Burning Daylight Outdoors: Luray, VA to Harper's Ferry, WV (6/24-7/1)

Saturday 6/24 Aquablazeing Luray to Compton Rapids

We floated 17 miles down the Shennendoah River today to a camping spot just past Compton Rapids. It is easier and harder than hiking all at the same time. We covered the miles quicker, but my arms and legs are tired. The canoe is very different than my kayak. The seating position in a canoe is like a car but you don't have any footholds for your feet, and there is no back rest. Other than that I'm happy to be aquablazeing.

Sunday 6/25 Aquablazeing Compton Rapids to Low-Water Bridge Campground

The float was very nice, very smooth, and went very quickly. We floated 12 miles arriving to the campground at around 11:30am. We got to lounge around all day, we got a shuttle to the gas station to get lunch, we also got hotdogs, and other campground essentials. We were charging our phones and the man running the desk asked us if we wanted to sleep in the cabins for the night, all we had to do was clean the in the morning. Of course we said we would love to sleep in a cabin with AC and power outlets to charge our phones. In the morning we have 11miles to get to Front Royal.

Monday 6/26 Low-Water Bridge Campground to Front Royal

The stay in the cabin was very nice and I slept very well. The float was good until the middle. The river got very shallow and we all ran aground several times. In Front Royal we stayed at Mountain Home Cabbin. It was a historic cabin dating to the Civil War. The owners were very nice, the price was very reasonable and they serve breakfast with your stay. I was very excited to see Sari when Uncle Steve dropped her off!

Tuesday 6/27; (For Royal to Dick's Dome/Whiskey Hollow Shelter)

First day back for Fresh was good also hard. My body wasn't ready. The reunion was great though. I missed Bean so much! My days in Houston were both doing and everlasting at the same time. Dad's surgery went well and he's recovering. I just hope he continues to improve each day.

The terrain today was pretty easy on us, and U-Turn managed to score is a slack pack for most of the day. So out of 15 miles, we carried packs for under 3. It's great to be back, but my knees are aching worse than ever, and my feet and hips began hurting immediately after adding the pack. Back to reality!

We want to give the massivest of massive shout outs to Uncle Steve and Aunt Kathie for your help, hospitality, kindness, and prayers over the last week. I couldn't have done it without you! I'm so glad I was able to see you, though I'd have preferred other circumstances. We Can't wait to hopefully see you in the fall!

Wed 6/28; (Dick's Dome/Whiskey Hollow Shelter to Sam Moore Shelter)

Do we like roller coasters? No; at least, not the ones you walk on all day. Up, down. Up, down. Today was hard. I (Fresh) was very emotional and had a couple of breakdowns. Bean (aka Jumanji) was so fantastic. He was patient and kind, and we took our time, eventually making our way to camp. I was so relieved to be here. We're back in our tent with a little privacy, and or new quilts! Hopefully it will bring some good sleep tonight.

We found some ripe, tasty blueberries at the top of one of the ups today. We took a few minutes to enjoy, and did the same when we found a new, orange flower a bit later.

Oh...And by the way...We have walked 1000 miles. 1000 miles, guys. I mean, it's mind boggling. Seriously. We can't even wrap our heads around it.

Friday 7/2;

We walked out of Virginia, today, and into West Virginia. VA makes up 1/4 of the length of the trail, and we are in absolute shock that we've finished her (Sari has to go back to hike a week's worth of the Shenandoah, but hey, give me a break!).

Saturday 7/1; Harper's Ferry, WV

Sorry, friends, I have been a poor historian the last few days. But the important thing is that we've arrived in Harper's Ferry! This is the Unofficial Halfway point on our journey, the actual halfway being about a week away in Pine Grove Furnace State Park. Here, though, hikers find the Appalachian Trail Conservancy Headquarters. We have our picture taken here to put in "The Book" with our fellow long distance hikers for the whole year. It's a very big milestone and we're excited and grateful to be here! Harper's Ferry itself is absolutely beautiful and full of history. This is definitely a must-come-back town!

Stats Thus Far:

Total Miles: 1023

Longest Day: Sari just under 19, Erik 20

Favorite Memories:

Sari: Bear sightings, Spruce Forest in The Smokies, walking/talking with Erik about the flowers and history, the people!

Erik: Grayson Highlands (Ponies), area around Clingman's Dome, aqua blazing

Sari Weight Loss: +/- 20 lbs.

Erik Weight Loss: 0 (Thank Goodness!! He's eating more than you can imagine!)

We'd like to acknowledge all of those who've helped us along the way including but certainly not limited to our parents and families, and our cheerleaders around the world. We can't imagine any of this without each and every one of you--Thank you!

We're EXTREMELY proud of this piece of paper right here!

Unfortunately, this milestone also means the end of some important hiking relationships for us, too. U-Turn and The Colonel will be doing what we call a "flip flop" hike, which means that they will make their way to Maine and begin hiking south to Harper's Ferry, where they will finish their hike. Erik and I have discussed joining them at length. We almost did it, too. But in the end, we decided that, in our minds, our hike has always culminated at Katahdin (the Northern Terminus in Maine). The term "hike your own hike" drives us and reminds us that while we make very important friendships out here, we are most important in our own story. We are so, so sad to say goodbye (for now) to our friends, but we know we'll see them again, and we'll certainly be in touch, encouraging from afar! Taylor, I love you forever and I can't imagine what this hike will look like without you each day. Thank you for your undying support and encouragement over the last many weeks. We'll talk.