Last fall, when I started planning for the hike, I had dreamed of crossing the bridge spanning the Hudson River, in New York state. My thoughts then were that if I couldn't end on a mountain top in Maine it would be fun to end the hike by crossing a river. Those thoughts came back to me today as I strode across the long bridge with traffic roaring past me and people waving.
September 7, 2013
I started down my final section of trail for the summer at 7:00 am. I had two miles to go along the ridge of the mountain and then a fairly steep drop from the heights down to the Shenandoah River far below. The day was gorgeous, but the thick summer growth put my last walk in deep shadows. Along the ridge I found several weekenders stirring out of their tents. With quiet greetings I walked on by. I was savoring every moment, every interaction, every step along the path I had grown so used to following.
I took several breaks along the ridge path, not because I was tired, but to soak in and enjoy for just a few minutes longer the quiet and solitude of the place. I was aware that in a few more turns of the trail I would begin my decent down into the noise of the highway and busy tourist town. Even more so, that these last steps were leading me to the end of this great adventure. I was eager to be home, but hesitant to leave the trail behind.
Finally I reached the place where the trail turned and began it's 1.9 mile descent. It was a bit steeper than normal and required my concentration with each step. In the background I could gradually hear the sounds of traffic below, adding an unnatural dimension to the normal silence of the woods. I was eager to move ahead quickly, but the steep trail held me in check. Finally a long set of stone steps curled down an almost vertical drop, and there I was, headed onto the approach ramp that would put me on the bridge crossing the Shenandoah.
Last fall, when I started planning for the hike, I had dreamed of crossing the bridge spanning the Hudson River, in New York state. My thoughts then were that if I couldn't end on a mountain top in Maine it would be fun to end the hike by crossing a river. Those thoughts came back to me today as I strode across the long bridge with traffic roaring past me and people waving. There is something about crossing over a river that is symbolic of putting old things behind and moving on to something new and better. Even heaven is often depicted as a crossing of the river to the other side. It pleased me to think that my adventure included the river as a part of my last day.
Once across the river the hike was not yet over. The town of Harpers Ferry is built on the rocky cliffs above the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers. From the end of the bridge I still had one more good climb to enjoy before I could call it quits! It was a pleasure climbing the last slope. I remembered the struggles I experienced in April with each hill and elevation change. I thought about Johnny Walker, the pace setter for our little group in those early weeks. He helped us gear down and find a pace that we could use to get us to the top of each mountain without having to stop during our climb. I found myself smiling as I thought of telling Johnny, "This dog fight is almost over!"
Once up the ridge, the trail skirts the edge of town and passes scenic Jefferson Rock. From there it runs down the slope, through the historic old section of town, and across the Potomac River on an old railroad bridge. First, however, a blue blazed side trail took me to the AT headquarters. There my picture was taken and information recorded about my hike. It was also a place to ask questions and find information about others I had met on the trail. The headquarters is at almost the halfway point of the trail, and is the perfect place to find out who is still hiking and where they might be. There is also a large sign on the wall encouraging each backpacker to "Call Your Mother!"
There were two more things that I wanted to do before I halted for the summer. One was to find a quiet spot to remember my father and Highlander who both passed away during the early days of my journey. Both were sure that would be in Harpers Ferry before the summer ended, and in some way I feel like they both traveled with me.
Before I could declare the hike over. I crossed over the Potomac River and continued following the trail as it joins together with the old footpath of the C&O canal. I followed this much flatter, river side path for almost 3 miles to the spot where Roger was waiting with his truck.
There was now only one thing left to do to make the ending complete. As I swung my gear into the back of Roger's pickup truck, I looked across at him and said, "I need a place where I can get a big greasy cheeseburger!" I'm eating this one in memory of Johnny and George, Wildcat, Swamp Fox, and all the others I had met and gotten to know because the trail had tied us together.
