Three States in Five Hours

After a few wrong turns on our way to Harpers Ferry Saturday morning our intrepid band of adventurers eventually reached the trailhead and set off on their way. It was an epic journey, sure to go down in history alongside those of Odysseus, Nellie Bly and Andrew Summers Rowan.

Anyway, if anyone is looking for a fun way to fill a Saturday a walk around Harpers Ferry, and I do mean around Harpers Ferry, would not be a waste of your time. Our third president, Thomas Jefferson, described it far better than I when he wrote this in Notes on the State of Virginia, in 1785.

For those of you who aren't going to take the time to read the whole thing, here's the short version:

"The passage of the Patowmac through the Blue Ridge is perhaps one of the most stupendous scenes in Nature...This scene is worth a voyage across the Atlantic."

I'd say if it was worth crossing an ocean using the wind for power in the 18th century, it's probably still worth a drive from the District, NoVa or Maryland. To tempt you even further, here are a couple pictures I took during our little walk.

The confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah at Harpers Ferry.
Except for the bridges and some of the buildings, it probably looks
a lot like it did when T.J. first saw it.

This caught my eye was we passed it by.

Shadows, light, headstones and blue skies. If I have to die,
this cemetery is probably not a bad place to spend eternity.

One of the views from Jefferson's Rock. I was hoping for a bit more
color in the leaves on the hills, but I was happy with what I got.

A blast of color in front of the ruins of the Episcopal Church.

The last picture I took after crossing the last bridge,
from Maryland back into Virginia. I wonder if the guy
in the bottom left caught anything?

Our heroes hiked about seven miles, through three states, crossed three bridges over two rivers (we crossed the Potomac twice) and ended the day here with burgers, fries and shakes (at least I had a shake, and it was gooooood). I recommend it if you ever get to Frederick.

I don't know where next year's off-road adventure will take me and my friends, but I do know this: If I can't think of somewhere interesting I wouldn't mind going back to Harpers Ferry.