Gray barn in the countryside near Dynard Elementary School and Leonardtown.
This afternoon I hiked from Dynard Elementary School to Leonardtown, Maryland, and I couldn’t have been more excited. Because I’m back on the PHT, baby! 

In my previous post, dated March 18, 2020, I’d arrived in Leonardtown just six days into what was to be a five-week thru-hike of the Potomac Heritage Trail. But COVID sent me home. I thought I’d be back in May 2020, then fall 2020, but the pandemic raged on. Hopefully the Delta variant won’t send me home again. But I’m vaccinated, so I should be safe.


Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links (among regular links) to products I own and like, or which I think you might like. This means that, at no extra cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.


Leaving Dynard Elementary School

I flew in yesterday to make sure there were no snafus with the flight. Since air travel is just resuming, a lot of airlines are experiencing delays. Thankfully, all went well. I stayed with my younger daughter, Maura, and her boyfriend, Andy. I’d mailed them some food boxes back in 2020, and they still had them. Plus, Maura bought more items for me.

So after a great afternoon and evening catching up, I was off this morning before noon. I Ubered to Wine glasses and wine barrels as a sculpture near Leonardtown, Maryland.Waldorf, Maryland, where I picked up a rental car. (Thanks to COVID, they’re SUPER pricey.) Drove down to Leonardtown, where I checked into the new Inn at Leonardtown – beautiful! Then I hailed a Lyft to take me 8.5 miles (13.7 km) up the road to Dynard Elementary School, where I hiked back to town.

Destination: Leonardtown

Unlike in the spring, the temperatures were darn hot today, topping 90 F (32.2 C). At least the humidity wasn’t bad. But I’d forgotten my sunglasses, so that wasn’t pleasant. This part of the trail is a bike trail you can also hike. But that means it’s mostly walking along back roads, although some of them can get quite busy.

I have my hiking umbrella with me in hopes of using it on hot road hikes under the sun, like today. But I need to figure out how to lash it to my pack so I can still use my trekking poles. That’s the trick.

Snowshoe

Today’s Miles: 8.5 (13.7 km)
PHT Miles to Date: 117.4 (188.9 km)
PHT Miles to Go: =632.6 (1,018.1 km)


Book your stay at the Inn at Leonardtown here!

 

©2018 Melanie McManus – All Rights Reserved

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