I think it was June 26, Meg and I left Free State Hostel after a restful night and the good company of Flicka, Daddy  Long Legs, and One. It was a perfect day for hiking, cool and breezy. We both felt good and made great time in the morning. For lunch we cooked our days dinner at Raven Rock Shelter, and continued on to the MD-PA. But my knee decided to act up at that time. It got increasingly painful to walk and  it was even difficult to get to Pen-Mar Park. We got off the trail there, and went to the Burgundy Lane B & B in Waynesboro, PA. They couldn't have been more helpful. Since then, I've been icing, elevating, and resting in general. All of that did not do much good, so this AM I went to an orthopedist and got the recommended cortisone shot. The PA's best guess is that it will help in anywhere from a few days to a month, if at all. Given that time line, and the fact that the arthritus isn't going away, I've decided to come off the trail for the time being. Not an easy decision! It's funny 'cause maybe I should feel bad about leaving the trail.  But I don't. I feel OK about coming home. I think it's time. I appreciate more that you know all of your kind thoughts and prayers for our hike. That had meant a lot and has helped us along. We have had some marvelous adventures and know what it's like to be on the trail for several months. It has been amazing. And who knows what the future holds. Edith and I may both be back on the trail sooner than either one of us thinks.

MARYLAND




Last Friday Meg and I hiked out of Harpers Ferry. Along the way we hiked on the C&O Cannel, stayed at the Ed Garvey Shelter, had cheeseburgers cooked for us at Rocky Run Shelter, and watched the sunset at Annapolis Rocks. Tonight we are staying at the Free State Hostel, which is a clean and spacious hostel. Meg and I ordered a large Sicilian pizza for dinner, and it was HUGE. Guess we don't have that hiker appetite yet. We will cross the Mason-Dixion line in the next day or so and will be officially in the north and in PA. I'm looking forward to it.

MOVING ON.............

Meg and I left Front Royal Terrapin Station Hostel on June 14, and arrived at Harper's Ferry and the Appalachian Trail Conference headquarters on the 20th. Along the way we walked the "Roller Coaster" section of the trail. It's a 13.5 section that is very narrow, and as a result, the trail goes straight up and down the mountains. No switchbacks there at all. We did 10 miles the first day, and stayed at the Bear's Den Hostel, and finished it the next day. Glad to be done with that section of the trail. Tonight we are staying with Rick's cousin's, James and Lou Ann Stovall in Shepard's Town, WV, and are being pampered. It's wonderful! We are moving into Maryland tomorrow and will be in PA with in the week!!

Big Changes

Update... everything is fine! 

Edith broke her arm on May 20th, and hiked three weeks with a cast.  At the three-week check-up, the doctor said it wasn't healing correctly and she needed to have surgery.  The surgery went off without a hitch on June 15th, and Edith is taking a R&R break for the next six weeks. 

Susan, however, is forging on! She was joined by Meg, a close friend, on the 14th and they continue northward, making excellent progress!  They are now between the Shenandoahs and Harper's Ferry, waking up early and walking miles before noon. 

Go Susan!  Go Meg! 

The Guillotine!

Crossing the James River on the longest pedestrian bridge on the AT.

Home away from home.

On May 20th Edith broke her arm. See the blue cast!

Approaching thunderstorm

Columbine

Memorial Day party wooooo!

DuBose, our new friend and shuttle-driver who helped Edith get her arm patched up in Waynesboro.

And the clouds move below us.

This is what you do when you are the only ones in the shelter and the gnats are terrible: set up your tent in the shelter!
Priest shelter, where we saw a bear.

We are in the Shenandoahs... stealth camping!

Susan, searching for a signal.

Elke relaxing at Big Meadows Wayside. FYI, Elke is also on R&R, keeping Edith company.