DER ADLER
October 17 - Saturday Night - Home
This weekend was off in a totally ignoble start, only partially attributable to the weather. Wednesday we received a call from old friends living in Fort Worth that they were here in the area and would like to get together. She had called over a month ago that they were thinking about visiting Labor Day weekend but we heard nothing more. I guess we were not surprised that they showed up unexpectedly but it did change our schedules around and of course caused the loss of sleep from yakking it up. Of course I did not participate in this as I am definitely not the loquacious type. Mimi's lack of sleep Thursday night combined with heavy rain for most of Friday suggested to us that going anyplace Friday night was contraindicated. So we stayed home and just took it easy and I played with my computer attempting to update a few files that needed modification after changing to Corel WordPerfect 8. It took several hours to work out just a few of the many new concepts that I do not think really added to the package. Anyhow we stayed at home and just watched the rain come down. This is once I was not complaining as we have been desperately needing rain all summer long. I fear my grass will not recognize any moisture that does not have chlorine in it as it has been ages since it has anything but city water. At least there should not be any cavities in the grass considering the fluoridation that takes place here.
When awaking this morning at least it was not raining and we knew that our club was sponsoring a walk at the Manasses Battlefield National Park so we headed there to help out if needed. The forecast had been for rain all day and the expectations were few hikers accordingly. It never did rain and there were more walkers than been planned for. We worked various stations until lunch time when Mimi's stomach signaled that it was time to leave and eat. I made the recommendation that next year's hike be referred to as "The Mudder of all volksmarches."
We did do the hike however. I thought that it would be muddy but we were pleasantly surprised There was about a fifty meter stretch that one had to be careful about where one put their feet but the rest was pretty good. The portion through the battlefield is always attractive and it tends to disguise the happenings there during the Civil War. It is difficult to comprehend that so many men on both sides died in that otherwise tranquil atmosphere. There were feeding deer all over the meadow and most of them adjusted to having humans walking around. The area is close enough to the Northern Virginia Community College that I suspect the students are out feeding them during good weather. Mimi found some rocks that will make their way into our rock garden; they are attractive in a very rustic sense of the word. They are coated with lichens so I suspect they will require shade and a lot of moisture.
Sunday Night - October 19 - Home
Today was much better but even then it had its humorous side. My computer program laid out a route to reach Harper's Ferry as expeditiously as possible. Most of the time this works very well but at times it can throw a curve ball or two. This was one of these times. The map it created referred to a "John Hanson Rd". It turns out the signs for this all read Fairfax County Parkway. So we had to grope around for a while until we caught it and backtrack fifteen miles to get the right road. Once on this we made good time and actually arrived at Harper's Ferry ahead of the time projected. It is an attractive drive and other than paying a $1.50 toll for a three mile stretch of road enjoyable.
The weather wasn't the greatest, heavy overcast, but it was not raining. The leaves in that area are changing and in places very spectacular. I attempted to take pictures with the digital camera but I have no idea how they will turn out. I will be able to play with the colors a little bit but I fear it will test the ingenuity of the computer program. This will be a new challenge.
The trail wanders around the town out to one of the battle sites before heading downtown. Once in town it is very historic and is indeed a National Park. The restorations have been very good and the area maintains the feeling of a mid nineteenth century town. At one time it was a very busy arsenal making it a important military objective and the town changed hands several times during the course of the war. Of course it is as famous for John Brown and his rebellion that resulted in his execution for murder and sedition. The "John Brown Fort" is still standing but not in the original location having been disassembled and moved several times.
We stopped at a diner constructed from an old railroad car for breakfast. The coffee was needed by this time and the food kept our stomachs from arguing all that much. We did cross the old railroad bridge so we could take pictures in the hope they will be usable. I would have loved to taken some from the highway across the river but at the only place one can pull off the road the foliage is so thick that one cannot see the town. I would have tried anyway but I had an eighteen wheeler right on my bumper so didn't take a chance. Hopefully some of the pictures will work out but there are so many telephone lines and other cables in that one portion it is difficult to see the town.
From there is was a hop. Skip and jump to Thurmont MD just of US 15 heading towards Gettysburg. I was disappointed to note that little attention is paid to the start box there, no insert cards, no start cards and just one crumpled map. The log sheets have been there for ages. We did the hike despite this of course and will send the funds to the address on the envelope - of which there were many - so I have done my part. Thurmont is a walk around the town and considering the mountains that it is close to is a disappointment. There must be trails that would be much better. This same condition existed last year I believe.
I see daily comments in the "Walklist" about how to improve the image of hiking. This certainly would be one as I have heard other people who have walked in this area and we all share the same observations. If anyone who was not accustomed to neglect were to visit a location like this it certainly would be a "turnoff." Fortunately I have not seen many instances of this.
The hike is pleasant enough, the map is accurate and easy to follow but it is all paved and mostly residential. The town is old but little remains of any historical significance. Give me the woods and natural trails anytime.
Going to the next hike at Round Top was an adventure itself. What should have taken an hour took two. There was a nasty accident on I81 totally blocking traffic northbound. I finally crept to a spot where I could turn around and circled back to US 30 at Gettysburg so I could get to York and go North there. Made great time until five miles west of York and traffic crawled for three miles. It appeared that one traffic light was causing all the problems. Once this was negotiated it was off to I83 north and promptly ran into another accident and then construction which closed the exit we needed. By this time it was closing time for the hike but we were so close that it was worth the shot to ask.
The area is most attractive and the closer to Round Top the better it looked. We arrived twenty minutes late but the Susquehanna people came through like champions. They allowed us to accompany the "tear down" crew as they took off the trail markers and other memorabilia of the hike. The first portion of the trail was straight up the face of the mountain along the edge of the ski slope. This brought tears to my eyes remembering some of the huffer puffers that we have done in Europe. The view from the top was worth doing that portion twice at least. The fall cover was brilliant, Mother Nature was outdoing herself with her cloak of colors. By this time the overcast was breaking up and one could see sunshine breaking through.
The trail was as well marked as any I have ever walked. It was almost entirely natural trail with little even in the open. There were an occasional mud hole but easily circumvented. The trail was equal to the marking placing it mighty high on our "must do again" list. Mimi and I both appreciate the effort that went into selecting and preparing the trail. It is easy to identify when a club cares. These are the hikes that "sell" volksmarching. No number of gimmicks, cute ideas or advertising slogans can overcome an apathetic trail. I of course managed to get a real old fashioned prat fall on loose rock leaving me with less skin and blood with living Technicolor expected for in the morning. I know that I will have that achy breaky feeling when I first attempt to twist out of bed when I wake up.
Mimi was anxiously collecting brochures on the skiing on the area and we might very well find ourselves back in the area once snow is on the ground. The area is laid out nicely with a variety of downhill trails. The trail we hiked on is suitable for some severe cross country work outs but I do not know if this is done. There is sufficient variety of conditions that would allow a full spectrum of activities. Once again I compliment the club for a great hike and a job well done. It could be used as a model for other clubs to follow and while it may be equaled it is doubtful that it could be exceeded.
The drive back was uneventful and anticlimactic. It would have taken less than three hours to reach home except we stopped for refueling in Springfield. Mimi's stomach would not stop growling so we ate at a small Korean restaurant off Backlick Rd. It wasn't the greatest but we have had much worse as well. I checked e-mail once at home, took a hot bath soaking for thirty minutes and then off to slumber land.
We have hiked more hikes for a weekend but this was great anyway. The weather could have been better but I am sure that our yard is better for the rain. I better mow the lawn this evening or feel threatened by the jungle if I wait any longer.
