Appalachian Trail (day 46) - Blackburn Tent Site to Brampton Gap Shelter / mile 1037

After 550 miles walking through Virginia, the state with most miles on the Appalachian Trail is over and tonight I'm sleeping in Maryland the state with fewest, mere 40 miles of the AT but the main highlight of today was the town called Harper's Ferry where Appalachian Trail Conservancy headquarters are located.

In the morning I've only had 12 miles left before arriving at Harper's Ferry which was the location of the raid led by abolitionist John Brown, the northernmost point held by the Confederacy and changed hands eight times during the Civil War. I've stopped half way through at the Sweet Springs Store gas station, where I've ate a cheeseburger with potato wedges and topped up my snacks. Right after walking back on trail I've been stopped by Gandalf, thru hiker from 2023 who was doing a small trail magic and chatting with hikers passing through. He gave me some fruit and a gatorade which was much appreciated. Gandalf moved nearby last month to be closer to the trail which he clearly enjoyed.

After a fairly straight forward section I've arrived at the Harper's Ferry and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy headquarters where every thru hiker had it's "almost halfway" picture taken and placed in an album along with a short description, there was both physical and digital version of the album. I've had my picture taken by John and I've signed the release form so it could be used online. Eventually it will be available here 

Headquarters had a chill out zone, a 3D elevation map of the Appalachian Trail and a gift shop with AT's merchandise. I've bought few stickers, had a chat with Square Cake who worked here and thru hiked in 2022, I made a deal with her that she would send me a spare hang tag once they become available in October. Then I went to 7-Eleven supermarket down the road, got even more food and started to make my way out of town as I didn't plan to stay here for the night.

I've went down the historical streets full of small coffee shops and nice restaurants and then through a railway bridge to the other side of the Potomac river which was also a state border and just like that I've left Virginia's blues and entered Maryland.

I've hiked another 11 miles and stopped at the Brampton Gap Shelter for the night. In few days I should be at the actual middle point of the trail in yet another state Pennsylvania, which is the next thing I'm looking forward to.