Day 77: The End of the Rollercoaster
The morning air was crisp and cool, a welcome change from the recent warm weather. I set out on my hike, eager to leave behind the notorious rollercoaster trail that had been a challenge for the past few days. The cool temperatures were a refreshing start to my day, and I was determined to make the most of it.
The rollercoaster trail, as I had discovered, was not just about the ups and downs but the relentless rocks that made each step a struggle. I was relieved to leave that behind and found myself on flatter terrain, a significant improvement. The trail still had its rocky moments, but they were less frequent, and my feet, especially my left one, were grateful for the change.
I continued my journey, motivated by the thought of reaching Keys Gap, a short roadwalk away from a convenience store. This small reward was enough to keep my group of hikers, including Blueberry Turtle, Big Stick, and Tahoe, going strong. We covered over 10.5 miles and arrived at our destination by 1 pm.
The convenience store was a welcome sight, and I indulged in a steak and cheese sub, chips, and a cold Cherry Coke. It was a much-needed break, and I enjoyed the company of my hiking companions. We then turned our attention to coordinating with the hostel in Harper's Ferry, a task I had eagerly anticipated taking on.
As we sat outside, a motorcyclist approached and offered to buy us cold drinks. Queso and I accepted, and I was delighted to receive a Gatorade. The group's enthusiasm grew as we saw others enjoying ice cream, and I couldn't resist getting a pint of birthday cake ice cream myself. We spent a leisurely afternoon, hanging out until 3 pm, before heading back to the trail.
The remaining 3.7 miles were a mix of rocky sections and smoother trails, and I walked the road back to the trail. The day's journey was coming to an end, and I felt a sense of accomplishment. I had made it to what I thought was the state line, but a quick check revealed I had missed the sign. A short hike back was all it took to correct my mistake.
With the day's hike complete, I headed to bed early, ready for the challenges of the next day. I opted for cowboy camping, hoping for a restful night's sleep before another big day of hiking.
