Journeys Beyond the Map: Memories, Milestones, and Meaning in Harpers Ferry.

At this stage, I am beginning to feel the pressure, though perhaps not in the way one might expect. We have recently reached the halfway point in our goal of visiting and camping in all 50 states. While Hawaii presents certain logistical challenges, it remains an essential part of our objective. Prior to embarking on our initial RV journey in 2023, I had not contemplated the prospect of experiencing every state; it was not something that had occurred to me as a widespread pursuit. However, I soon observed that many RVs and campers display maps of the United States on their vehicles, each marking the states they have visited. We adhere to specific criteria when determining whether a state has been visited. Merely passing through a state does not qualify. To count a state, we require a stay of more than two days at a campsite, which must also include participation in an excursion or tour. For readers of this blog, it is important to note that a state is recognized as visited only if it has been detailed in a blog post. Using these criteria, as of this blog post we have visited 27 states, with the state of West Virginia joining the list, as of this stop in Harpers Ferry, WV.

Confluence Point @ Shenandoah & Potomac River 

Harpers Ferry serves as an excellent starting point for a journey through West Virginia, offering a distinctive blend of significant American history and remarkable natural landscapes. Renowned for its pivotal role in events leading up to the Civil War, such as John Brown's Raid, it holds strategic importance in Civil War history. The location is notably picturesque, positioned at the confluence where the Shenandoah meets the Potomac River. This area, known as "The Point," marks the intersection of West Virginia, Virginia, and Maryland. Even though we visited the area on a cold and overcast day, it is easy to understand why over 400,000 tourists visit Harpers Ferry every year.

What makes Harpers Ferry unique is that it is an actual town, with town citizens and governing council, INSIDE a National Historic Park. For those needing a little background, a national

Jefferson Rock Overlook on the Appalachian Trail

historical park means that it is a protected area managed by the National Park Service to preserve its significant historical, cultural, and natural features for public enjoyment and education. We were thrilled to find that, despite the Federal Government shutdown, the Harpers Ferry visitor center was open, as were the shuttle buses that ferried visitors to the town center. The town of Harpers Ferry was also open for business, which included restaurants and museums in the Town Center. However, with the shutdown, there were no National Park Service (NPS) personnel to answer questions or lead tours. Instead, we had to rely on the NPS phone App. On the App. we were able to follow an eight-stop walking tour of Harpers Ferry, which included historical context and additional commentary. The best part was that the App worked along with Google Maps to provide excellent walking guidance through the park. And, if we found something interesting or got a bit sidetracked, Google Maps was always there to get us back on track. During our NPS walking tour to Jefferson Rock, we actually followed part of the Appalachian Trail. This 2,200-mile trail, which begins in Georgia and ends in Maine, passes directly through, of all places, the historic town of Harpers Ferry.

Harper House Balcony with view of St. Peters Roman Catholic Church 

Having the luxury of spending a full week in the area, we were able to visit surrounding cities & towns with significant historic lineage. One such city is called Martinsburg, which is about 25 miles north of Harpers Ferry. In Martinsburg, the Historical Society of Berkely County has restored the 1853 Greek Revival house once owned by Ben Boyd, father to the notorious confederate spy Belle Boyd. Belle earned her fame as a Confederate spy and confidant of General Stonewall Jackson. In addition to running messages with sensitive information to the Confederates, Belle shot and killed a Union soldier who entered the family home in 1861. She was imprisoned in Washington, DC on two separate occasions. Ironically, after the war, Belle Boyd married a Union officer and became an actress on the London stage.

The other city we had the time to explore was due east of Harpers Ferry called Frederick, MD.

In the 19th century, Frederick also thrived as an industrial center, producing flour and timber, distilling whiskey, and tanning leather. We joined a 90-minute walking tour of the historic downtown, during which we discovered that Frederick has played a pivotal role at the crossroads of American history over the centuries. Frederick served as an important center for trade, migration, and military operations in American history because it sits at the intersection of major historic and modern transport routes like the National Road, the B&O Railroad, and the C&O Canal. The city played a significant role from the colonial era and the French and Indian War through the Civil War. Frederick is also known as both the birthplace and burial site of Francis Scott Key, a notable figure during the Revolutionary War, and it provided temporary shelter for President Lincoln during the Civil War.

Following the tour of Frederick, we continued our exploration of the city by walking to Carroll Creek Linear Park. As it was the first Saturday of the month, we had the opportunity to attend the "First Saturday Street Festival”, which included extended hours for local businesses, restaurants, and galleries offering special events, tastings, and exhibits. The Carroll Creek Linear Park is exceptionally picturesque, featuring numerous water elements, wide walkways along the creek, ample seating areas, and elegant pedestrian bridges. Overall, it provided an outstanding setting for an afternoon walk.

Carroll Creek Linear Park

Our seven-day stay was packed with activity. When we weren’t touring Harpers Ferry

Elana & Rich Walking School House Ridge North

or exploring nearby cities, we spent quality time catching up with friends and family from the tri-state area (Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia). Sharing time with friends and discovering their hometowns together always brings us joy. Elana and Rich, also a Clark University couple like Judy and me, were our first guests in Harpers Ferry. They toured “Neil the Northpoint” and got an up-close look at RV living. Since Elana and Rich had already hiked the trails around Harpers Ferry before, we opted for a different adventure, a hike along the historic School House Ridge North, part of the old Civil War battlefield. The 1⅓-mile uphill trek followed the path Confederate Commander Stonewall Jackson took during his successful 1862 campaign to capture Harpers Ferry. From the top of School House Ridge, Jackson’s men faced Union forces stationed at Harpers Ferry and along Bolivar Heights. The Confederates managed to outflank the Union soldiers, leading to Jackson’s capture of Harpers Ferry and the surrender of 12,000 Union troops. The walk was fascinating, enriched by informative signs posted along the way.

Visiting family is always a delight. We drove about 45 minutes into Maryland to see Judy’s sister, Pam, her brother-in-law Scott, their son Noah and his wife Jennifer, and Chase, the sweetest little grandniece imaginable. Chase is an adorable 4-year-old toddler with blonde hair, and she had all four adults, born before the 1970s, completely wrapped around her finger. Our time reconnecting with family added warmth and laughter to our adventure, reminding us that the most cherished memories come from the people we share them with. We also take great delight in sharing these experiences through the blog, hoping they inspire others to embark on their own adventures. Ultimately, it’s not just about crossing states off a map—it’s about the stories, people, and places that make the journey remarkable, as we tell… the Rest of the Story.