Jack finishes the AT

Jack and the boys made it to Katahdin together, but then Jack had to finish the state he missed while he came home for two weeks this summer. He caught a bus ride from Maine to Pennsylvania and walked from Pennsylvania to Harpers Fairy to complete the AT. My mom walked the last two days with him. I made a typo on one of the slides...sorry, but it would take too long to fix it and upload it again. Maybe you won't even notice it!

Jack on Mount Kathahdin

They Did It!!!!

Today at 6:45 am Jack, James, Randall, and Tyler made it to the top of Mount Katahdin in Maine. They got up at 3 am and started this morning because they heard that it was going to be clear early in the morning. Jack said it was still very cloudy and FREEZING! He said his hands were frozen into little fist. The boys had a celebratory cigar and beer but had to get off the mountain before they froze. Jack will be going to stay with a cousin on my mom's side of the family and catch a Grayhound bus to Pennsylvania to finish the state that he missed. We're so proud of them and happy for them!

Monson, Maine

Jack called today from right outside of Monson, Maine. He was on top of Moxie Bald Mountain. He is by himself right now. He will be catching up with James later today and then the two of them will meet Randal and Tyler in Monson tomorrow. Monson is the last town before they enter into the 100 miles of wilderness.

Jack went on to say that New Hampshire and Maine have been his most favorite states. They weather is beautiful. He also said that he only has two pair of socks and he wears them both at all times…so they stink!

Jack and the boys stopped in Stratton, Maine last Thursday and stayed the night. They watched the USC game…Go Cocks!

Jack’s goal is to complete the trail (Katadin and the state that he missed) by October 1^st. He wants to make it home for the Moonshiners Music Festival in Spartanburg, SC on Friday night and the USC football game that Saturday. Jack will be living with me (and Jessica and Emily -my roommates) when he comes back to Columbia. He said he is very excited to cook and have a refrigerator. I am appointing him head chef of our humble abode, as well as head trash man, yard man, and protector. He will also be looking for a J.O.B. when he gets back so if anyone has any connections…give him a call.

MAINE

Jack, James, Randall, and Tyler made it to Maine this past week. Tonight they are in Andover. They are staying at a hostel that you pay 5.00 for everything (Shower, Place to sleep, Food, ect). They are paying a little extra to be able to stay in the owners RV. Jack said he thinks its the V.I.P. spot. He also said that it is freezing at night. They have about 250 more miles until the finish line!!!

Jack Up North

Stratton, Vermont

Tonight Jack is in Stratton, Vermont. He said it is a ski town a lot like Steamboat Spring, CO. and he thinks it might be one of the biggest ski resorts on the East Coast. They were able to ride a gondola from the bottom of the mountain to the top where there is a large open snack center with working restrooms and running water (and a hot chocolate machine they may sample). They are planning on staying the night there..but they are going to leave after the watch the sun rise so they don’t run into any workers that may be coming up in the morning. They are planning on hiking 10 or 15 miles tomorrow to get to Manchester Center, Vermont and stay in a hostel. From there they have 3 day hike to Rutland where Jack and James will catch a flight to Memphis for Blake’s Wedding.

Just on a side note… while I was talking to Jack he told me some more stories about New York. He said that when they got on the train he had to climb up the side of the train station and put his poles on the roof because they don’t fold up like the other guys poles! Then when they got back from the city he almost forgot to climb back up the side of the building and get them!

It rained their whole trip to and from the city so when they got back to the town where they caught the train from Jack and Randall didn’t feel much like hiking in more rain. Jack talked around and found out about an open space that has a roof and picnic tables in another part of the town and they decided to camp out there. They were so tired that at 2:00 in the afternoon they went to sleep. Jack said they woke up many times throughout the day because of all the people passing through. At dark, two men in a pickup truck came up to the mountain with a TV and some movies. They said they came up there a lot to watch movies that they rent from the library because it is the only place they can really just get away from everything. Jack and Randall watched a little bit of Mission Impossible with them, and then they went back to sleep!

