Day 323 Day totals: 15 hrs, 37.5 kms
Note: the dates are changed to keep the entries in geographical order
I was a bit hesitant to take such a huge detour just to include Frederick in my Superhike . For one thing, I've been to Frederick twice and don't really feel there's a whole lot more to discover here... for another thing, Frederick is more a part of the Greater Washington/Baltimore metropolis, so it really should be a part of my Megalopolis Superhike, not the Appalachian one...
But in the end I decided to just make the 20 mile detour and include another full size city in my mostly farmland and small town Superhike.  
So here we are... I start right where I left off last time, in an area of nice, new townhouse developments and endless strip malls... that abruptly switches to the rather shabby but freshly painted old houses packed tightly together as I reach the historical core. It never has a run down ghetto feel here though--my suspicion is that it's because Frederick has become more and more a commuter city for people working in DC (which is extremely expensive). This is driving up the cost of housing here in Frederick as well--so even an old working class house downtown is going to fetch a handsome sum.
I see a notice on a door from the city that says "It has been called to our attention that the door on this house has been changed without authorization from city government to insure that its in accord with the historical preservation of our city .."
So, it looks like they actually do take preserving old buildings seriously here--almost European style!
It's a Sunday morning and most of the neighborhoods are pretty dead. But a long park along Carroll Creek that runs through town is full of life. Plenty of area for sports and games... a tall stone tower in the center... many unique bridges across the river--including my favorite, a covered bridge... Looks like Frederick is winning me over.
Finally the park ends and I loop back towards town, taking a detour through the beautiful Hood College where all the buildings have a distint style--I think its georgian style, with red brick and neoclassical white pillars or cupolas on the front... then there's a beautiful vine covered gazebo in the center.  
Northside in town is a beautiful upscale neighborhood with manicured gardens--sometimes even a large fountain in the middle. I do notice that the "borders" between the upscale neighborhoods and the working class ones are particularly abrupt here in Harrisburg...
Finally I make it to Markets Street, the heart of the city . Here you have your typical cafes, barbershops and antique shops typical of Northeast "Main Streets". The difference is that this Main Street is teeming with life. Clearly this is the place to be on a Sunday morning. This is a bit unusual. Usually on Sunday mornings Main Streets are pretty dead. People are either sitting at home, heading to the nearest Walmart or taking their kids to the park. But here, Main Street is the place to be. 
It's a heartwarming feeling. I wonder, are these locals, or maybe folks from DC taking a day away from the big city? I'm not sure. It is a reminder, that for American Main Streets to stay alive, you need more than government funding and tax breaks for businesses... you need people to come and consider a stroll and a shop on Main Street as a fun thing to do.
There's a farmer's market going on--complete with a live country singer playing for tips. Frederick feels a bit out of the "Bible Belt" not as many churches crammed in here. But the ones that are here are quite impressive, with their towering spires . I parked my car 22 kms away, and now I'm kind of regretting that... if I hadn't parked so far away I could spend more time just wandering around town here...
I reach Caroll Creek again on the south side of town. Here's where I took my video clip back in 2008, when I officially parkbenched Frederick. Once again I enjoy the beautiful bridges and painted on fake stone facades... Yes, I'm glad I came back for a second time...
And now, I'd better head down the road. I still have a lot of walking to do.
The Hike to Brunswick
Time to head west once again, back towards the ever elusive REAL Appalachian trail. I walk along a sun scorched stretch of road, then up over a gentle ridge and into the Middletown Valley once again, the sort of "in between" valley sandwiched between Cumberland Valley and the Baltimore/Washington plains. Here I pass through the unincorporated town of Jefferson... not counted as a town, but still a glimpse at a historical enclave of civilization. Here you do feel that you're "breaking away" from the urban sprawl and you're out in the country again .
Something makes my ears perk up... Is that... mariachi? Sure enough. From a rural home, a fellow is playing Vicente Fernandez while working on his car. It's not that common to see Latinos living in their own homes out in the countryside in the parts... I guess times are changing.
And then... the climax of my day.
Immersing myself in water is an important experience during my Superhikes--most of them have included a "baptism" of sorts along the way. There's something special and symbolic about the feeling of water rushing over you--especially on a hot day. And today I'm going to enjoy the first baptism of my Appalachia Superhike.  
I reach the Catoctin River--which is a true river, not just a stream. I may have to venture into private property to reach the shore, but it's worth the risk. I change into my shorts and hop in.
The current is too strong to do any real swimming (without being smashed against the rocks) so I just sit in the refreshing coolness and relax for a bit, letting the water carry all my weariness away. I gingerly walk across the river and back--just to see if I can do it... Get out of the water... then back in again... out... back in again... Finally I reluctantly head on my way.
I continue on my way, finally reaching Brunswick at dusk. This looks like an intriguing town--but I'm going to save exploring it for another day.