Peach Feast on the A.T.

"Old Night Hiker" with Hannah as his dog Mattie looks on.

"Old Night Hiker" and Silas (trail hair).
One thing about Hiking the Appalachian Trail, you really do get to MEET folks.  Unlike the people that cross your path each day in the normal world, the folks encountered on the trail invite your attention.  There are few distractions and time isn't usually in short supply.  Hannah and Silas got to know "Old Night Hiker" at a hiker's shelter in the mountains of Pennsylvania, just northwest of Gettysburg.  He and his dog "Mattie" came strolling into camp and offered up some hotdogs, gravey and peaches.  "Old Night Hiker" is not a trail follower but fancies himself a bushwacker. He drifts onto the trail to meet folks and share his Peach Moonshine along with good conversation.  Hannah said it was the first time she had tried peaches that "slapped you in the face". HaHa!
He hung out for hours telling tales and tying knots with Silas.
He works at a historic foundry that casts iron. "Old Night Hiker" is just another interesting soul that Hannah and Silas have been privileged to meet, truly MEET, along the Appalachian Trail.




There are no strangers here; Only friends you haven't yet met.
 William Butler Yeats
 

Leaving Dixie

"Look Away, Look Away, Look Away, Dixie Land"!

Silas and Hannah have officially entered Yankee territory.

This is Hannah's 4th day on the trail with Silas and it is his 83rd. They will also be nearing the midpoint of the Appalachian Trail.  1069 miles south to Springer Mountain Georgia and 1069 miles north to Mount. Katahdin Maine.

Silas and Hannah with "Old Goat" and "Granny"


Hannah experienced "Trail Magic" when they came across a pair of "Trail Angels" feeding hikers. 


" We had been hearing about some Trail Magic up ahead for several miles. It is amazing how word travels up and down the trail. It's Trail gossip and it spreads fast.  We were racing to get there before the rain started. As we walked up the bottom fell out and we joined a crowd of hikers beneath the pop-up awnings.  A wonderful feast of BBQ pulled pork and fresh vegetables was being served up hot! It was fantastic! As we were eating, other hikers joined the crowd, some "south bounders" and some "north bounders".  They had all caught wind of the gossip, Trial Magic ahead!  A couple, that went by the trail names of "Old Goat" and "Granny" prepared this meal for Thru-Hikers. They do this from time to time. They told us their daughter had Thru-Hiked the trail in 2014 and told them about Trail Magic and they thought it would be fun to serve food to hikers.  They also volunteer with the Red Cross and have been to Louisiana helping with flood relief in the past.  Meeting folks like this makes hiking the Appalachian Trail more than just a hike, it is a great experience."
Hannah "Sister"

Hannah relaxing at Annapolis Rock in Maryland.

Silas sporting his new boots!


Instead of posting the numbers, I think I will post one of my wise saying from the past. In honor of Silas and Hannah.


"Stop picking on Silas"
Dad

TWO ON THE TRAIL!!

Amtrak Train from D.C. to Harper's Ferry WV.  Ready to get on the trail.

Hannah and Silas will be walking together for the next couple of weeks



Hannah's first day on the Appalachian Train was a bit wet.


With a big family wedding date rapidly approaching and a Tropical Storm looming in the Gulf of Mexico, Hannah will be joining Silas on the Appalachian Trail. The dash to Harrisburg PA might be a wet one. They must get there to catch a flight to Chattanooga TN. Both of them are standing in the wedding so it is pretty important for them to show up. 
Good Times!

A little bit blurry and soggy but I can still make out the smiles. 
Good company makes the journey a joy no matter what the conditions. 


Here are the Numbers:


881.7 miles covered on foot
107.8 miles covered by canoe
5 states down 9 to go
57 days walking
5 days canoing
18 days resting
Total of 80 days on trail








A journey is a person in itself; no two are alike. And all plans, safeguards, policing, and coercion are fruitless. We find that after years of struggle that we do not take a trip; a trip takes us.
John Steinbeck
 

The River Route.

The next few days Silas will be paddling down the Shenandoah River.  The river parallels the Trail through the Shenandoah National Park. It is a chance to rest the feet for a few days while still covering some miles.

Silas has walked 860.2 miles along the Appalachian Trail over the past 73 days. I think there are at least 2 things that make this short diversion appealing. First it requires sitting and second the water is relatively level.

Here is a Trail Travel update.

Hannah will be joining Silas for several days and over 100 miles of hiking!!

She will meet him in West Virginia.  They will cross the Mason Dixon line heading north and also celebrate the Trail's half way point together.  If all goes as planned Hannah and Silas will make it to Jake and Maria's wedding none the worse for wear!


Never go on trips with anyone you do not love.
Ernest Hemingway
 

Sun Rise in Virginia

Early morning along the Appalachian Trail.

I did not wish to take a cabin passage, but rather to go before the mast and on the deck of the world, for there I could best see the moonlight amid the mountains. I do not wish to go below now.

Henry David Thoreau
 

The A.T. Weight Loss Plan.

The White Blaze, Somewhere in Virginia.

I have noticed a slimmer, trimmer, Silas in some of the pictures he has sent.  I asked him how much weight he has lost since starting the trail.  Silas has dropped 35 lbs! So there you go, if you want to drop a few extra pounds get out and walk 830 miles in 68 days.



Silas found his landmark.

Nearly 25% of the Appalachian Trail runs through Virginia. 554 miles from Damascus VA to Bluemont VA.

The elevation ranges from 265 feet above sea level to a lofty 5500 feet above sea level, with a lot of up and down walking within that range. 

Silas hiked 181 miles from Damascus VA. to Daleville VA. in 9 days. He logged his best distance day of 30.6 miles on this leg of the trail and averaged just over 20 miles a day. 

Here are some more numbers;

Most consecutive days hiking.   9

Miles walked on those 9 days.    181.3

days on Trail.    68

10+ mile days.   47

less than 10 mile days.   7

Zero mile days.    14

Total miles Hiked.   831.7

All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost; the old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not reached by the frost.

 J. R. R. Tolkien