At the end you mentioned going into Washington, D.C., which is only a bit over an hour away from Harpers Ferry. You can take a train from Harpers Ferry into DC by using the MARC commuter rail service (the Brunswick Line). I think it takes you to Union Station, which is just a couple of blocks away from the Capitol and is linked by subway to the sights and museums along the Mall, etc. It looks like there is also an Amtrak link to Union Station, as well.
I bicycled the length of Skyline Drive. I agree there are some awesome views. I biked half then overnighted in Big Meadow campground and did the second half the next day. In my opinion bicycling Skyline Drive or the Blue Ridge Parkway is much better than driving it. I will get to see the Backpacking side of this in 2025 as I will be hiking NOBO in about 5 weeks from today.
Thanks for yet another post-thru-hike video. From the expression on your face when you're just talking about your experiences on (and off) the trail, it's obvious how much you enjoyed your AT thru-hike and how many wonderful memories you have. Visiting Damascus during Trail Days would also afford you the opportunity to bike on the Creeper Trail -just a thought. BTW, Bandit really knows how to embrace the suck when it comes to the weather!
That sounds amazing, Moly Rose! Swimming and a New York visit while hiking the Appalachian Trail? That’s the ultimate trail-life balance! 🏞🗽 Like, 'I’m hiking from Georgia to Maine… but why not swing by the Empire State Building while I’m at it?' 😄 And swimming? Totally makes sense - sometimes you just need to give your legs a different workout than climbing up and down mountains! What are your plans for 2025?
@@benk6482 Well if you've seen Skyline Caverns, admittedly the others in the area are similar (Endless Caverns/Grand Caverns/Shenandoah Caverns). That said I REALLY want to see a cavern that doesnt have electric running through it!
@ That’s a great point too - it’s always a little weird to me that these spaces that are marketed as completely natural are also bathed in colored lighting and there are cables and junction boxes everywhere. Would be cool to just have a headlamp and nothing else.
We went back a year later and rode the Creeper Trail. It was well worth it. One of the bike rental companies will take you to the top of the mountain for a reasonable cost and you can ride downhill almost the whole distance into Damascus. 😊
Well, at least Bandit got a good run on the beach. 😊 Maine is a tough example; so much is too far away from the AT. Post hike would be the better option to explore. There's quite a bit to do close to the Gorham, NH section of the trail. Scenic roads, waterfalls, quick vista trails, theme parks, and amenities. 8:15
History! You hiked by so many historical sites. You hiked within 7 miles of Antietam battlefield, which was the bloodiest day in American history. If you had gone up the hill from AT Conservancy in Harper's Ferry there was a battlefield at Bolivar Heights. Harper's Ferry switched hands at least 8 times during the Civil War and was home to the largest surrender of US troops up until World War II. You did hike directly though the Battle of South Mountain, C&O Canal Towpath and several spots the Continental Army marched during the American Revolution. You hiked over several historical rivers.. Potomac, Shenandoah, James. You hike near Gettysburg, Monterrey Pass, Jefferson's Rock and multiple battles in the strategic Shenandoah Valley. But, the pool, sauna, lakes and hot springs were definitely a better option after so much hiking. Biking the Creeper Trail, too. I hear some people aquablaze in VA. Great insight, Molly.
Yep -- a lot of history particularly in the middle states. BTW/My great-grandfather was at Harpers Ferry during the Antietam campaign, was taken prisoner and then was paroled (they were still doing that in 1862).
Hi Molly! So nice to see your smiling face again : ) This was a fun addition to your thru-hike vids. It was so fun & informative to watch your hike, especially because you aimed the camera in front of you a lot, so I got to see a lot more of the Trail than I get just living nearby (near Harpers Ferry). I'd be curious if you have thought about a video where you describe some of the emotional/mental/spiritual experiences you had & how assimilating back to Life has been, & what lessons you're learned about yourself. Take care & happy trails!!
Catch a summer blockbuster at the theater in Hanover, NH. Visit Gettysburg Battlefield in Southern PA (Route 30), and Luray Caverns near Shenandoah National Park.
I grew up in the greater New York area. I have fond memories of taking the Hudson River Dayliner up the River to Bear Mountain. My grandmother did not drive so she was always looking for innovative ways for us to get to places of interest. I swam in that pool and of course, we went to the zoo. Glad you had a chance to enjoy it.
