6/04/06 Sunday: Blackburn Trail Center to Harpers Ferry Hostel, Knoxville, MD (15.6mi)

PICTURES:
1. Thats me with my trusty tripod at the 1000mile mark, the shelter sign...
2. Climbing the stairs to the bridge to cross the Shenandoah River
3. The traditional ATC pic... one for me here ... the polaroid for their book...:)
4. Here I'm down by the Shenandoah river where quite a few people are kiayaking, and looking back at Old Harpers Ferry through the elevated train tracks and up to the 100y/o Catholic Church.
5. A view of Maryland Heights from the downtown area...
6. Another downtown road leading up to the ATC hq.
7&8. Jefferson Rock overlooking the Shenandoah River
9. Interior of the Catholic Church
10. The oldest building in town, the boarding house Harper House
11. Across from Harper House was an example of a root cellar
12. The C&O towpath now a National bike/AT. Here Im looking back to Harpers Ferry on my way to the hostel...

I had a wonderful time at the Blackburn, Redwing was a wonderful host and had coffee waiting for us when I popped in at 0700. The coffee was real good and we chatted for about 40min. After my third cup, decided I'd best be going so I bid everyone good day and hit the trail... It was a beautiful day too... With temps in the 50s and nearly no humidity... I made it to the next shelter by 0900 and took a pic of the sign since its suppose to be at the 1000mile mark of the walk north... I came across 3 groups of scouts this morning on my way to Harpers Ferry... The trail was pretty nice but much of it with lots of rocks making the footing tricky... I arrived in Harpers Ferry about 1200 and made my way to the Appalachian Trail Conference (ATC) offices. I was greeted with a warm welcome, some snacks, and a tour of the facility. I had my picture taken, as they do for all the through hikers, and I used their internet services for bit. I took some time to get lunch and go to the outfitters, still looking for a repair sleeve for my tent... The Harpers Ferry Outfitters were able to help me out with the part I was needing and I spent the remainder of the afternoon sightseeing until my return to the ATC HQ at 1600... I picked up my gear and returned to the trail and continued north across the bridge into Maryland and to the hostel for the night... I arrived at the hostel at 1730 and relaxed a bit waiting to checkin at the opening...1800... I checked in picked my bunk, did my blogging, my laundry, and chatted with some of the other guests. Some trail bikers,some biking locally while others to DC on the 200 mile canal trail; a motorcyclist from England crossing the country on his Triumph; and a few AT hikers... It made for a fun night...