( May 13th, 1981 to May 14th, 1981 ) The route for Washington, D.C. passed through or near: Pennsylvania Avenue The White House The Washington Monument The Capitol Building Route information Tom Floyd and Jim Kern organized the celebration in Washington, D.C. Tom Floyd was the Chairman of the HikaNation Arrival Committee. Maryland Congresswoman Beverly Byron and New York Congressman Mario Biaggi organized the ceremony at the Capitol. Ben McGimsey was the Washington, D.C.  Pathfinder.

Almost there May 13, 1981 -- Day 397 Still on the C&O Canal, but getting closer to Washington, D.C. The Jiamie cart - The "Pylemobile" May 13, 1981 -- Day 397 Designed and built by Bob Ronemus in Nevada, the baby cart (The "Pylemobile") was still going strong in DC. Gayle Rainbow, Gomer Pyles (pushing the cart) with Howard Gilby, Janet Parsons, Rob Burns.   Jiamie Pyles is in the cart somewhere. Banners and Flags May 13, 1981 -- Day 397 State flags and various banners were the order of the day. Representing Michigan were Mike Halm, Janet Hartowicz-Parsons and Keith Wright. Washington, D.C. parade May 13, 1981 -- Day 397 Down Pennsylvania Avenue, on the road and sidewalks, to the White House, to the Washington Monument, and then to the Capitol. The White House May 13, 1981 -- Day 397 William Ewart testing the fence. Backpackers Finish Hike Across the Nation by Bernie Boston, The Washington Star The Washington Monument May 13, 1981 -- Day 397 West Plains hiker at the Washington Monument by unknown The Washington Monument May 13, 1981 -- Day 397 Rob Burns, "University of The Open Road" May 13, 1981 -- Day 397 After we reached the Washington Monument, we waited for an hour or more until hiking on to the Capitol and "the ceremonies". A 14-year-old cross-country hiker's journal: many peaks and valleys by Alan Cline, S.F. Sunday Examiner & Chronicle "Walking Bob" Rowe, waiting May 13, 1981 -- Day 397 Still waiting for the ok to hike to the Capitol. Last Tired Leg Of a 4,500-Mile Hike by Kerry Dougherty, Washington Post Bob Rowe Leaving the Washington Monument area May 13, 1981 -- Day 397 En masse exit; onward to the Capitol. On to the Capitol May 13, 1981 -- Day 397 The Capitol May 13, 1981 -- Day 397 ....& so the ragtag group finally made it to the Capitol. California Hikers Get to Washington by John Fogarty, Chronicle Washington Bureau   Flags were flown over the Capitol and then given to the HikaNation hikers. Speeches & more speeches May 13, 1981 -- Day 397 Apparently William Kemsley read a letter from President Reagan, but I have no memory of that occuring. SURPRISE !!!! May 13, 1981 -- Day 397 Totally unexpected, Mom & Dad raced up from Georgia to meet me in Washington, D.C. for the ceremonies and later banquet. Dad joined us before reaching the Capitol and carried my pack for a while !!!! Tim Geoghegan, on the right, was the first to spot my parents and alerted me that they were in the crowd. Meeting with Georgia Congressman Elliott Levitas May 13, 1981 -- Day 397 Since the goal of the hike was to promote the creation of more hiking trails, the American Hiking Society arranged for meetings with various congressman so we could push for the passage of certain bills. ....on to Maryland (again)

HikaNation The States The Campsites The Hikers   The Progression of HikaNation