I left from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy in Harpers Ferry this morning around 9am. I tried to sleep as late as possible and enjoying having a bed and a pillow. I was too excited and couldn’t wait to get going.

Walking through the town of Harper’s Ferry was a history lesson on the Civil War with battlefields and armories to see. Seeing where the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers come together was impressive.

I spent the morning walking along the C&O Canal. It was a nice flat walk on a groomed trail. Some of the only flat trail I will see. It smelled gloriously of honeysuckle and wisteria. I saw a mama duck with 6 little babies. It was very peaceful with hikers and bikers passing me in both directions. The whole time I was thinking “I can do this; no problem.”

The afternoon was one long uphill hike. Beautiful, green and rocky! It might have been peaceful for other people but I was busy concentrating on breathing and not twisting my ankle on a rock! People passed me. Everyone passed me. I’m sure I was the slowest person on the trail today, but as they practically skipped by me I tried to remember how happy I am to be here. Panting in all of this fresh air. 😀

I’m spending the night at the Ed Garvey Shelter (photo above). I plan on sleeping in my hammock for most of the hike. Which is like a hanging tent, but it’s supposed to rain tonight and I have never slept in a shelter before so I am going to give it a try. this is a two story shelter and has a reputation for being one of the nicer ones on the trail.

I made it 6.9 miles today and finished an hour or so before I expected. I promised myself I would get off to a slow and easy start. 40% of people who intended to hike the entire trial come off in the first 80 miles, usually from some sort of over use injury from pushing too far to fast. I hope to get faster as I get my trail legs. Tomorrow’s goal is to make it to a shelter 9 miles away. I’m sure the rain is going to have a huge impact on the day so I will see how it goes.

P.S. I also saw a beautiful dear bounding through the woods on one of my many breathing breaks.