20 May 2001 Sun - Silver Springs MD to Harper’s Ferry, WV

---continuing my travels and ancestor tracking...

Left Silver Springs, MD, and with the help of my GPS made my way through Rockville, MD to get on Hwy 270 to Harper’s Ferry.  Though only 60 miles away it seemed in another world.  I saw a dead deer on the side of the road at Rockville.  The country is very picturesque and rural.  I crossed over the Potomac river and was immediately at Harper’s Ferry National Historic Site and the KOA Kampground where I had a reservation. 

 

Potomac River bridge

 



Shenandoah River

  










My campsite home - 1st night in van

 

The campground office closed at 2pm (still winter to them) but I made it in time to check in and check out their elaborate facilities of a store, gym, pool, laundry and many camp spaces.  Not a lot of people competing for spaces.  There were many big Motor Homes, no little Conversion vans like mine.  I had a place by myself in the tent section since I didn’t want electrical (silly me!) or water hook-ups – I decided to go “Cold Turkey” and see how I did in my van. Cheaper that way too.  There was a blue tarp used as a shelter for the one Appalachian Trail hiker in the “Appalachian Trail hiker’s section.  Unfortunately it rained later as I headed to the nearby Visitor’s Center of Harper’s Ferry.  In fact rain is in the forecast for days



On the streets of Harper's Ferry, WV







John Brown's Fort - (fire house)



Church rennovation Harpers Ferry

 

Very few people visit Harper’s Ferry in the rain, I discovered. I was amazed to see just what Harper’s Ferry is. I thought it was something to do with John Brown’s body and the start of the civil war. I expected to see a working ferry boat. Well, I learned that John Brown led a revolt here to eventually free the southern slaves, and captured a US armory here in 1859. After 36 hours, and his supporters did not materialize to help, he was captured in a brick fire engine house and his much planned revolution ended with his hanging. This is credited with galvanizing northern sentiment to accepting a war between the states. Harper's Ferry was a thriving industrial town due to the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers providing abundant power for mills and machines. Today the town has been somewhat restored as a historic site, after eight times changing hands in the civil war and burning and after many devastating floods through the years. It is far more interesting that I had imagined and worthy of a day or two of visiting.

For dinner I went to the nearby Golden Corral in Charles Town, WV and enjoyed their feast. Because of the rain, I drove the van from my “camp site” to the restroom – no use getting wet. Then came the test – how would I sleep in the van? My first night!!!  Well, I slept very well, although it became somewhat cold during the night. Tomorrow night I’ll sleep IN the sleeping bag, instead of on top of it with just a poncho liner on top. Sure does get dark.  You notice the dark when you don't have electricity for a light.