Good video. Everyone has some non hiking event, unplanned, I suppose. Totally random - in 2023, due to the extreme high water in Maine, we were diverted over Sugarloaf Mtn in Maine to avoid the flooded Carrabassett. It was Saturday, so the ski lifts were bringing visitors up and down Sugarloaf for sightseeing. My buddy Ranger had never seen or been on a ski lift, so we loaded up the packs and rode down. A highlight for him. Ate lunch at the base before shuttling to The Maine Roadhouse. Random and short but a non hiking event. Philmont
Thank you for sharing your experiences on the AT side activities. Having fun is important! WOW! The ocean shots were exhilarating and so alive !😅 And Bandit had Fun!😅
Very nice you were able to share some additional memorable experiences with your fellow hiking friends and family while thru hiking the Appalachian trail. Great info for any new thru hiker for 2025!
I'm a bit jealous of that beach scene in the beginning. As a photographer those conditions were sweeeeet!! LOL! Fog and the ocean for long exposure images. Skyline Drive is so beautiful. I lived in Winchester, VA which is very close to Front Royal and loved taking road trips up there. I'm lucky enough to live in the Lehigh Valley area of PA very close to many AT trailheads. I hike it all the time. It's also only about a 2 hour drive to NYC. It's fun to park in New Jersey at Port Imperial and take a ferry across the Hudson River. Interesting that you didn't include eating a half gallon of ice cream in this list! LOL! Fun video, thanks for sharing!
You always produce great shows! You have a wonderful talent for it. I appreciate your enthusiasm. Perhaps I missed it, but did Ziggy get to finish his thru hike?
I love that you enjoyed some time in my state of New York as we often get a bad rap.🙁. I agree Skyline Drive is great with amazing views. Happy trails.🤟🏻🥾🏔
I’m so surprised the ponies didn’t make it! You seemed super excited about them - did they not live up to your expectations? I know there are issues, too, with people feeding them so maybe you didn’t want to hype them up?
At the end you mentioned going into Washington, D.C., which is only a bit over an hour away from Harpers Ferry. You can take a train from Harpers Ferry into DC by using the MARC commuter rail service (the Brunswick Line). I think it takes you to Union Station, which is just a couple of blocks away from the Capitol and is linked by subway to the sights and museums along the Mall, etc. It looks like there is also an Amtrak link to Union Station, as well.
I bicycled the length of Skyline Drive. I agree there are some awesome views. I biked half then overnighted in Big Meadow campground and did the second half the next day. In my opinion bicycling Skyline Drive or the Blue Ridge Parkway is much better than driving it. I will get to see the Backpacking side of this in 2025 as I will be hiking NOBO in about 5 weeks from today.
I bet that was a fantastic experience! Skyline Drive is gorgeous. Good Luck on your thru hike!
Thanks for yet another post-thru-hike video. From the expression on your face when you're just talking about your experiences on (and off) the trail, it's obvious how much you enjoyed your AT thru-hike and how many wonderful memories you have. Visiting Damascus during Trail Days would also afford you the opportunity to bike on the Creeper Trail -just a thought. BTW, Bandit really knows how to embrace the suck when it comes to the weather!
Thank you for sharing those experiences. I went to Luray Caverns outside the Shennies when I was hiking this past Fall and was so glad I did.
That sounds amazing, Moly Rose! Swimming and a New York visit while hiking the Appalachian Trail? That’s the ultimate trail-life balance! 🏞🗽 Like, 'I’m hiking from Georgia to Maine… but why not swing by the Empire State Building while I’m at it?' 😄 And swimming? Totally makes sense - sometimes you just need to give your legs a different workout than climbing up and down mountains! What are your plans for 2025?
You should have done Luray Caverns with your step Mom too! You were walking over caves, so may as well go see one too.
I may just not be a cave person, but I was underwhelmed by Skyline Caverns - is Luray better?
@@benk6482 Well if you've seen Skyline Caverns, admittedly the others in the area are similar (Endless Caverns/Grand Caverns/Shenandoah Caverns). That said I REALLY want to see a cavern that doesnt have electric running through it!
@ That’s a great point too - it’s always a little weird to me that these spaces that are marketed as completely natural are also bathed in colored lighting and there are cables and junction boxes everywhere. Would be cool to just have a headlamp and nothing else.
We went back a year later and rode the Creeper Trail. It was well worth it. One of the bike rental companies will take you to the top of the mountain for a reasonable cost and you can ride downhill almost the whole distance into Damascus. 😊
That sounds like a fun time! I can’t wait to go back!
Well, at least Bandit got a good run on the beach. 😊 Maine is a tough example; so much is too far away from the AT. Post hike would be the better option to explore. There's quite a bit to do close to the Gorham, NH section of the trail. Scenic roads, waterfalls, quick vista trails, theme parks, and amenities. 8:15
I wish I could have visited Acadia when I was in Maine!
