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.