When the GPS showed only 4 hours and 40 minutes from Holly River to Harper’s Ferry, we were thrilled. Oh, less than five hours? That’s nothing. I don’t know how I swung it, but Austin drove the entirety of the way again. (When he proofread this part, he just looked at me and said, "well you're just lucky you have a boyfriend that likes to drive" and he isn't wrong.)
Let me just say, the landscape of Maryland and West Virginia (which we experienced both on our drive considering how close Harper’s Ferry is to the border) is drop dead gorgeous. There is farmland, cities, rural areas, the whole thing is just amazing. While cruising through a small, quaint town called Boonsboro, Maryland, we passed by a small farmer’s market, so we stopped. Olde Homestead had countless snacks, yard decorations, and local produce. We helped ourselves to some honey sticks, salad dressing (lemon peppercorn, yum), and honey almond granola. We continued happily on our way to our (newfound) (last minute) (Austin called on the way there) hotel. Not only was the hotel newly found, it was not planned at all. We actually had plans to hop from Harper’s Ferry to Baltimore in the same day, ending our night in Baltimore. And in true Bailey Sarian style, our path said, “nay, nay!” We found ourselves looking forward to a night in Harper's Ferry after seeing how gorgeous and historic the area was.
Let me just say, the landscape of Maryland and West Virginia (which we experienced both on our drive considering how close Harper’s Ferry is to the border) is drop dead gorgeous. There is farmland, cities, rural areas, the whole thing is just amazing. While cruising through a small, quaint town called Boonsboro, Maryland, we passed by a small farmer’s market, so we stopped. Olde Homestead had countless snacks, yard decorations, and local produce. We helped ourselves to some honey sticks, salad dressing (lemon peppercorn, yum), and honey almond granola. We continued happily on our way to our (newfound) (last minute) (Austin called on the way there) hotel. Not only was the hotel newly found, it was not planned at all. We actually had plans to hop from Harper’s Ferry to Baltimore in the same day, ending our night in Baltimore. And in true Bailey Sarian style, our path said, “nay, nay!” We found ourselves looking forward to a night in Harper's Ferry after seeing how gorgeous and historic the area was.
Our first evening in the town was short lived considering all of our pit stops (I have a small bladder, shh). We explored the historic downtown and got some gorgeous pictures with the cherry blossom trees. Ice cream was a must, and then we continued to the Shenandoah River. On our way to the river, we witnessed a woman pacing and praying to someone; she was extremely spiritual, and looked to be configuring some type of ceremony within herself. Austin and I didn’t talk about seeing her both until I asked him to help me brainstorm for this blog post. The entire place had an ominous spirituality; there were “haunted” tours of certain parts of the city, churches, and Harper’s Cemetery right in the middle of it all. I’d like to go back and explore this observation we had separately, but that’ll have to be at a later time.
After a wild night of watering the neglected hotel plants, we decided to get up early and check out Harper’s Cemetery and Jefferson’s Rock. This tourist attraction dates as far back to 1782 and is named after town founder, Robert Ferry, whom is buried in the cemetery. There is a gorgeous overlook where the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers collide. I was taken aback with how upkept the cemetery is, and with a little research, I found this from the official website: “Harper Cemetery provides perpetual care and is managed by a self-perpetuating Board of Trustees originally appointed in the late 1800’s.” That’s amazing to know that people have actually been appointed for 100+ years to keep the cemetery presentable.
We continued down the well-traveled path towards Jefferson’s Rock. The name derives from Thomas Jefferson, whom stood on this rock on October 25th, 1783. His documentation of the view, which was published in the Notes on the State of Virginia in 1785, include this quote: “On your right comes up the Shenandoah, having ranged along the foot of the mountain a hundred miles to seek a vent. On your left approaches the Potomac in quest of a passage also. In the moment of their junction they rush together against the mountain, rend it asunder and pass off to the sea.” Damn, Jefferson sure had a way with words. We enjoyed the view while another couple stretched and sunbathed near us. A blanket of comfortability hugs this town, and I cannot wait to be back.
Our short-lived day and a half was enough for us to want to come explore more, but for the time being, the iconic city of Baltimore is calling.
Our short-lived day and a half was enough for us to want to come explore more, but for the time being, the iconic city of Baltimore is calling.