5 hrs, 10 kms

Actual date: May 20, 2015

I've deliberately postponed today's section of the Appalachia Hike for a simple reason: it's going to be a particularly beautiful and interesting stretch, so I'd like to enjoy it with company . Finally I've got a volunteer: Tim Franklin, a fellow musician/songwriter and good friend says he'll give parkbenching a try.

So I lay out the plan: drop off one car on the Virginia/West Virginia border near Charles Town, the drive the other car to Brunswick, Maryland... Parkbench Brunswick... Hike the C & O trail along the Potomac... Explore Harper's Ferry area... then follow the Appalachian Trail down to our finish point. Should be fun.

Brunswick has kind of a gritty/cozy feel to it. On one hand, it's squeezed between wooded slopes and a large river... on the other hand, it's got some kind of run down houses and a railroad running right through the middle. The centerpiece is a large parking lot used by commuters going to work in Washington DC. I must admit, it is kind of nice to see people using public transportation for a change.

I would've thought this town would be a bit more upscale though--it seems like the perfect spot for wealthier commuters who want to enjoy the quiet beauty of nature, and still be reasonably close to the city .

We find a mini-park in the middle with a couple of benches and a mural on a brick wall showing elements of the city--the train station, the canal... a church up on the ridge. Not the best artwork I've seen, but does seem to accurately depict a town that is comfortable not being the best of the best.

Tim and I take turns with the guitar--I enjoy being the audience and not just the performer... then we head down to the peaceful, flat trail that follows what was once the C & O canal (see my 1825 Williamsport entry for more on this canal). This stretch is quite popular with cyclist and hikers, which is refreshing to see. It's been pretty rare along this journey to see people out and really experiencing the outdoors.

It is a pleasant stroll under lush vegetation--although I wouldn't want to do this sort of hike for days and days on end. Finally there's a break in the woods on our left and a nice view of the fast moving Potomac. On the other side you seen nothing but dense forest... you could almost forget you're on the edge of one of the biggest megalopolises of the world.