Monday, April 4, 2011

100 miles +

Tom and Ben made some milestones this week.

1. They left their first state (Georgia) and hiked into state #2 (North Carolina).
2. They hit 100 miles on the trail.
3. They learned that running out of fuel is NO fun!

Before arriving at the Blueberry Patch hostel last week, the boys had
run out of fuel for their stove. They were left with cold oatmeal and
dry ramen. They met a group of guys from Mississippi doing a section
hike on the trail. The guys were kinds enough to share some tuna and
tortillas with the boys.

They have also found some "trail magic" along the way. People leave
food/drinks for hikers in coolers at road crossings, or near streams,
etc. They were happy the one day to find some cold, bottled water in a
cooler. Another time they came upon a couple handing out candy bars and
Skittles to the hikers passing by.

They spent a nice day at the Blueberry Patch. They had to hike to the pickup point by 9:30 am in order to catch the shuttle to the hostel. Tom had them both up at 4:30 am and hiking by 5. They arrived at the transport spot 2 hours ahead of schedule! But since it was first come first serve, they got a bunk. Ben was able to pick up his mail packages- his wallet and his other hiking pole that didn't arrive before they left for the hike. Once arriving at the hostel, they took showers (their first in 10 days1), had their laundry done, and then took the shuttle into town where they went to the library, to the grocery store to resupply and the library to update the blog.

Last Wednesday the boys left Georgia for North Carolina and were headed for the town of Franklin. On the way to Franklin they hit 100 miles. They noticed that Mom had made a calculation error in their forecasted mileage for that week and they arrived a day late in town. When they arrived at the highway leading into Franklin they waited for someone to offer them a ride. Yes, they are hitchhiking- a very common activity amongst thru-hikers on the trail and something that we discussed in-depth before they left. The areas surrounding the trail have accommodated hikers for years and have been known to go out of their way to help the hikers. So anyway, the second car that came by offered them a ride partway into town. He was a former hiker himself and was kind enough to drop them off near some railroad tracks. After he drove off another car came in the opposite direction than they were headed. He made a u-turn and came back and offered the boys 2 subs from Subway and 2 sodas. Being very hungry the boys readily accepted. Again, this was another former hiker helping out the current hikers! Soon another vehicle came by and offered them a ride into town. They arrived in time to attend the annual hiker festival that the town sponsors. The Appalachian Trail actually follows the main thoroughfare of the town. We had switched their hotel reservations from Friday to Saturday but unfortunately their room had already been given away. So they found another local hotel and checked in. They were really grateful for a hot shower, a real bed, and cheap pizzas from Dominoes! On Sunday morning, the hotel offered a shuttle to a local church for all the hikers. The church provided a FREE all you can eat (AYCE) pancake breakfast for the hikers. The boys are really thrilled by all the generosity they have been extended so far on the trail.

So they are still having fun on Day 16 on the trail. Ben did text this morning to say they had mice in the shelter last night but that they didn't get into anything! They haven't had any run ins with bears so that is a positive! This week they are headed for Fontana Dam. This will be there last stop before entering the Smoky Mountains!


posted by MOM

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About Me

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Welcome to our blog. Come and visit and get to know my crazy busy family. First there is me, Tammy, also known as the MOM. And then there is Hank-the Dad. We are the proud parents of 5 wonderful and wacky kids. In order of birth-Nicholas, Thomas, Benjamin, Eleanor, and Maxwell. We are a homeschooling family and we love to explore, travel, and create dynamic family traditions and rituals with our children.