John and Mike Take a Hike ~ with Natalie!: Day 83 (Friday, July 4th)

Today's Miles: 18.60
Trip Miles: 1061.10

Smithsburg was about 8 miles away so we started early. There was some rocky terrain with steep descents to test my leg. We were hoping to resupply quickly and get back to hiking.

The trail took us to Annapolis Rocks and a nice view. After a short break there we hiked through to Wolfsville Rd. That led us into Smithsburg a mile and a half downhill. The guide listed a Rite Aid, where I hoped to get new insoles for my tired, 1000+ mile shoes. When we got a mile down the road we spoke to a man working in his yard who told us they had moved the Rite Aid a few miles away; Drat!

We continued to the supermarket he said was still in the strip mall, and to what we thought was a sandwich shop. The sandwich shop was closed for the fourth so we ended up eating junk food from the grocery.

We were dreading the climb back up the mountain road and rueing our bad luck with the resupply when a trail angel named Kimberleigh walked over and asked if we would like a ride up to the trailhead; Yes! She let us pile into her car, told us some local history, and said we'd be able to order pizza from Pen Mar Park about ten miles away. Thanks, Kimberleigh!

We hiked over some rocky up and downs to Pen Mar. My balky leg seemed to be doing better as we went along. At the park we met Fonz, a thru we've seen on and off along the trail, who gave us a half a pizza so we didn't get any more.

We rested for a bit then moved out to find the Mason Dixon Line. We didn't go very far before we officially crossed into the north, out of Maryland and into Pa. There was a campsite a mile further on at a creek so we headed there to camp. Unfortunately the water there had been contaminated by runoff a couple of weeks before so we couldn't soak our tired feet.

We met a family from Canada, north of Quebec, who we'd camped near before. Toe Salad (dad), Fimby (mom), Otter (son, 12, I think), Tenacious Bling (daughter, 11), and a 15 year old daughter who, like many 15 year olds, didn't want to hang out with old people. They sat with us by our fire and shared some supper and small talk.

Tired and sore; time for bed.

TTFN