Day 23 - Harpers Ferry - Weds Aug 25 2021

A hot, hot night in the Westchester Walmart saw a late start (again!), followed by a quick drive to Frederick, to meet up with Colin, Toby's old boss. And then on to the main event of the day: Harper's Ferry - One of the two sites of the first American Armory and Arsenal.

Harper's Ferry is a delightful historic town; it sits on a peninsula where the Shenandoah flowing North meets the Potomac, which continues East. In the early days of the American expansion this river confluence and strategic position was important as a river crossing point and as a center of industry (machines were entirely driven by belts connected to vast waterwheels using the river's power to drive them). 

My drivers (bless their little cotton socks - they're such eager outdoor wannabes!) decided to walk down to the village and follow the Appalachian trail. Here's the view looking East, with the Potomac in the distance, just where the Shenandoah joins:

The way into the village passes by "Jefferson's Rock" - the import of which was lost to all in this party, but it made for a quick stop on a hot day!

Indeed, so hot was the walk than my Brave Adventurers did no more than retire to the nearest brewery and imbibe of their finest ale. Typical - all talk and little stamina. 

I tried to remind them that they'd come here to learn some American History and don't feel I was treated very respectfully as a consequence. I can only believe that the Tall Sweaty One had had one beer too many and had totally lost the plot! 

The afternoon was spent watching a demonstration of old muskets (sorry - video only - too much data to upload for my Measly Data Plan) being fired, and then enjoying the big thunderstorms that rolled through later, turning the streets into small rivers and cooling us all down considerably!

Another night at Walmart's, so I hear. Oh how very jolly!