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!