Date: 22 Jul 96 11:00:26 EDT
From: Richard Kushman

Day 107  6/15/96   Sunday   6   miles

A beautiful sunny day would welcome us to Harpers Ferry. The trail was
generally easy with only a short stretch of annoying rocks and the final
steep climb into town. Nexmo and Sallyride were waiting at ATC
Headquarters, and reaching this particular goal felt wonderful. We had our
pictures taken and checked the album for all our trail friends. Of course
we purchased tee-shirts to proudly advertise our last three and one half
months.  Ezduzit, along with his wife and daughter, met us for lunch and
to show his gratitude for Nexmo's efforts as a trail angel, he picked up
the tab. Nexmo has worked hard at her new profession, not only taking care
of me and our immediate friends, but stopping to help any hiker she
encountered. 

We had come a long way, but completing the trail to Maine in the allowed
time was just not possible. Like Ezduzit, we would now be "Big Chunk
Section Hikers". We took a vote and Nexmo convinced me to head South to
Florida for a vacation. We would visit my mother and goof off. Bronco and
Puddin pushed on and the Honeymooners returned to Kentucky to pick up
their truck, so Sally could ride. 

**** BLUE BLAZE - EQUIPMENT COMMENTS **

We hiked day after day on the Appalachian Trail and met many hikers who
carried all manner of equipment and no hiker left the trail or failed to
complete his goal because of equipment failure. Equipment will not
determine success but will certainly contribute to the comfort level of
any hike. 

That said, just keep the weight down as low as possible and your most
important piece of equipment, your body, will have a safer and more
comfortable trip.. 

The down or synthetic sleeping bag argument will go on forever. Both, of
course, work on the trail. With a good tent, a plastic garbage bag, and a
little care, I had no problem keeping my down bag dry. Nexmo complained
about the smell of my bag but the question remains, blame the down bag or
the Download. 

We used a Gaz stove and loved it. Very cold weather will affect the
efficiency of the stove, however, if most of your hiking is done in above
freezing conditions, you will find this type of stove very easy to use and
reliable. The gas canisters are available along the trail and come in two
sizes. I recommend the larger size in cold weather, oh yes, and sleep with
it.
****************************************

AFTERTHOUGHT  7/22/96:

We have been off the trail a few weeks now and have found no white blazes
along city streets. People walking by generally avert their eyes and few
offer a greeting. We have fallen into step with the off trail crowd and
much too easily. A reason to be sad perhaps, but also considering AT 
magic, a reason to go back.

"Download" & "Nexmo"