So, we have completed all 521 miles of Virginia finally! The cars crossing over the Shenandoah River Bridge, which many of you have crossed here in Harpers Ferry, must have thought we were crazy as we yelled at our first sight of our beautiful Maryland across the Potomac. Now we've got a room at the Charlestown Racing Complex with our mom and dad. Tomorrow its off to meet up with the homeboys near I-70. Today we broke the 1000 mile marker. The Proclaimers can eat their little hearts out. Halfway is soon at 1089.1. Shenandoah National Park was a zoo of tourists and food stops. It is absolutely amazing to see the difference in hiking this section in the summer than in winter; there are places we cannot even recognize. We spent the 3rd with Mike Byers, Chris' old friend from UDallas. There was ample destruction of the local McDonald's and an awesome potluck with the local cub scout troop. Sleeping through the fireworks displays was a bit depressing however.

In reflection, I am becoming incredibly grateful for the perspective which this trip has allowed me. I am outside any normal life routine. I have no standard group of friends out here. We meet new people every day with new and interesting views of life. I think it is easy to fall into a myopic worldview when everything becomes routine and familiar. The things you read in the news, the products you buy, the day to day events can fog us into thinking that what we have is all there is. Not knowing who you will spend the evening with, what the next town will hold, and what the next turn will bring make the uncertainty of our lives far more palpable. Every day I become more happy with this hike and Chris would say the same.