Dalton, Massachusetts

Jack called tonight from Dalton, Massachusetts. I didn't talk to him long because he had little cell phone reception but he did get to tell me a little bit about where they are staying. The trail runs through the town of Dalton. There is a man that lives on the trail and Jack heard word of mouth and read it is his "AT Bible" that this man (and a few others townfolk) allow hikers to camp in their yards when they are walking through town. Jack and Randall walked up to his house and saw some other hikers out front. Jack asked if they thought he would let them camp in his yard and the other hikers said "He'll probably let you sleep in the house." Jack spoke to the man and he said they could stay in the house and to put their dirty clothes in a pile and he would start a wash!

His cell cut out before I could get this man's name or any details about what they've been up to. Hopefully he will call me back tomorrow.

The Today Show

I talked to Jack Monday night and he said they were trying to hitch hike to a small town outside of the city in order to take the train to New York Monday night. The plan was to be on the Today Show. He even told me not to tell our mom because he didn’t want her to worry about them walking around NYC all night. At 2:45am I got a text message from Jack that read “We’re walking around Times Square”. At 5:11 he sent a message that said “We’re second in line for the show”. He called me about 6:40 and said that last night they found a bench to sit on and some cardboard to make signs out of. The signs said “We walked 1450 miles to get here.” At 7:00 am I turned on the Today Show and when they scanned the crowd I saw the foursome with their signs and rain gear. I also got some text messages from people that I told to watch and they saw it too. I just talked to Tyler’s mom and she called their local news station and told them about the show. The station said they are going to air it on their news if the boys get any air time.

New York, New York

Jack called home today. They have completed the New Jersey section and are now in New York state. Jack said the terrain of New York State was very difficult compared to Virginia and New Jersey, which were like sidewalks. In NY, they climbed over one granite boulder after another. One night they camped near West Point and could hear the practice artillary fire of the cadets. They crossed the Hudson River on the catwalk of a four lane suspension bridge. Supposedly the hikers can get a view of the NYC skyline but because of the haze, they missed seeing it.
Jack hasn’t used much trail food up because he said there are so many snack bars where they can get hot food. They passed through Bear Mountain New York which is a recreational park for the city people to visit. Since they were there on a Saturday it was packed with people. Jack said he felt like he had walked into the World’s Fair.
Before the boys made it to Bear Mountain, Tyler met some trail workers who said they were doing work on the trail at Bear Mountain. He got their numbers and the boys called them when they got there. Jack and Tyler hung out with the workers and saw their progress. They have been working for 5 years to re-route this section of the trail and it is supposed to open next Spring. Jack and Tyler were the first hikers to actually walk on this new part.
They spent a night at the Greymoor Spiritual Life Center. The monks allow the hikers to sleep at the picnic shelters near their baseball field. They also have a crude outdoor shower rigged up for the AT hikers.
On Monday the boys are catching a 12.00 train ride into the city. They are going to call Jason Russell, another Holly Hill native and try to meet up with him if his work schedule allows it.

Jack's 2 week visit to the South Carolina Low Country

Some of the stuff Jack did at home.

