After we went aquablazing, we have encountered some interesting days to say the least....
June 21st, the summer solstice is known as National hike naked day. When we woke up that morning we thought it through and decided that since it was a Saturday we should probably not participate. Throughout our day we saw a lot of day hikers so we were very glad we had our clothes on. Later in the afternoon we saw our first naked hiker (a day hiker!) which got us thinking... why not? We waited until it got later in the evening and we hadn't seen people in an hour or so then off came the clothes. It was a very funny but short experience for us, as we heard some voices up ahead after about 1/4 mile. We quickly put our clothes on again, and were glad we did since it was a father and his daughter (we don't think they had any idea.... hopefully!) They told us that they had an organic farm called 'Stonybrook' that was work for stay and we agreed that we would come visit in a few days.
A day later while we were hiking we met a chatty guy with his grandson. We hiked with them for a bit, and when we got to a gravel road they let us know that they lived only a mile down and invited us for a ham and sweet potato dinner. We couldn't decline that offer so we tagged along down the mile stretch. He introduced us to the whole family, and we got a short tour of the house which was being reconstructed. It was a super relaxed setting as we all gathered in the living room and watched some shows while chatting. Camel got a tour of Sean's wood shop, where he let him handle his homemade axes and swords. After that Camel came inside and was clearly ready to leave. I made some ham sandwiches to go and they gave us a couple breakfast bars. As we were leaving, we got introduced to the neighbors whom used to be the caretakers of a local hostel 'Bear's Den' as well as past thru-hikers. They invited us to stay the night at their home but we declined because we didn't want to offend Sean and his family. We quickly finished up our day's miles as it was getting dark and reached the AT Blackburn Center just before 9p. There were beautiful hand-made cabins so we decided to stay in our first 'shelter' which was actually a very nice cabin.
When we got up, it was the day we were going to be picked up to visit Stonybrook farm. We were excited and a little nervous as we didn't quite know what to expect. A guy came to pick us up with his son and he drove around the farm and showed us their organic store. It was a whirlwind experience as we arrived, everyone introducing themselves with Hebrew names. Stonybrook is part of the Twelve Tribes, basically a commune. We met some other hikers, some were picking blueberries, others weeding in the garden, and the majority were in the workshop helping to build hiker cabins. Some of the hikers that were there had been at Stonybrook for weeks on end. They fed all of us organic meals, almost every item hand picked that day. I was shown to my bunk, and Camel was across the farm in the upper cabins. We got our shower and laundry done then we went to the main house to help out with some chores. At 6p there was a service, lots of singing and the kids danced around with the tambourines and then we had dinner. There were lots of tables inside and everyone finds a seat and enjoys the dinner. Camel and I stayed washing dishes for a long while after dinner, as again lots was happening around us. Once things settled around we sat in the living room and sang while people practiced guitar. There were about 20 kids on the farm, all so adorable and it was saddening when they asked us to stay longer but we knew we needed to leave. After leaving the next morning, we have heard a lot of different things about the Stonybrook farm. Personally, we had a really nice experience there but we are glad we left sooner than later as it did have a cult-like aura....
Now, we are in Harpers Ferry!!
June 21st, the summer solstice is known as National hike naked day. When we woke up that morning we thought it through and decided that since it was a Saturday we should probably not participate. Throughout our day we saw a lot of day hikers so we were very glad we had our clothes on. Later in the afternoon we saw our first naked hiker (a day hiker!) which got us thinking... why not? We waited until it got later in the evening and we hadn't seen people in an hour or so then off came the clothes. It was a very funny but short experience for us, as we heard some voices up ahead after about 1/4 mile. We quickly put our clothes on again, and were glad we did since it was a father and his daughter (we don't think they had any idea.... hopefully!) They told us that they had an organic farm called 'Stonybrook' that was work for stay and we agreed that we would come visit in a few days.
A day later while we were hiking we met a chatty guy with his grandson. We hiked with them for a bit, and when we got to a gravel road they let us know that they lived only a mile down and invited us for a ham and sweet potato dinner. We couldn't decline that offer so we tagged along down the mile stretch. He introduced us to the whole family, and we got a short tour of the house which was being reconstructed. It was a super relaxed setting as we all gathered in the living room and watched some shows while chatting. Camel got a tour of Sean's wood shop, where he let him handle his homemade axes and swords. After that Camel came inside and was clearly ready to leave. I made some ham sandwiches to go and they gave us a couple breakfast bars. As we were leaving, we got introduced to the neighbors whom used to be the caretakers of a local hostel 'Bear's Den' as well as past thru-hikers. They invited us to stay the night at their home but we declined because we didn't want to offend Sean and his family. We quickly finished up our day's miles as it was getting dark and reached the AT Blackburn Center just before 9p. There were beautiful hand-made cabins so we decided to stay in our first 'shelter' which was actually a very nice cabin.
When we got up, it was the day we were going to be picked up to visit Stonybrook farm. We were excited and a little nervous as we didn't quite know what to expect. A guy came to pick us up with his son and he drove around the farm and showed us their organic store. It was a whirlwind experience as we arrived, everyone introducing themselves with Hebrew names. Stonybrook is part of the Twelve Tribes, basically a commune. We met some other hikers, some were picking blueberries, others weeding in the garden, and the majority were in the workshop helping to build hiker cabins. Some of the hikers that were there had been at Stonybrook for weeks on end. They fed all of us organic meals, almost every item hand picked that day. I was shown to my bunk, and Camel was across the farm in the upper cabins. We got our shower and laundry done then we went to the main house to help out with some chores. At 6p there was a service, lots of singing and the kids danced around with the tambourines and then we had dinner. There were lots of tables inside and everyone finds a seat and enjoys the dinner. Camel and I stayed washing dishes for a long while after dinner, as again lots was happening around us. Once things settled around we sat in the living room and sang while people practiced guitar. There were about 20 kids on the farm, all so adorable and it was saddening when they asked us to stay longer but we knew we needed to leave. After leaving the next morning, we have heard a lot of different things about the Stonybrook farm. Personally, we had a really nice experience there but we are glad we left sooner than later as it did have a cult-like aura....
Now, we are in Harpers Ferry!!