The Appalachian Trail from Gathland to Weverton – A reminiscence about the Hike Across Maryland – A revival of the Wanderbirds club after-hike festivities – The passing of Hester Ford – All American adults now eligible for COVID vaccines – Evening statistics
The hike yesterday organized by AD went along the Appalachian Trail from Gathland to Weverton Cliffs and back, about 12 miles in all and perhaps 1600 feet of elevation gain. It is not an exciting part of the AT, but it is a pleasant one, keeping mainly to the ridgeline until the descent to the cliffs. We had beautiful weather, sunny and warm but not overly hot. The view from Weverton Cliffs is slightly east of Harpers Ferry and the views do not extend to the town itself, but survey the Potomac flowing at what may be its most rapid pace as a result of the confluence of the Shenandoah and the Potomac Rivers just a short distance away.
The section of the trail has several memories for me, the most vivid of which goes back to the Hike Across Maryland event in which I participated nearly 12 years ago. The hike contained several checkpoints, one of them being at Gathland, which is 30.5 miles from the starting point. As I approached I was becoming tired and feeling uncertain whether I would be able to complete the distance that remained. When I arrived there, however, I received a tumultuous welcome. The volunteers at the waystation rang cowbells, beat on pots and pans, and broke out into cheers. (I afterwards learned that they had a reputation for encouraging participants in this fashion.) They were placed at the far edge of the park, which meant that I had to go uphill the last few yards to reach them; but this reception was so encouraging that I bounded to get there. The volunteers at all of the checkpoints were solicitous and anxious to feed me, but here they were especially effusive, urging me to eat, laughing with pleasure at what they assured me was a good time for the distance covered, and, in general, making a great deal of my arrival. It was good psychology on their part, for my spirits lifted at this exhibition of joyous good nature, and even though there were more than ten miles to go, my energy was almost completely restored.
In contrast to the hike on Saturday, a large number of people participated, well over 20 of us. We had refreshments afterwards at the tables underneath the pavilion. Many people contributed to the food that was spread out for our regale: drinks and fruit from AD and RH, cheeses from CB and MB, rosé wine from CB, sourdough bread from MB, desserts from AM, AO, BB, and myself. We chatted about the hike, about the activities we have been pursuing individually while the club hikes have been on hold, about the vaccines and our experiences in obtaining them, and various other topics. The atmosphere was very much like that of the Wanderbirds hikes as people filtered in from the trail to gather at the bus, probably the nearest approach to the party-like atmosphere we enjoyed before the pandemic forced the club to place the arrangement with the chartered bus in abeyance: a large number of people being easily and carelessly merry together.
We have lost a link to the past on Saturday. Hester Ford, the oldest living American, died peacefully at her home. Her age was at least 115 years and 245 days. There is some doubt about her actual date of birth. Her family said U.S. Census Bureau documents suggest she was born in 1905, but another set of Census Bureau documents point to 1904, which would have made her age at the time of her death 116 years. She lived on her own until the age of 108, when she bruised her ribs in a fall, at which point her relatives insisted on moving in to look after her. The treatment she received for this fall, incidentally, was the first time in her life that she needed to be hospitalized for any reason. She had 12 children, who in turn provided her with 68 grandchildren, 125 great-grandchildren, and at least 120 great-great-grandchildren. No one knows how she managed to live to such an advanced age; but two factors may have contributed to her longevity. She is described as being unfailingly optimistic, despite having undergone many adversities, and she was also meticulous about getting out of doors every day.
Today the COVID vaccines are officially available to all adults in the U.S. The nationwide level of daily new coronavirus cases remains at an average of about 67,400, up 26% from last month’s lows but down slightly from one week ago. The seven-day average of daily shots given has held above 3 million for 12 straight days. Half of all U.S. adults have received at least one dose and nearly a third of American adults are now fully vaccinated. Dr. Scott Gottlieb, a former Food and Drug Administration chief, predicts that the incidence rate will decline notably in the coming month as a result of the combination of vaccine distribution and warmer weather.
Yesterday’s statistics as of 9:00 PM – # of cases worldwide: 141,987,010; # of deaths worldwide: 3,032,205; # of cases U.S.: 32,404,454; # of deaths; U.S.: 581,061.
Today’s statistics as of 8:00 PM – # of cases worldwide: 142,677,050; # of deaths worldwide: 3,042,349; # of cases U.S.: 32,468,513; # of deaths; U.S.: 581,523.
For the first time since I began recording these statistics the national daily death toll in proportion to the worldwide death toll has been consistent with our percentage of the global population at large i.e., in the neighborhood of 4%. Brazil’s mortality rate now exceeds our own. India’s infection rate continues to rise; today’s daily totals exceeded 250,000.