Lived here my whole life, never been. 😮 My brothers been and said it was unforgettable. 👍
History! You hiked by so many historical sites. You hiked within 7 miles of Antietam battlefield, which was the bloodiest day in American history. If you had gone up the hill from AT Conservancy in Harper's Ferry there was a battlefield at Bolivar Heights. Harper's Ferry switched hands at least 8 times during the Civil War and was home to the largest surrender of US troops up until World War II.
You did hike directly though the Battle of South Mountain, C&O Canal Towpath and several spots the Continental Army marched during the American Revolution. You hiked over several historical rivers.. Potomac, Shenandoah, James. You hike near Gettysburg, Monterrey Pass, Jefferson's Rock and multiple battles in the strategic Shenandoah Valley.
But, the pool, sauna, lakes and hot springs were definitely a better option after so much hiking. Biking the Creeper Trail, too. I hear some people aquablaze in VA. Great insight, Molly.
Yep -- a lot of history particularly in the middle states. BTW/My great-grandfather was at Harpers Ferry during the Antietam campaign, was taken prisoner and then was paroled (they were still doing that in 1862).
Hi Molly! So nice to see your smiling face again : ) This was a fun addition to your thru-hike vids. It was so fun & informative to watch your hike, especially because you aimed the camera in front of you a lot, so I got to see a lot more of the Trail than I get just living nearby (near Harpers Ferry). I'd be curious if you have thought about a video where you describe some of the emotional/mental/spiritual experiences you had & how assimilating back to Life has been, & what lessons you're learned about yourself. Take care & happy trails!!
Catch a summer blockbuster at the theater in Hanover, NH. Visit Gettysburg Battlefield in Southern PA (Route 30), and Luray Caverns near Shenandoah National Park.
The Antietam Battlefield is also just a hop off the Trail from Harpers Ferry or the Maryland section.
I grew up in the greater New York area. I have fond memories of taking the Hudson River Dayliner up the River to Bear Mountain. My grandmother did not drive so she was always looking for innovative ways for us to get to places of interest. I swam in that pool and of course, we went to the zoo. Glad you had a chance to enjoy it.
Those sound like some wonderful memories! Thanks for sharing 😃
Great video!!! Thanks for sharing!
Good video. Everyone has some non hiking event, unplanned, I suppose. Totally random - in 2023, due to the extreme high water in Maine, we were diverted over Sugarloaf Mtn in Maine to avoid the flooded Carrabassett. It was Saturday, so the ski lifts were bringing visitors up and down Sugarloaf for sightseeing. My buddy Ranger had never seen or been on a ski lift, so we loaded up the packs and rode down. A highlight for him. Ate lunch at the base before shuttling to The Maine Roadhouse. Random and short but a non hiking event. Philmont
Thank you for sharing your experiences on the AT side activities. Having fun is important! WOW! The ocean shots were exhilarating and so alive !😅 And Bandit had Fun!😅
Thanks. ✌🏻👊🏼
Great choices…lots of fun!🙂🙏
Very nice you were able to share some additional memorable experiences with your fellow hiking friends and family while thru hiking the Appalachian trail. Great info for any new thru hiker for 2025!
I'm a bit jealous of that beach scene in the beginning. As a photographer those conditions were sweeeeet!! LOL! Fog and the ocean for long exposure images. Skyline Drive is so beautiful. I lived in Winchester, VA which is very close to Front Royal and loved taking road trips up there. I'm lucky enough to live in the Lehigh Valley area of PA very close to many AT trailheads. I hike it all the time. It's also only about a 2 hour drive to NYC. It's fun to park in New Jersey at Port Imperial and take a ferry across the Hudson River. Interesting that you didn't include eating a half gallon of ice cream in this list! LOL! Fun video, thanks for sharing!
You always produce great shows! You have a wonderful talent for it. I appreciate your enthusiasm. Perhaps I missed it, but did Ziggy get to finish his thru hike?
Thank you Molly for all of your videos 😊 I'm really glad you completed the AT and I look forward to your next thru hike!
Rafting the Nantahala river in NC would be fun too.
Yessss 🙌
I love that you enjoyed some time in my state of New York as we often get a bad rap.🙁. I agree Skyline Drive is great with amazing views. Happy trails.🤟🏻🥾🏔
Good video, that beach looked cold.
I'm going to miss your hiking videos this year, great to hear from you,
You live on the Oregon coast the Coast with the most I completed the entire west cost 3 years ago Oregon is the best
Thanks for sharing!
great video, do you think you'll ever go to trail days?
I would love to!
🥾👑
I’m so surprised the ponies didn’t make it! You seemed super excited about them - did they not live up to your expectations? I know there are issues, too, with people feeding them so maybe you didn’t want to hype them up?
Does your husband like to hike with you?