Jack's Visit Home

On June 26^th, after Jack had walked 1000 miles, he caught a ride from Harper’s Ferry to Anderson, SC with Mr. and Mrs. Hollingsworth, Tyler’s Parents. Mom went to pick him up and they stopped in Gray Court for a night so Jack could see our grandparents. Saturday Mom dropped him off in Columbia where his truck was. He spent time with friends from college and began his binge eating that would last for the next two weeks. Wednesday he headed to Holly Hill and Thursday and Friday he did major yard work for my mom and grandma. We also went swimming at a friend’s pool and pulled Jack on his skateboard behind the golf cart. On the fourth a big group of us from Holly Hill went out to Morris Island which is right off the Charleston harbor. We stayed out on the island all day where we saw lots of friends. July 6^th our dad’s side of the family moved into a beach house on Folly where we stayed the week. My mom’s brother and his family were staying at Wild Dunes so they came over for dinner and we went to see them on Isle of Palms for a day. My mom’s sister came down from Laurens on Thursday and stayed until Saturday. We also met up with a lot of friends throughout the week that lived downtown Charleston since we were so close. Jack did lots of surfing, eating, and catching up with family and friends. Saturday we left Folly and went home for the big Stephens- McClure wedding in St. George. This was especially fun because we saw most of our friends from high school, indulged in an open bar/ free food, and danced to a live band. Then Sunday morning we began the journey of dropping Jack off on the AT at the Delaware Gap in New Jersey, visiting family friends in Pennsylvania, and getting my dad to Cleveland, OH for his last appointment (which went VERY well!). My mom, dad, Jack, and I piled in my grandmother’s Impala where Jack and I sat in the back with a cooler and some other small bags! Both our knees were hitting the seats! We drove for about 11 hours and then we finally made it to PA where we stayed the night. Sunday morning we were just taking our sweet time while we waited for Jack to talk to the other guys. When Jack got off the phone with Randall we realized they were very close so we rushed out the hotel to go find them. We didn’t really know where we were headed and we were in a slight hurry because the boys were waiting for Jack on the side of the road. We were so worried about finding this spot that we forgot to fill up with gas so halfway up the mountain the gas light turned on! We all started to panic because we didn’t know where we were or where we were going and we were on a deadline. Luckily we turned down the right road and saw Randall, Tyler and James just standing there and waiting. Jack jumped out and unloaded his stuff. Our Hellos and Goodbyes were very quick because the car was steadily running out of gas. We left them there and went to the nearest outfitter where we got directions for a shortcut to some gas. On the way back out we passed the boys again. Jack was waiting on us to come back by so he could give us his camel pack which he decided he didn’t need anymore, so mom snapped a picture real quick. We left there and finally got gas, ate lunch, and we were on our way to Pennsylvania. Of Course I needed a bathroom break so we stopped at a rest area about 30 minutes from our destination. Wouldn’t you know that the car died and we had to have AAA come out and save us.

Jack is now hiking through New York and he and James will be catching a flight to Memphis for Blake McManus’ wedding on August 8^th.

PS Jack also went through a slight transformation from the time he came off the trail to the time he got back on. The evidence is below!

New Pictures from Virgina

Jack's Visit Home!

Jack is taking a break from the trail and will be visiting Gray Court, Columbia, Holly Hill, and Charleston from June 26 until July 11! Please give him a call! I know he wants to visit with all his family and friends before he heads back to finish the last leg of the trail!

Hike the trail....Everybody else is!

My roomate, Lauren, called me this morning and said that Mark Sanford has been missing and they found him hiking the AT! This is the report from The State paper..


http://www.thestate.com/local/story/836552.html

Almost to 1000 miles!

Jack called about 7:30 Sunday night to wish Dad Happy Father’s Day. He said he had tried earlier today from a little picnic area but the service was bad. He is at a hostel in Front Royal, VA which is at the end of Shenandoah National Park. He said the Shenandoah’s were a cinch. It really rained on him only one day. He did 3 twenty mile days this week. The AT basically follows Skyline Drive and there are lots of picnic areas and snack bars run by the park. He said that beer actually cost less than water at some of the convenience stores there—Natural Lights for .65 a can.

Sunday was not only Father’s Day and the first day of summer, but Dad read that it was Hiking Naked Day. He asked Jack if he had seen any naked hikers, and Jack told him that one guy hiking with them today said he was going to drop back and try it. Jack didn’t actually see him, but heard a few whoops from some who did.

Jack finally saw a bear. He said he was hiking by himself and when he went around a bend, there was a full-grown black bear sitting up on the hill. He said that some people have seen 4 or 5 bears by now, but he’s glad to finally see one. He said deer are everywhere and that they will come within 15 ft. of you.

By Friday he should be at Harper’s Ferry, which is the 1,000 mile mark. If everything works out, he plans to catch a ride back to SC with Tyler Hollingsworth’s parents who are going to visit Tyler on the trail. Jack said that after 1,000 miles, he would like to take a short break with the family at Folly Beach for the Wiggins’ Family annual beach trip.

Waynesboro, VA

Last Friday Jack left Buena Vista, VA and headed to Waynesboro. A girl named Logan who is a friend of a friend that he knows from college hiked with him for the weekend. 3 miles into their journey they came upon a hiker party. Some hikers (that do this every year) were cooking a bunch of food and they even provided a keg. Needless to say Jack and Logan stayed for the night. They had a great time and met a lot of other hikers who were also enjoying the festivities. The day after the party they hiked 20 miles including the last big climb until they reach Massachusetts. It was 3000 vertical feet out of the Tye River.
Jack is currently in Waynesboro, VA with James and Tyler. They are planning on sleeping in the YMCA parking lot because they don’t charge the hikers for sleeping there. Unfortunately Jack’s tent is broken so he may be staying the night in a hotel near the YMCA. When he got into Waynesboro he and a trail friend went straight to a Chinese restaurant and as Jack worded it “did damage” at the all you can eat buffet.
They have had good weather, but Jack is ready for a couple zero days in Waynesboro. It is also exciting that the guys are only about 150 miles from Harper’s Ferry which is the half way point!

