Derrick Earls, More Heart than Scars tackle the AT together and in Spirit!: Day 51, July 5, 2014

Hiking out of the Blackburn ATC Center was easy. I hiked 20 minutes miles for about 12 miles and arrived at Harpers Ferry WV! The Potomac and Shenandoah River were all beautiful.

The history of Harpers Ferry was endless! I soaked up as much as possible but I will return to Harpers Ferry for history lessons, fishing and relaxation in the future!

I got my picture at the ATC HQ. my mom sent me a resupply package from home that I prepped and I was grateful. I also purchased a $40 AT membership to support the AT, maintenance and all the volunteers who care so diligently for the AT. It's the least I could do since the Appalachian Trail will provide invaluable lessons/experiences throughout my life. I was the 61st thru hiker as far as alternative hikers. Alternative hikers are those who complete a thru hike other than NOBO or SOBO straight thru. There were 1090 NOBO hikers and only 3 SOBO hikers that have came through. It is extremely early for SOBO hikers to arrive at Harpers Ferry. Also, on the NOBO hikers I saw many who had aqua blazed, blue blazed or yellow blazed. Thus, they had skipped a bit of the trail. However, it's their hike and the thru hike certificate is for 2000 miles, not ~2180 total miles. Blue blazing is taking a trail that short cuts around the main AT. Aqua blaze is canoeing around the trail. Typically done in the Shenandoah's and can be done over 50-100 miles or so. Yellow blaze is taking a hitch further up the trail and avoiding sections of the AT. However. Hike your own Hike!

I walked another .6 on the AT down to lower Historic Harpers Ferry. I experienced it and called Joe and Catherine. They has gotten off at earlier mileage due to Catherine roughing her knee up on a fall. She is well, and will continue her thru hike with Joe. Her sister lives with her husband and kids in Charles Town. Joe and Chris, who is Mallory's husband, and Mallory is Catherine's sister picked me up around 7 p.m. in Harpers Ferry. This was awesome because I hadn't showered since Waynesboro.

I was able to get a nice bath :). They later took us to more fireworks in Jefferson County. Mallory prepped amazing snacks and we watched the fireworks from the bed of the F250 :).

I slept on their couch and it felt so amazing!