We are ready to hike!

We arrived at Shepherd's Spring just about 3:00, in time to check in, get our room keys, and unpack.  The center is on over 250 acres, with their property extending to the Tow Path and the Potomac River.  We went for a hike on their trails, got somewhat lost, but did finally find the tow path.

A walk on the C & O Canal Towpath

At dinner we met our fellow hikers.  We have 15 in our group, 10 women and 5 men.  The participants come from all over the country, including Texas, California, Wisconsin, and Georgia.  It was fun hearing about the different RS programs they have all done.  Dinner was an excellent buffet with baked chicken and yummy baked apples for dessert.  We will need to do a lot of hiking if we eat like this all week!

Our group at the end of Thursday's hike

   
After dinner an AT thru-hiker who now works for the AT Conservancy gave an excellent talk and Power Point presentation on the history of the AT.  We are scheduled to hike on the AT in Pennsylvania tomorrow.  Hopefully the weather will cooperate.