New Picture Slideshow

Pictures from Virginia thus far

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmk699JXOx0

Mount McAfee and the Hives

Today Jack hit the 702.5 mile mark at Mount McAfee. He stopped to admire the view and he ended up drinking all his water. He went to the closest shelter to get water from the spring that ran behind it. When he came out of the woods that surrounded the stream he was covered in hives and his whole body was itching. He panicked and quickly hiked to the next town. The whole way he said he could feel the itch climbing up his body and before he got to town he said his beard started to itching to. He is hoping a shower and good nights sleep in a hotel will get rid of the itch before tomorrow.

Trail Marks

"And so we walked. We walked up mountains and through high forgotten hollows, along lonesome ridges with long views of more ridges, over grassy balds and down rocky, twisting, jarring descents, and through mile after endless mile of dark, deep, silent woods, on a wandering trail eighteen inches wide and marked with rectangular white blazes (two inches wide, six long) slapped at intervals on the grey-barked trees. Walking is what we did." Bill Bryson, A Walk in the Woods

All along the trail trees are marked with white paint. These markings help hikers make sure they are on the AT. Jack said that when they went through the open fields that instead of trees there are poles lined up very close together to take you across. He wasn't sure why this was necessary until he went through one when the fog was heavy. He said if he didn't have the poles to look at he would have been totally lost.

Food For Thought

"Every year between early March and late April, about 2,000 hikers set off from Springer, most of them intending to go all the way to Katahdin. No more than 10 percent actually make it. Half don't make it to past central Virginia, less than a third of the way. A quarter get no father than North Carolina, the next state. As many as 20 percent drop out the first week." (A Walk in the Woods by Bill Byrson)





Jack and the other boys are already at Virginia with no plans of stopping...

Jack's Hostel Stay

I mentioned that Jack was staying in Atkins, VA, so when Mom talked with him today he told her all about his stay at the hostel in Atkins. For 40 bucks Jack was picked up (and dropped off) at the trail and taken to the Inn. The Inn is an old farm house that a couple from Maine refinished to be used as a hostel. The couple cooked the hikers dinner that was eaten family style in the dinning room. Jack said it was like JoJo and Momene's (our grandmothers who are great cooks) on a holiday and he hadn't eaten that good since he left SC. They also washed his clothes, took the hikers to the nearest Walmart, and let them watch a movie when they got back. Of course they didn't leave without a huge breakfast to boot. Pretty good deal for 40 bucks!

THE 500 MILE MARK

Jack crossed the 500th mile mark on the AT this week! He is about 1/4 of the way through! He will be staying in Atkins, VA for the night and start back out on the trail tomorrow.

We were especially glad to hear from him because the last time he was able to call (due to cell phone reception) was 8 days ago. As you can imagine things were a little scary around the Wiggins' household. So Mom called Tyler's mom and she said Tyler had heard word of mouth that Jack was with another hiker named Ned the Fed ( who mom has met) and they were a few days behind. I know Jack was a little surprised to finally get service and have a ton of voicemails and texts from me asking him to "phone home because Mom is freakin out!" Anyway I am so happy that Jack and the others have made if 500 miles.

This Tuesday Mom and Dad left for Cleveland, OH because Dad is having a small procedure on Thursday. When they were in Wytheville, VA they took 20 minute detour off of I-77 onto I-81 South and headed into Atkins, VA, where the AT trail head came off at the Settler’s Museum. Inside the museum they signed a guest book and left a message for Jack. They were able to get out and walk onto the trail, but accidently wandered into a nearby meadow where they were attacked by ticks, so they quickly got back to the car. They also saw where the hikers stay at the Relax Inn. Mom meet two hikers from Florida named Natty and Amero. She offered them some candy bars but they declined. However they were so excited when she gave them a coke!
Mom and Dad are planning to meet up with Jack on the way back from Cleveland.

