Harpers Ferry

We have traveled far enough south that the fall colors are back! What a great surprise into November.

Harpers Ferry was an interesting town. In addition to being the "mental halfway point" for the Appalachian Trail, it has so much Civil War history. I had no idea the strife that has happened here between the Civil War impact on the small city and flooding that has since repeatedly destroyed the city.

During the War, both the Confederate and the Union armies wanted control of Harpers Ferry. Not only did it have an arsenal and armory (a place to store weapons), but also the town was located at the meeting point of important railroads and at the meeting of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers. Union soldiers, outnumbered set fire to their own armory in an attempt to thwart the usage of it by an advancing Virginian Confederate militia.

The story of John Brown is incredible. It was interesting to see his house was preserved... though moved 4 times - including back and forth from Chicago to the World's Fair. The house/fort is the one with the rounded windows above 3 doors.

We walked to the confluence of the Rivers - very pretty area. It was fun to walk over the bridge and go from West Virginia to Maryland and see Virginia across the way.

The 'billboard' above the railroad tunnel was fascinating to see. It is from the early 1900s. It is an ad that says Mennen’s Borated Talcum Toilet Powder! How on earth was it placed there? Apparently it was no uncommon to do so but this one was especially large. It was done with milk and whitewash but when the town 'volunteers' who were unhappy with it went up to cover it with paint remover - it reappeared 4 years later. It remains today - difficult to read but clearly still there.

Also interesting in the area is Jefferson Rock. The rock he stood on is now reinforced with 4 stone pillars. The rock itself was unstable and swayed dangerously in its high perch. The story goes that Jefferson stood here on October 25, 1783, admiring the view of the rivers below. In his famous writings about the area he declared that "This scene is worth a voyage across the Atlantic"

We also traveled to Shenandoah National Park. Very pretty colors there as well and fun to think we were parallel to the Appalachian Trail.

West Virginia is known for their Pepperoni Rolls... we had to try that! The root has its roots in the mining industry allowing miners to bring a hearty shelf stable food they could eat with one hand into the mines for lunch. Not bad - a bit dry.

We stopped in at the Appalachian Trail Headquarters and to our delight - there was a man there who was literally JUST finishing the trail! He started in March and went from WV to Maine. Then he flew home to Illinois for a week rest and started again in Georgia and was finishing the last 1/2 mile. It was incredible to meet him and hear a few stories. Thank you, Maui, for letting us take your photo and sharing a bit of your journey with us.

Shepherdstown was fun to walk around and see the river. We also had to stop in the bakery and try Stollen - so yummy! Also a whoopi pie!

Shepherdstown

November 2022