Back in June, our town sponsors an event called Troutville Trail Days. Trail Days is an annual celebration of the Appalachian Trail. While there, we met this super nice couple, James and Priscilla. They are "thru-hikers" which is a hiker or backpacker who has completed or is attempting to walk the entire Appalachian Trail in one uninterrupted journey. Completing the entire estimated 2,180 miles of the Appalachian Trail in one trip is a mammoth undertaking. Each year, thousands of hikers attempt a thru-hike; only about one in four make it all the way.
They were so friendly and ready to answer every question we threw at them about their journey. I asked if I could take their picture for my blog and they kindly obliged and gave us their card so we could follow their journey! You can follow them too by clicking here.
Taken from the website: “Going into our second year we were unsure what to expect in terms of hiker participation, but we quickly realized the hiker community was pouring in,” raved Sybille Nelson, T4T President. “Our community was prepared with free services, support, and hospitality for which everyone was truly grateful.”
Many hikers arrived early in the week and decided to stay to enjoy all the weekend had to offer including medical support, gear repair, and retail vendors. We kicked off with dinner on Friday night which was provided by The Church of the Brethren in partnership with The Baptist Church of Troutville and St. Mark's Methodist Church. Dinner was a huge success and hikers boasted about it all weekend. The kids at the Church of the Brethren made encouraging cards for the hikers and ALL of them were freely taken from the table and adored! As the hikers arrived and settled in, many utilized the free showers and laundry that were offered at the Troutville Fire Department and Rescue Squad. This is a fantastic service available to thru-hikers and one of the most appreciated."
Good luck James and Priscilla! It was nice meeting you!
Linking with Signs, Signs
What a great couple and a great community! Hope they finish the trail.
ReplyDeleteThat really is a huge undertaking and commitment. To make it, though, would be a great achievement! I hope they are able to finish!
ReplyDeletepretty amazing! glad there's a lot of support!
ReplyDeleteLove how the community comes together to support the hikers. What an amazing journey. I will definitely check out their site.
ReplyDelete...traigo
ReplyDeleteecos
de
la
tarde
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la
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una
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de
mi
corazón
para
invitarte
y
darte
este
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para
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tu
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blog
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desde mis
HORAS ROTAS
Y AULA DE PAZ
COMPARTIENDO ILUSION
TANYA
CON saludos de la luna al
reflejarse en el mar de la
poesía...
ESPERO SEAN DE VUESTRO AGRADO EL POST POETIZADO DE EXCALIBUR, DJANGO, MASTER AND COMMANDER, LEYENDAS DE PASIÓN, BAILANDO CON LOBOS, THE ARTIST, TITANIC…
José
Ramón...
What an adventure. Hope they have a safe journey. Love your portrait, Tanya.
ReplyDeleteI admire people who do this sort of adventure! I tend to stick much closer to home and creature comforts.
ReplyDeleteOh, good luck to James and Priscilla! We're also near the Appalachian trail up towards the other end and met a couple through hikers last summer. What an awesome journey that must be!
ReplyDeleteGood luck to James and Priscilla! We have a friend who is currently about to complete this hike. What a journey!
ReplyDeleteI read the best seller book last summer about the young woman who attempted the trek solo. Great read. Wonderful that you met all those great people doing the mammoth thing. The free showers, laundry and food would be a godsend to the hikers. Fabulous community service.
ReplyDeleteRosemary
Cute couple.
ReplyDeleteWow that would be an amazing thing to accomplish! Best of luck to them. Going to check out their website now.
ReplyDeleteWhat an undertaking. I hope they made it all the way thru!
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