Appalachian Trail

October 11
Sunday             

  WARNING!  THIS IS A MARATHON POSTING CONTAINING  56 PHOTOS


At last I was about to do something I had been wanting to do since 1975, that is, in addition to buying a 1975 Thunderbird.

Road Scholar is a non-profit group that offers learning programs to mature adults.  It was begun in 1975 as Elderhostel and ever since 1975 when I saw my first Elderhostel catalog, I have been anxious to go on one of their adventures.  The problem was, in 1975 I was only 33 years old and the age requirement at the time was a minimum of 65.
By the time I reached 55, the age had been dropped to 55 and the name changed to Road Scholar, and I still hadn't done a program.
Now I'm 73 and about to live the dream. I was in Sharpsburg, MD for my first Road Scholar program:
Walking the Appalachian Trail in Four States   This was for me, even tho it seemed like cheating because we would be taken to a different trail head each morning to walk in that state carrying only our lunch, and be brought back to the same comfy room each night with a hot dinner waiting and showers.  Yes, it was cheating and I was all in for it.

  Unlike the old days when housing was in college dorms, we had rooms in the Shepherd Springs Retreat House. Perfect except for the fact they are an alcohol-free facility. 

This could be an issue for someone like me who enjoys a glass of wine after walking 10 miles, or 1/2 mile.

It was a temptation to go out to the Doodle to imbibe, but I resisted and am a better person for it, I told myself.

 I had a room and bath all to myself with cozy quilts on the twin beds.

At the orientation meeting the first evening we got to know each other and learned about the 2180 mile  Appalachian Trail that runs thru 13 states from Maine to Georgia.

Each morning we met in the dining room for buffet breakfast to power ourselves up for the day's hike.

The group consisted of 20 hearty souls from various backgrounds and ages including at least two marathon runners and one who is training for a long hike in Patagonia.

After breakfast everyone got busy making their lunch and snacks to carry on the trail.

And  two bottles of water to stay well hydrated.

Day 1 - Pennsylvania

We are shuttled to the trail head to an area known as Big Flats and listen while our leader, Rick, tells us about the day's hike.

We'll hike 8.5 miles in Pennsylvania.

Beautiful Fall colors.

I won't need to go to Connecticut now for the show.

The trail quickly becomes very steep as we begin a 900 feet elevation change. Most of the significant elevation changes were downhill.

This section of the AT is also very rocky to make it even more challenging. Sure footing is needed.

Me and Deb

Soon we reach the mid-point of the AT.  Guess we've really been walking fast!

Five miles down the trail we dive into our lunches at the Tom's Run Shelter.

This was the site of a WW II  POW camp nestled along the mountain.

Nearby a CCC camp existed during the Depression and did their traditional planting of trees in soldier-like rows.

Trees that have fallen since the spring cleanup of the trail.

A path is cut thru logs that are too big to remove.

We met this interesting fellow on the trail. It was a warm day and I commented I wish I were dressed like he was, nice and cool. He said "I wish you were, too."

We couldn't figure out what the black leather skirt was about.

Wish we had asked what his trail name was.

Hikers give each other these names and they usually stick.

This abandoned building is the remains of the Pine Grove Iron Works from 1764.

We end at the AT Museum where I'm delighted to learn of Granny Gatewood.

In 1955, at the age of 67 she became the first woman to hike the entire 2,168 mile Appalacian Trail wearing sneakers and carrying an army blanket, a raincoat, a shower curtain, and a change of clothes in a homemade bag which she slung over one shoulder. For food she foraged for wild plants, as well as carried dried meat, cheese, nuts and dried fruit.

The mother of 11 and grandmother of 23, she is now considered a pioneer of ultra-light hiking. She learned about the AT from an article in National Geographic and  "thought it would be a nice lark... it wasn't."  She also said, "For some fool reason, they always lead you right up over the biggest rock to the top of the biggest mountain they can find." She hiked the entire trail again in 1960 and again in sections in 1963 at the age of 75, making her the first person to hike the entire trail three times. Her advice to others included  "buy a sturdy pair of Keds tennis shoes".   There you have it for anyone wanting to break Granny's record.

We are at the northern tip of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

This site is also the home of the historic Pine Grove Furnace, an iron furnace with historic links to the Revolutionary War and the Underground Railroad.

Only one casualty today. 

Deb got a skinned knee.

