Well friends, after 6 months of prayer and preparation, the day had finally arrived to get going! ”Twas a long day of flying and metroing and walking, but Father was so incredibly faithful through all of it.
For starters, I flew from good ‘ole Rocky Top TYS to Washington Reagan. When I finally arrived at DCA after some travel shenanigans, the box that I’d used to check my pack was truly a sight for sore eyes-praise Him!
From there I drug my pack through the DC metro (that got some looks), enjoyed lunch with a friend from Vanderbilt, and headed out for a stroll past the monuments on the National Mall.
After an impromptu nap under a shade tree (in true thru hiker spirit), it was time to head to Union Station to catch an Amtrak train to Harpers Ferry.
In the line to board the train, another thru hiker headed back to the trail instantly recognized my gear and pulled me into line with her-my first hiking buddy! Any anxiety I had about connecting with people on the AT was instantly dispelled and my new buddy and I have been enjoying Teahorse Hostel in Harpers Ferry and the kids menu at the restaurant across the street.
Several of us here at Teahorse are headed to the same shelter-let the adventures in ministry begin!