Food for Thought

"And of course on the AT you must lug on your back everything you need. It may seem obvious, but it came as a small shock to me to realize that this wasn't going to be even remotely like an amble through the English Cotswolds or Lake District, where you head off for the day with a haversack containing a packed lunch and a hiking map and at day's end retier from th ehills to a convivial inn for a hot bath, a hearty meal, a a soft bed. Here you sleep outdoors and cook your own food. Few people manage to carry less than forty pounds, and when you're hauling that kind of weight, believe me, never for a moment does it escape your notice. It is one thing to walk 2, 000 miles, quite another with a wardrobe on your back."

This is a paragraph from A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson. I just started reading this book and I am going to try really hard to finish it. As of now I am on chapter two. Anyway I thought this paragraph really helped describe the magnitude of living in the woods and having to carry your belongings with (on) you. The picture is one that I took while Jack was going through the process of packing up before he left home. The constant argument Jack and my mom had was why he couldn't take ALL the food and other items she kept buying with him...the weight was adding up! When we were visiting the boys in Damacus alsmost every conversation revolved around or ened up being about how much stuff weighed, what they could do without, and how other people were packing up their backpacks. Now I understand why that topic of conversation was so important.

Back to Damascus

Jack has been in Damascus the last couple of days. He is washing clothes, nursing his shin splints, and of course- eating. It was lucky that Jack had to go back through Damascus because he was also able to pay the parking ticket that we got at Trail Days. He is the only person staying at the hostil in town which is hard to believe because the last time we were there the whole town was packed!

Pictures:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apmalnVzueE

Lauren and I left Columbia on Friday at 4:20 pm. I talked to Jack at about 5:30 and he said they had been hanging out at the Ice House Saloon in Hampton, TN and they would wait for us there. I was worried about how I would find this place, but Jack informed me that Hampton was about the size of Holly Hill, so immediately I knew there was going to be no trouble. He also said that he couldn’t wait for us to meet their new friends…the locals. We pulled into town about 8:50pm. Jack flagged us down on the side of the road and directed us to the back where we got rock star parking. After we all said hey and hugged, Jack said, “Ya’ll are just in time for karaoke!” I didn’t think the weekend could get any better after that statement. We went in and sure enough we were NOT in Columbia anymore. The locals were exactly what you would hope to find in a “one horse” Tennessee town- add some beer and karaoke and it was fabulous! We listened to the local talent for a couple hours and then sadly we had to leave our new friends and be on our way to Damascus. The trip only took about 1 hr but it was the windiest road I have EVER been on. Jack volunteered to drive so I was quick to call shotgun…so poor Lauren was in the back seat between James and Randall and all the boys’ smelly equipment. Luckily Tyler’s mom informed me that they stink and I better have some car deodorizers ready (thanks for the tip Tyler’s mom!).



When we got to Damascus we followed the traffic to “tent city”. As soon as we got out of the car there was loud drumming and a huge bond fire. People were dancing and hopping all around the place. Everywhere you could see there was nothing but tents and people (and by people I mean AT hikers). We set up in the dark (actually Lauren and I held the flashlight while the boys put up the tents. I felt a little guilty about them doing all the work but then I remembered they made a personal choice to set up tents every night so I didn’t feel too bad about it anymore). Lauren and I had to use the bathroom before bed and we were very excited to see there were working toilets and showers! (I was also glad because I was hoping Jack would opt for a shower… He said his last real shower was about 9 days earlier or something in that ballpark!)


The next morning we woke up and slowly starting moving around. We ate breakfast and sat around under the tailgating tent. Lauren and I did a lot of people watching. Three things that I saw an abundance of were tattoos, beards, and CROCS (which apparently are NOT out of style)! There were people of all ages at this thing. Some people, like Jack and his friends, are “thru hikers”. That means they are hiking, or planning on hiking the entire trail in one swoop. Other people were people that had hiked some or all of it before and they just come back every year for the celebrations. I like to think this is exactly what Woodstock was like but instead of hippies there are hikers, which I believe are very similar. Everyone was very nice and they were always giving away food and drinks. We hung around the tents until early afternoon then we headed to Main Street where the parade and other festivities were taking place. There were LOTS of vendors all over this park and tons of people running around. All the hikers got in groups according to the year they finished the trail and walked down the street dressed in crazy outfits throwing water balloons and shooting water guns. There was also a talent show. Hikers sang, spoke, juggled, and played musical instruments. The winner was a guy who preformed a really cool beat boxing routine (Mom- that is when you make noises with your mouth and it sounds just like you are listening to a rap song on the radio).