Dinner tonite was a delicious pasta dish for Meatless Monday.
 Then there was Taco Tuesday, and Chicken Pot Pie on Wednesday,
 all meals very good.

Day 2 - Maryland

Today started with a group picture in case we lose anyone.

There is 10% loss in any kind of situation.  That means potentially 2 of us could go missing......

We begin with a visit to the nation's first monument to George Washington.

                         And a grand vista from atop  South Mountain.

Today's hike covered 9.5 miles.  

The AT crosses three historic passes that Union forces crossed before engaging Confederates at the battle of Antietam.

We quickly climbed more than 800 feet in just over a mile with very rocky terrain again.

 But once at the top, lunch and a beautiful view.

Rick is our guide on the right in the red shirt.

The remainder of the trail that day was fairly clear of rocks compared to the other hikes.

 1867 farmhouse ruins

We ended at this Monument to Civil War Correspondents

On the way home Happy Hour Shepherd's Spring style in Sharpsburg, MD

That evening at dinner Margaret and Rick celebrated their 36th wedding anniversary.....

Robbie, Leslie, Judy, Heidi, Mary

Day 3 - Virginia                        

The fast group takes off first, just like a marathon.

Today's hike only covers 7 miles but the terrain is rocky and ascents and descents are many which is why it is called the "Rollercoaster". Many thru-hikers (those who finish the entire trail in one season) consider this section the proving grounds of the AT. Elevation changes go from 1000 - 1300, 750 - 1100, 900 - 1200, and 800 - 1250 in 6.8 miles. 

Instead of tempting fate, I opted for the alternate program. No sense in popping nitro pills if I didn't need to.  Alice also was having knee problems so we opted for the shorter version which took us a mile into the trail and back to the van, then a mile at the end, skipping the roller coaster part.  I don't even like roller coasters at amusement parks.

We "hiked our own hike"

slow.

We  could go at our own speed.

We gabbed and solved all the problems of the world waiting for the others to return.

Alice even had time to practice her ukelele.

This 1930s home was built by a doctor as a summer art studio for his wife. The bottom floor is now an AT  hostel. Top floor rooms are available as a hotel.

On the trail Alice and I met this young woman
 whose trail name is
 Pinball and her dog Dazel.
 They have hiked 700 miles so far.

Yes, she was hiking alone, which makes my trip around the country alone seem not dangerous at all.

  

An unsigned carving in the parking lot.

 I love the little owls and the look on the baby bear's face.

Signs of trail campers.

Day 4 - West Virginia - last hike

Our hike today is 6.5 miles across Loudon Heights, VA and into West Virginia. An alternate flat hike was also offered to walk the nearby C & O Canal Towpath for those who have had enough ups and downs.

We began up an easy incline

          

Where when we reached the top we could stand with one foot in West Virginia and one in Virginia

This was the scene of many Civil War encampments. 

Our local guide, Mike, explained the rocks in circular formation were walls of the soldiers' shelters.

We then descended down a very steep incline which ended at the Shenandoah River.

We walked across the new bridge and into the town of Harper's Ferry 

Where we had lunch at the AT Conservancy Headquarters

Goose and Yogi and their dog Maverick

And met hikers like this young couple who are on their way to finishing the trail in Georgia soon, having started in May in Maine. Don't know how their dog did the rocky trail with no booties.

We walked into Harper's Ferry and explored the museums and shops. This is where John Brown's failure to take over the armory got him arrested and hung prior to the Civil War.

For our last night there was a wonderful steak dinner Farewell Banquet complete with white tablecloths, flowers and a nice talk by Rick, who has done a terrific job of riding herd on us all week.

After dinner we went into Shepherdstown, W.Va for entertainment by locals.

Wish we had more time to just poke around in this store that had everything.

We were treated to music of the Appalacian region played by a group of rotating local musicians who have gathered here every Thursday night for 30 years. It was a real treat for the ears, not to mention easy on the feet. 

We enjoyed hearing hammered dulcimers, guitars, violin, banjos, a Uihllean bagpipe, and a harp.  Look at my FB page and I'll post some of the music live.

It was a wonderful evening to end a really good program.

The next morning after a breakfast of baked oatmeal with ice cream (a southern tradition), we all said our goodbyes with promises to keep in touch.

This program has been the highlight of my trip........so far.

Liz and her sister Alice, and me

Not about to miss the C&O Canal, I stopped on my way out for this last picture.