We are past half way and ready for Virginia

After a few restful days in Washington DC with family we returned to the trail refreshed and ready to finish Pennsylvania, Maryland and West Virginia and get into the beauty of Virginia. NOBOs have raved about the Shenandoah and the Smokies and we are anxious to get there.

Also happy to wave good bye to all the rocks in Pennsylvania - I love the state but the trail here was rough.

Several milestones achieved this week as we passed the official half way poin (Giddy Up), crossed our 1100 mile milestone, and crossed Maryland and West Virginia (our 9th and 10th states). It has been three months on trail and things are starting to fly by.  Trying to savor each day as this will be over before we know it.

The trail in Virginia is over 500 miles long, (more than half the miles we have remaining), and we will spend almost a month hiking it.  Getting close to the Shenandoah keeps us motivated.

Day 84 - after an early morning shuttle ride from DC we have french toast at the Cafe in Boiling Springs (good way to start any day) and then head toward Pine Grove Furnace and the half gallon challenge. Unfortunately the hostile is full so we have to hike 3 extra miles with a belly full of ice cream to get to Tom's Run Shelter.

A peaceful view outside the ATC office in Boiling Springs as we head back onto the trail

This is one of the old iron furnaces that gives the park its name

A few extra miles night hiking and we get to the half way point - Giddy Up!

Erik and I wolfing down our 1/2 gallons of Hersheys ice cream.  Was a little easier given the heat index was setting another record 

This is what a hiker looks like after eating a half gallon of ice cream in 23 minutes - half gallon challenge accepted and completed.

Day 85 - yesterday ended up being over 23 miles (tough first day back on trail) so we went short today and stopped at the Trail of Hope Hostile.  The good news is there was a great diner on the way so we get dinner tonight and breakfast in the AM.  Shout out to Timbers Diner - they are awesome.

After celebrating last night and hiking a few miles this morning we realize the "official" half way point is here (as opposed to that huge sign that is apparently not the actual midway point)

We had lunch at this quaint little shelter

For all the Psyche fans . . .

Was so tempted to stay at the well kept Quarry Gap Shelter with its garden, swing and semi private rooms.  Had a nice break here and then pushed on.

Day 86 - Big day as we hike out of Pennsylvania (Yea!) and into Maryland.  It will take 20+ miles to get to Raven Rock Shelter (we had hoped the rocks would then immediately disperse - no such luck).

Our day started with French Toast at the Timbers - yummy (and hiker friendly)

Erik sunning on Chimney Rocks

Dad also taking sun on top of Chimney Rock

A dedicated shelter for those who snore, they think of everything 

Was a cool face way up on this tree at the same shelter 

We are officially out of Pennsylvania and into Maryland - also crossing the Mason/Dixon line as we enter the official South

Cool little memorial along the side of the trail.  Not clear what we were supposed to put in the little slot

The view from Pen Mar County Park. What a great welcome to Maryland. 

We are also entering an area with lots of civil war history

This is a panorama of this gorgeous park.  Would love to take my family here for a picnic

Day 88 - just got to Maryland and almost ready to leave.  Another 20 miles to Rocky Run Shelter, relatively new and nice.  This positions us for a short 16 mile hike into Harpers Ferry tomorrow.

These cables lift your food up so bears cannot reach it.  Seen lots of bear boxes but these are a first.

Erik hiking across a Maryland meadow - note who is in front most of the time now :)

We took a break at this spring - crisp, cool water and a little shade - was awesome 

AT hikers are completely caged as they cross the interstate

Harder to find new flowers but liked this one 

We saw the famous Washington Monument in DC last week, few know about this original Washington Monument in Maryland 

Looks like a big rock milk bottle :)

But the view from the top was spectacular 

Stairs up to the top were like an old castle

This old church was near trail at the end of our day

We are hiking through old civil war battle sites

This monument is for the first Union General killed in action during the civil war - learning a lot about the Civil War

Day 89 - we head into Harpers Ferry which takes us out of Maryland and into West Virginia.  We also check out the ATC center here and register our SOBO thru hike progress.  A little rain this morning after a record four straight days of sunshine.  Hot and humid, but I prefer that too the rain:).

After settling into town we had dinner with Gary Gilman and his son Andrew.  Was great to see friends and enjoy their company.  Had a great meal and enjoyed live music at The Anvil.  Was so kind of  Gary to pick us up and buy us dinner.  Erik and I enjoyed the night off trail.

Definitely new - lots of white, yellow and purple - not many blues

It is a nice diversion when the trail takes us by ruins and historical sites

This is a war correspondents memorial near GAFT park

We sometimes cross train tracks and this time had to wait for the train to pass

Erik found a new friend 

These were growing along the C&O canal trail

The view crossing the Potomac into Harpers Ferry was epic on this sunny afternoon 

Erik and I on the bridge over the Potomac River as we pass from Maryland into West Virginia.  You can see historic downtown Harpers Ferry in the background 

We logged in at the AT Center in Harpers Ferry and found out we are SOBO thru hikers number 30 and 31 for 2018.  There were almost 1700 NOBOs registered and only 30 SOBOs - we are a rare breed since going SOBO is a lot harder.

Next update will be from the beautiful Shenandoah, until then . . .