Saturday night we cooked dinner and Lauren and I were able to meet some of the boys’ friends. They all call each other by their trail names…so for most of the people I met didn’t even hear their real names. They told lots of funny stories and talked about different places they have been on the trail, where they are headed next, and all the people they have met. We met people who were experts at killing the mice and rats they see in shelters, people who won’t drink water unless it has a good aura, one girl who was extremely jealous of Lauren’s deodorant and people who were from far away countries.


Then at about 10 o’clock we heard thunder and saw the lightning. Needless to say that was my calling to get in the tent. Right before the rain started pouring I heard a man yell from the back of tent city “Better run for cover boys… She’s coming in!” And sure enough it rained hard all night.


The next morning it was wet and misty. We slowly packed up all our stuff and SOMEHOW fit it into my car (4 backpacks, 2 Vera Bradley duffels, 2 tents, 2 coolers, 2 chairs, 1 grill top, 4 boys, and 2 girls!) and went back down that windy road to Tennessee. We all ate breakfast at a Bojangels and then headed back to the AT to drop the boys off. When we got out of the car it was windy and just about freezing, the guys unloaded their packs, told us goodbye, and started walking. Jack hung around a few extra minutes to repack his things, say goodbye, and then he started hiking to. The last thing he said was “Goodbye… See you in a few months.” Then he disappeared into the woods.

Despite the long drive, sleeping on the ground and the war my allergies waged against me the weekend was so much fun. It was great to see the boys again. Jack and James both looked so different and they seemed really happy. They are definitely living a new lifestyle where walking is the only transportation and a daily shower is unheard of. Lauren and I both said that if we were getting dropped off to go hike in the cold rain that we would just jump back in the car and say “Take me home, please!” but they didn’t even think about it. The only thing they were thinking about were the next stops between them and Mt Katahdin (the final destination).


I read that every year about 3000 people start out to hike the AT all the way thru, but only about 20 percent actually finish. I think that Jack and the boys are completely capable and extremely motivated to finish what they have started!

We Wish Them Well!

And we're off...

Well tomorrow Lauren and I are heading to Hampton, TN to pick up Jack, then we are going to Damascus, VA for the popular Trail Days Festival! Keep your fingers crossed that we make it ok...because we don't know where we are going! :) I will have lots of stories and pictures next week.

New Pictures!

This is a slideshow of Jack's pictures from Georgia to Tennessee.

Erwin, Tennessee

Today the guys are in Erwin Tennessee. Last night my mom spontaniously decided to go see Jack. She left Holly Hill around 6:30 and went to Gray Court and stayed with my grandparents. This morning Mom, Jo-Jo, Mark-Mark and my Aunt Cindy left Gray Court to go visit Jack! I talked to Jack after I got off of work and he was telling me about the town and what all of them were doing. He said the town is famous because in 1916 there was an elephant that went crazy so the townspeople hung it from a bridge.....something like that! I was curious so I googled it...it's true. Here is the link if you're interested: http://www.blueridgecountry.com/elephant/elephant.html

The principal at the school where I work is also a hiker. She has hiked many sections of the AT. She actually gave Jack a lot of tips and good advice before he left. I told her this morning where they boys were and she said that they have hiked the hardest parts so far. She also said they have gone about 400 miles!

Tyler Hollingsworth is not feeling too well. Please keep him and Jack, James, and Randall in your prayers...we don't won't them getting sick or catching any kinda funky forrest thing!! :0

Next weekend one of my roomates and I are going to meet the boys in Damascus, VA. I'm sure there will be LOTS to talk about when I get back!

Trail Days

To anyone that is interested I am going to meet Jack and the boys in Damascus Virginia (about 4 hours from Columbia) for the Trail Days festival. There are still a lot of details to be worked out, but if you think you are interested in following me up or maybe just going on your own...it should be a very interesting and fun trip. The link below gives more details about the actual festival. Jack said that everyone they have met so far is headed to Damascus...... My email is wigginje@mailbox.sc.edu.

http://www.traildays.us/

Friday April 24, 2009 - Walking Forward

Jack called tonight after they stopped at a shelter where the phone service was really good. He said he is having the best time of his life and loves waking up everyday and the only thing he has to do is walk forward!

