Merry Maryland

AT Architecture

Today, we hiked about 14 miles of meandering Maryland trail. The weather was perfect, again, and the trail was gentle and the breeze was sweet. Today seemed to be a day full of knowledge. This section of the trail winds through some very historic country, with some very interesting and important Civil War stories to tell for those who care to listen. We were bombarded with information all day. From the useful...

Battle History

...to the very useful...

Key Trail Skills

We also saw some very interesting buildings and structures as we passed through Gathland State Park, the former estate of a Mr. Townsend, one of the most prolific war correspondents during the Civil War.

Stone Arch

War Correspondents Memorial Arch

GATH's Tomb, which remains empty to this day.

We took our time wandering the trail today, since there were so many interesting things to see. The AT intersects with something called the "Civil War Trail" every now and then along this section, and at the intersections there are always informational signs, memorials and other tidbits to see. The only thing I can complain about is the gnats, which just would not leave me alone today. I think I smashed about 5 dozen of the little pests as they were trying to buzz into my eyeballs today. Daddy tells me it's because I'm so sweet. I'd rather be more bitter and have less gnat wings in my eyelashes. But it could always be worse. We made it to the pickup in time for a nice steak dinner. I met a wolf on a leash in the parking lot of the restaurant. I wish I had a picture of her. She was someone's pet, and he claimed she was "half wolf, half German Shepherd," but there was very little "Shepherd" about that huge dog. She was beautiful and sweet and let me pet her. Just another day of adventures on the AT.

Fall Colors on a Civil War Battlefield

Quote of the Day: "Good Night Gath" - carved inscription above the door to Mr. Gath's empty tomb.