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The morning found me at the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) to pick up my hiker tag. But first there was a test. Panic! What if I fail? Do I come back tomorrow?
Day 1 Tag Buddy
Another hiker Laura was getting her tag at the same time. She left and I gave Bob a big hug. As I made a right turn on the blue blazed side trail, I saw Laura 20 feet down the road past the turn. I hollered to her that the trail was this direction. We headed across the bridge into Maryland.
We felt like rockstars walking down the bike path. One lady remarked “You’re on the Appalachian Trial”. I said in a loud stage whisper, “So are you!”. She asked for our picture with her. Turned up and headed upWeverton Cliffs.
Arrived at Ed Garvey Shelter. Since it was our first setup, we elected to not go to the next shelter, and set up. Laura’s sawyer water filter wasn’t working so I lent her mine.
Day 2
We started out and were planning on going to Rocky Run, about 9 miles away.
Ridgelines and hill mostly, until after Gathland park.
A geocacher found us taking a break for lunch at the side trail to Crampton Gap. We arrived at Rocky Run.
One of the hikers we met the night before, was taking a nap in the corner. I didnt see him and out loud remarked “I wonder if G*** is awake? All he heard was his name and bolted awake. Mea culpa, I got reminded of that later. Derp.
Two trail pals from Oregon slept in at Ed Garvey as they were running on no sleep and Pacific time. They were on a time schedule and were heading to a campsite, but did stop in to say hi.
Day 3
Hotter day 60-80F.Went about 7 miles to Pine Knob. We swung by the camp where the Oregon pals were, we took a break, and watched them pack, all the time they remarked that they better get up sooner. We headed on and were refilling water when Oregon passed by and waved. Heading up the hill, we found G*** and Oregon charging up by an electrical outlet. Score. I asked G if he was going to check out the Washington Monument. He said “Nah, if its more than 30 feet, Im not doing it”
I told him just to look from the trail and he would see it.
Saw an open bible on a stump, blackened by weather, looked at it from a distance of five feet.
So I finally walked over I70 from above, not driving below. Cars are stinky.
Trail names unlocked
Arrive at Pine Knob. My stove appears to be stripped by the fuel canister. Laura lends me her BSR back up stove.
So if on day one I am in control of water, and day three Laura is in charge of fire, would that make us a waterbender and a firebender? See where I’m going?
You do if you have ever watched Avatar:The Last Airbender.
So the hiker formerly known as Jill is now Katara, and Laura is now Zuko.
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