West Virginia: A Hiker's Paradise
I had always been a dreamer, and my dream was to hike the Appalachian Trail. When I heard about the shortest stretch of the trail in West Virginia, I knew I had to make it there. The 4-mile stretch along the border was a mere blip on the map, but it was the best 4 miles I had ever hiked. It was a day filled with surprises, challenges, and the warmth of unexpected kindness.
The day before, I was still in Northern Virginia, preparing for the journey ahead. I had planned to hike 18 miles on Mother's Day, but fate had other plans. My daughter, who was in Harper's Ferry, surprised me by coming to visit. I couldn't resist the urge to see her and decided to hike 28 miles instead. It was a crazy decision, but one that I wouldn't regret.
The roller coaster of Virginia was a 14-mile stretch of steep and rocky terrain, with eight large 'pulls' to tackle. I was determined to conquer most of it, thinking it was no big deal. I had done two previous marathons, so I was confident in my abilities. But I was wrong. The roller coaster was a test of endurance and willpower, and I was about to find out just how far I could push myself.
At 2:30 PM, I started the roller coaster with 10 miles to go before reaching the iconic Bears Den hostel. I was determined to make it by 7:30 PM, in time for a hot shower, pizza, ice cream, and a bunk bed. It was a treat for myself, a reward for a Mother's Day well spent. But as I hiked, I realized that the roller coaster was not as easy as I thought. It was muggy, the blazes were not always well marked, and I got turned around a few times.
Three miles before the hostel, I hit the dreaded WALL. It was a scary feeling, especially when you're alone in the woods. I had to sit down, eat my dinner, and wait for the energy to come back. But I was determined to make it to the hostel, and I did. When I finally reached the door, I knocked and knocked, but no one answered. I banged on the door and yelled for someone to let me in. Thankfully, another hiker, Groot, heard me and came to my rescue.
The next morning, I woke up refreshed after a hot shower, pizza, and ice cream. I had two dogs to pet and a warm bed to sleep in. I didn't even notice the beautiful views from Bear's Den Rocks, but I took a few moments to appreciate them before beginning my hike. I still had 20 miles to go to Harper's Ferry, and I was determined to make it.
After 2 miles of the roller coaster on day two, I officially crossed into West Virginia. The 20 miles along the border were easy peasy, especially after the roller coaster. At 2:30 PM, I entered Harper's Ferry and followed the blue blazes to the ATC Conservancy. I was met with big smiles and congratulations from the volunteers and staff. They took my picture and welcomed me into the special hiker's lounge for a treat and beverage. I felt like royalty.
That evening, my daughter arrived at the hotel, and I surprised her in the parking lot. I had pushed myself so hard for two days, and I was able to take two zeros to spend with her. We did lots of sightseeing, but I also made sure to take her by the ATC and introduce her to the people who made me feel so welcome. West Virginia had been a breath of fresh air, and I felt like I could run towards my dream again.
In my opinion, West Virginia is a hiker's paradise. It's a place where dreams come true, and the kindness of strangers can make all the difference. It's a place where you can push yourself to your limits and still feel like you're on top of the world. So, if you're a dreamer like me, I say, run towards your dream, and let West Virginia be your guide.
