Pen Mar -- border of MD and PA

16 miles today, partly sunny and warm to start, then loud rolling thunder all afternoon but only raining the last hour or so of hiking. Staying at very nice hostel, bed and breakfast really, called "Nostalgic Dreams" in Cascade MD. And only $25 including breakfast. My first night I stayed in the shelter with a guy I met last fall in Maine named "I think I can" and he told me how wonderful this place is. Owner Elizabeth, very friendly and an excellent cook, also took great pains to decorate the 3 bedrooms. Here are 2 of them, mine the Victorian one with my mess on the bed.

Earlier today

Large black snake sunning on trail; about a yard long and slow moving.

Annapolis Rocks MD

Tenting tonight, with rain moving in tomorrow. But sunburned today, and bugs in my face as I set up tent and cooked. Small smudge fire of leaves helped keep them away. Sitting out on the rocks but too tired to wait for sunset.

Washington monument, Boonesboro MD version

This was built in 1827. Two hawk counters were on duty on top.

Weverton Cliffs

Further down the trail I met day-hiking Sean and Revell, who's from Ethiopia, now working in a hospital in Frederick MD.

Harper's Ferry

Laurie Poltiger works at the ATC HQ here and kindly helped me get Rodney listed as a 2000 miler last winter.

AT again

In memory of Rodney Montgomery

April 3, 1955-April 21, 2014