HARPERS FAERIE (Free & Open Gathering Area)

[Drogo Greenhood]

Hear ye, here yee!
I will take this opportunity to extend an open invitation, year-round to ALL MIDDLE EARTH RANGERS to come camp or visit 'HARPERS FAERIE' (Harpers Ferry, WV middle of the Appalachian Trail in the Tri-State DC area). Although I have traveled far to distant lands as a ranger, I learn and practice most of my skills here in my home area. I grew up next door to the Headquarters for the National Park Service / Appalachian Trail Center. I build organic shelters, have knowledge of the land and its peoples, and grow guard-inns of edible plants, herbs, and i study what most call weeds. The idea here being this is a FREE and OPEN INVITATION, and I can even direct you to FREE (if not "open") places to camp or hike in this area.

Maps and Introductions to the area:
Historic Town - http://historicharpersferry.com/
National Park Service - http://www.nps.gov/hafe/index.htm
General Wiki - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harpers_Fe ... t_Virginia

Harpers Faerie Ranger Photos: https://picasaweb.google.com/1030400645 ... directlink

[Eledhwen]

Now see, this is the kind of thing that makes me wish I had the time to get the kit, hit the AT near here, and trek in kit all the way down to Harpers Faerie. My, my, what a trip THAT would be. Do it during hunting season and one could even take the odd bit of wild game maybe...

The stuff dreams are made of, aye.

The AT is about 30 miles from where I live, less in a straight line, which isn't possible in actually traveling there.

Eledhwen

[Drogo Greenhood]

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/N ... directlink

Well met, Eledhwen!
Come visit 'Ranger Rock' (Jefferson's Rock). I was a landscape engineer in the Air Force and in the civilian world, and knowing some history I can testify that Thomas Jefferson as a Surveyor used numerous ranger skills.

[Eledhwen]

That would be some trip on foot; 600 miles and some I make it, from here in Massachusetts.

I know some folk who have through hiked the AT...I've wanted to give that a go for years and years. Hmmm. If chance allows I might give it a go.

Eledhwen

[appalachianranger]

Ah, Harpers Ferry!
How well I knew thee, and how dear thou art in my mind!
I spent my summer of 2010 as a Living History Intern with the National Park Service there, and got to know the town really well.
Some of my favorite views were actually not on Jefferson's Rock, but across that raging river on Maryland Heights.
Standing there, a man can see for miles in every direction and see the full natural beauty of that most hallowed ground.
One could even venture to say that it is our own Amon Sul, where once men in gray and blue set up their own watch towers to guard the borders of their war-torn lands.
It's a terrible shame that I was unaware of this forum at that time; we may have been able to have an ale or a good full pipe before I had to return to real life and the 21st century.