There is more that I would like to share and that needs to be said. Tonight, however, is a time to rest and prepare for my drive back home. In the coming days I want to share some additional insights and comments about the journey and what is to follow.
For right now, however, "This Dogfight IS OVER!"
I started down my final section of trail for the summer at 7:00 am. I had two miles to go along the ridge of the mountain and then a fairly steep drop from the heights down to the Shenandoah River far below. The day was gorgeous, but the thick summer growth put my last walk in deep shadows. Along the ridge I found several weekenders stirring out of their tents. With quiet greetings I walked on by. I was savoring every moment, every interaction, every step along the path I had grown so used to following.
I took several breaks along the ridge path, not because I was tired, but to soak in and enjoy for just a few minutes longer the quiet and solitude of the place. I was aware that in a few more turns of the trail I would begin my decent down into the noise of the highway and busy tourist town. Even more so, that these last steps were leading me to the end of this great adventure. I was eager to be home, but hesitant to leave the trail behind.
Finally I reached the place where the trail turned and began it's 1.9 mile descent. It was a bit steeper than normal and required my concentration with each step. In the background I could gradually hear the sounds of traffic below, adding an unnatural dimension to the normal silence of the woods. I was eager to move ahead quickly, but the steep trail held me in check. Finally a long set of stone steps curled down an almost vertical drop, and there I was, headed onto the approach ramp that would put me on the bridge crossing the Shenandoah.
Last fall, when I started planning for the hike, I had dreamed of crossing the bridge spanning the Hudson River, in New York state. My thoughts then were that if I couldn't end on a mountain top in Maine it would be fun to end the hike by crossing a river. Those thoughts came back to me today as I strode across the long bridge with traffic roaring past me and people waving. There is something about crossing over a river that is symbolic of putting old things behind and moving on to something new and better. Even heaven is often depicted as a crossing of the river to the other side. It pleased me to think that my adventure included the river as a part of my last day.
Once across the river the hike was not yet over. The town of Harpers Ferry is built on the rocky cliffs above the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers. From the end of the bridge I still had one more good climb to enjoy before I could call it quits! It was a pleasure climbing the last slope. I remembered the struggles I experienced in April with each hill and elevation change. I thought about Johnny Walker, the pace setter for our little group in those early weeks. He helped us gear down and find a pace that we could use to get us to the top of each mountain without having to stop during our climb. I found myself smiling as I thought of telling Johnny, "This dog fight is almost over!"
Once up the ridge, the trail skirts the edge of town and passes scenic Jefferson Rock. From there it runs down the slope, through the historic old section of town, and across the Potomac River on an old railroad bridge. First, however, a blue blazed side trail took me to the AT headquarters. There my picture was taken and information recorded about my hike. It was also a place to ask questions and find information about others I had met on the trail. The headquarters is at almost the halfway point of the trail, and is the perfect place to find out who is still hiking and where they might be. There is also a large sign on the wall encouraging each backpacker to "Call Your Mother!"
There were two more things that I wanted to do before I halted for the summer. One was to find a quiet spot to remember my father and Highlander who both passed away during the early days of my journey. Both were sure that would be in Harpers Ferry before the summer ended, and in some way I feel like they both traveled with me.
Before I could declare the hike over. I crossed over the Potomac River and continued following the trail as it joins together with the old footpath of the C&O canal. I followed this much flatter, river side path for almost 3 miles to the spot where Roger was waiting with his truck.
There was now only one thing left to do to make the ending complete. As I swung my gear into the back of Roger's pickup truck, I looked across at him and said, "I need a place where I can get a big greasy cheeseburger!" I'm eating this one in memory of Johnny and George, Wildcat, Swamp Fox, and all the others I had met and gotten to know because the trail had tied us together.
There is more that I would like to share and that needs to be said. Tonight, however, is a time to rest and prepare for my drive back home. In the coming days I want to share some additional insights and comments about the journey and what is to follow.
For right now, however, "This Dogfight IS OVER!"
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