1000 Miles!

But I would walk 500 miles

And I would walk 500 more...

Yes, we have walked 1000 miles.  

Our thru hiker family. 

We are now in Harpers Ferry, the unofficial halfway point on the trail, at mile  1018. Only 1168 miles to go!

Our last section included a 100 mile section through the Shenandoah National Park where rumor has it there are bears to be seen everywhere. Apparently that was true for everyone else. We didn't see a single bear. 

We had wanted to go canoeing for a couple of days on the Shenandoah River, but because of all the rain the river was flooded. Maybe another trip next year. We have had more than our fair share of rain on this trip. We heard today, that this has been the rainiest season on the AT since 2003. 

The SNP was an interesting experience. There is a saying that the SNP is like a vacation on the AT. The terrain and grade of the trail was much more moderate than we have had thus far. Plus, there are several waysides and camp stores on or close to the trail, and we were able to enjoy burgers, sodas, milkshakes and other junk food on an almost daily basis. 

We were serenaded at a shelter in the Shenandoah National Park by a section hiker named Bo, who played the mandolin for us. 

Beautiful mushroom. 

Playing games outside of Bear's Den Hostel. Our hiker family is now known as "Front Royale with Cheese."   Non AT hikers will think we're all crazy, so don't ask. 

We took a train into Washington, where we played tourist for the day. 

Goofing off at the Capitol with our hiker family. 

One of our hiker family members left to go back home today, as her section was done. Houdini, we miss you already.

We finally left Virginia, our fourth state,  and entered West Virginia ( for a very brief 2.5 miles). Next up Maryland and then Pennsylvania. 

See you down the trail!