Day 8: Thirty miles to go!

Sorry to be predictable, but it was another great day on the trail.

We were up with the light to make our usual breakfast: coffee, oatmeal and nut butter.

I had a close encounter with a deer on the trail right after we set off from our campsite. He bounded onto the trail right in front of me and stopped. Perhaps I was still a bit sluggish from our crazy night with the interrogating Park Rangers, but I just froze as I sped towards the deer. My only reaction was to let out a horrific bellow, which seemed to startle him right off the trail. We stopped and had a good laugh at the bizzare noise that came out of my mouth in a moment of panic.

We took a side trip into Harpers Ferry for a much-needed coffee break!

Harpers Ferry is a gorgeous colonial town where the states of Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia meet. It's best known for abolitionist John Brown's raid that started the Civil War.

Just a few short miles beyond Harpers Ferry, we came to Brunswick MD. We'd been told about a great little restaurant, so we had to stop and check it out.

Beans in the Belfry is a historic brick church that's been converted into a cafe and coffee shop. We fell in love with this place, and thoroughly enjoyed the food and the vibe.

Bob studying trail maps while we waited for lunch.

Back on the trail, we had 20 miles to go until our stop for the night. It felt like a long 20 miles... I think we're a bit trail weary.

We crossed the 516 ft long elevated canal way called the Monocacy Aquaduct. Completed in 1833.

Imagine barges being towed across this aquaduct by mules!

For our last night on the trail, we're staying in a historic lock house on the canal tonight at Edwards Ferry.

It's like spending the night in a museum without electricity or running water. We have the place completely to ourselves.

The lock house has lots of civil war era artifacts and photos with captions talking about what life was like for the residents of Edwards Ferry during the war.

Dining room/ kitchen/bike storage.

After settling into the house, we pumped water, made dinner and enjoyed a campfire.

Poor Bob has to read by lantern light while he's patiently waiting for me to finish blogging so we can go to sleep.

Good night!