So where was I and where did I leave off???

Uuumm, Yes, Washington DC. And we were three heading to Harper's Ferry.
Poncho Bear with his dog College Boy and Chef eased into the day's hike with a little hill of 1,000 feet and then had lunch at the top. College Boy being a dog and all would routinely lay down in large muddy puddles if there was the slightest delay in our step. He was very intrigued by all the new smells and hidden whereabouts so he scampered from left to right, back to front. At the very least we thought all this running would get the ol' College Boy 'dog tired' and it was great entertainment but he kept on running until we got to camp that night where he proudly made his bed under the table.

I was also pleasantly surprised to see a friend of mine, Old Spice, from the very beginning of the trail at our mid-day break. I figured there would be a good possibility of having someone catch up during my time in DC but I did not expect it to happen in the first few hours upon my return.
And so we hiked on, "And my wolf pack, it grew by one. So there... there was 3 of us in the wolf pack. I was alone first in the pack and Poncho and College Boy joined in later. And then Spice Man showed up and we were 4". That last part was adapted from the movie 'The Hangover' but still you get the point and it's a great movie.

Eventually, Poncho Bear was sore and popping a couple aspirin but we had made it to our weekend destination where he and his now tired dog would be picked up. His parents arrived with my resupply and 2 wonderful pizzas accompanied with soda. It was the perfect way to reenter the AT after having spend 10 days in DC lounging in the city, sleeping in a bed and seeing friends. I now know how easy it is to get "soft" and how hard it is to get back to 10hrs of hiking once you have tasted the creature comforts you're so used to.

But, although my wolfpack was down to 2 and College Boy was no longer running head long into the bushes and mud puddles, the transition was made simple so I was not thinking of all the things I would miss but rather all the celebrations lined up for the next 2 weekends. A law school graduation party for my dear friend Melissa along with the announcement of her engagement to Marc in Harrisburg and then reconnecting with my best college friend Joey for his wedding in Pittsburgh (all interspersed with Playoff hockey). My mind was a whirling dervish of past memories, anxious exuberance, and simple contentment in my daydreaming limber locomotion.

I arrived at the famous hostel/bar (or infamous based on how awful you feel when leaving in the morning) in Duncanon named "The Doyle". This is one of the most hiker friendly places on the trail where 20 measly dollars will get you a fine meal, a couple of beers and a crappy room. From my understanding, The Doyle is so notorious for it's "friendly atmosphere" that the decrepit rooms will give you no other choice but to go back down a have half a dozen more beverages. I did not have the pleasure of staying since I was being picked up by Melissa's father, Kevin, but I did enjoy a beer with other hikers while waiting.
Next, Celebration Station.