He has met lots of interesting people and he said it's kind of like your family on the trail. One man he met is from Isreal who has worked and saved for years just to be able to come to America and hike the trail. There is also a family (man, woman, and 13 year old girl) from Canada who are hiking.

He said it's crazy how fast word travels up and down the trail to all the different people. They are all like nomads (aka trail trash), everyday and everynight you just talk to each other. When you don't see people for a while and you run back into them it's like seeing an old friend. You just keep meeting people and find out they've met the same people you've met. Word of mouth is the biggest thing ever.

He said that he feels like he's living in a scene from The Lord of The Rings because everywhere you look there are crazy rivers and lakes flowing through the mountains. The other night he and Randall saw some Owls and he was surprised that they don't sound like you would think (Whoo Whoo)...they actually sound like monkeys!

Jack's slowly moving north and he said you wouldn't believe how worn the trail is. A blind man walked it and Jack said if that man had written a book he would read the hell out of it.


He also said eveyone has nicknames that other people give you and they just catch on. However James, Jack and Randall haven't gotten one yet. He is going to let me know when he gets one, but he is really hoping it isn't lame! (because they really stick!)

Jack is going to call back after they go through the Smokies in 4-6 days. They will be passing by Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, TN.

PS Jack hasn't run into any big spiders!

A Message from Jack...

Hey we are in Fontana NC now, getting ready to hit the smokies for the next six days. Ill be able to call from Hot Springs NC. tell everyone I said hey!- Jack

I talked to Jack today and they are in Franklin, NC.

Bears

Two nights ago the guys camped near Neels Gap, Georgia. My mom and Aunt Cindy read another AT trail posting off of the internet that said the camping areas in Neels Gap are closed due to bear activity! Good thing they missed out on that action....

Jack and James hiking in Oconee Fall 2007

*Trail Magic*

Right now the guys are in Sasafras Gap, Georgia, about 15 miles from NC. They left Helena around lunch time, in the pouring rain, and

luckily hitched a ride to the trail. By mid afternoon it was hot and sunny. When they were coming down a hill they came upon a cooler full of chips, cokes, and chocolate. When people anonymously leave food and drinks for anyone to take it is called trail magic. Jack said that he pigged out and didn't even feel bad about it (lucky him)! They're hoping for better weather in the upcoming days.

Jack called our grandad, Mark Mark, and they are in Helena, GA. as of right now. They are staying at The Best Western in Helena (with internet access). So far they have hiked about 50 miles. Jack said the next time he talks to people they will hopefully be in NC.


From Ashley Simons in reference to their first post: "So this is what James told my mom....They helped save a man's life Saturday apparently. An older man stumbled up to them disoriented and apparently had hypothermia. They wrapped him in all their sleeping bags, called 911, and he was medivaced to a hospital. Pretty impressive. The first day he said they only got about 12 miles because the hail and rain were so bad."

Hikers

Jack, James,and James' friends Tyler Hollingsworth and Randall Bishop right before they started hiking.

Easter Sunday

Jack called at 12:15. He and the boys have stopped in Neel's Gap, Georgia to take their first showers, buy some more food, and charge their phones. Jack spent $50.00 bucks on food, mainly Snickers! Someone gave them some sausage that they are going to share. They decided not to wash clothes because they are expecting rain for the next few days. They met a young guy and girl from Alaska who are trying to make it to Virginia.

PS Bev made me change the first picture I had up because she said Jack looked like a convict.

Jack's first phone call home

Jack finally called home on Saturday. Beverly was about to have a hissy, but luckily he phoned home just before we all left the house Saturday night. He and his friends are still in Georgia. They have hiked about 10 miles a day. It rained on them all of last night, but they are dry now. They have already had some excitement! An old man that they had met earlier in the hike found them this morning and said he needed medical help. The boys called the paramedics and helped hike the man to the road. This man was in his 70's, previously had 2 strokes, and felt another one coming on. Apparently he had never hiked before in his life. He asked Jack what a poncho was and how to use it!?!? That's all for now!