New Article Up!

I just discovered that a new article on our hike is now up online, published by the Greene County Record.

Talking About the AT

Well, there is no reason to have hiked over 2,000 miles and not at least share about it! And that is just what we did at our neighborhood library last week, giving a ninety minute presentation complete with over 200 pictures of our AT odyssey. It was a great deal of fun, and we had a lot of interesting questions and comments. It made me realize that all those little talks we gave at the AMC huts in the Whites as part of our work-for-stay got us ready to bigger leagues. We are hoping for more talks this spring and summer, and are already set to give a talk to 15 Scout leaders about hiking on June 5th.

Now if I can only sell my book on this adventure!

Onward and upward.

Uploaded Photos!

Wow, do I love photos, especially of the trail. I am getting a folder of pictures ready for a presentation on the trail at the Greene County Library in Stanardsville, Virginia on April 24. It's fun reliving the adventure through the photos I have taken.

To the right I have posted the photo album for the next section of the AT we hiked last year - from Unicoi Gap to Erwin, TN. Lots of pictures, but they are all fantastic memories! I also have a bunch up on White Blaze.

And check out some photos I took on the AT that recently won an online contest! Scroll to "older posts" and my entry listed on March 28, 2008.

God on the Trail

Being Easter weekend - Happy Easter! - I wanted to share this photo I took just off the Appalachian Trail in northern Pennsylvania during our hike. A gentle reminder of the great love God has shown by way of the cross and now the miracle of the resurrection. And a powerful reminder even in far away places that God is there.

One Year Ago...

Hard to believe that a year ago to this day, we were heading to Georgia to begin a six month adventure on the Applachian Trail. Then the start on March 5, 2007 - on a clear crisp Georgia day. The stories are many as are the memories, and ones we will very much cherish.

To see my entries marking that day, check out my trail journal.

I Will Gladly Help!

Any AT hikers out there - long distance, sectioners, thru hikers, if you need anything like the mail drop listing I have posted here on my blog or other information on services, gear, etc. I will gladly send it via e-mail. Just let me know by e-mailing me via my profile page. Some have tried to copy the information and are running into difficulty. Sometimes it helps to get info (and yes, encouragement!) from someone who has been there and has gone through it all.

Safe travels and have a great time!

Where We Sent Our Mail Drops in 2007

Paul Bunyan resting in front of the Unionville Post Office after receiving our mail drop.

While many long distance hikers choose to buy along the way, Paul Bunyan and I did a combination of mail drops and buying (like cheese, bread, chips) which fit our needs well. At times my husband, Skipper, delivered our boxes to us. We chose a combination to help supply nutrition and to mail necessities (such as my medicines, etc).

Note on mailing Mail Drops - be sure to send them Priority Mail with delivery confirmation. Do not send surface. We had two boxes in Maine get lost or arrive without any contents after they were sent via surface. Most POs will hold boxes for a long time, so don't worry if you are running behind. If you are way behind or must leave the trail for a time, you can call them to let them know. Also, drops sent Priority can be forwarded ahead if you find you don't need them. Some hostel owners will do this for you too, but best to call them if you need your box forwarded to see if they will mail it for you.

Also, if you are using fuel canisters, they can be sent in the regular mail. BUT they must go surface mail and with a sticker on the box that has a symbol for "no airplanes" - available at your Post Office. Don't let your PO or others tell you they can't be mailed. They can. We did it several times.

This was our schedule in 2007:

Neels Gap - Skipper brought but you can send drop to the outfitter

Unicoi / Hiawasee- Skipper brought but have good grocery store

Dicks Creek- we dropped at Cloud Nine Hostel

Franklin- you can maildrop at the PO or shop. Ron shuttles to both

NOC - Mail drop to outfitter

Fontana Dam - we went to the Hike Inn which shuttles to Robbinsville. We also dropped at the Inn.

Standing Bear Farm - mail drop

Hot Springs - mail drop and a Family Dollar there; outfitter

Erwin - Skipper brought, Supercenter there for resupply but out of the way

US 19E - mail drop to the hostel - Mtn Harbour B&B

Kincora - mail drop, but they shuttle to town for shopping

Damascus, VA - mail drop to PO but you can buy there; two outfitters

Atkins - we paid $5 to drop at the Relax Inn

Bland - Skipper supplied, but services are there

Pearisburg - we dropped at a friend's, but services there

Daleville- great grocery and outfitter, don't plan a drop here

We then went home (we live in the area), slacked, did sections on weekends, etc. But some options for drops in this part of VA include:

Glasgow- requires hitch

Buena Vista - long hitch

Dutch Haus B& B - check on on drops or might be able to drop at Montebello

Waynesboro - full service town, but spread out, excellent outfitter

Shenandoah NP- you can resupply at the waysides (Loft Mtn, Big Meadows, Elkwallow), but can be pricey

Front Royal - full service town, but spread out and requires hitch

Bears Den - check on mailing a drop there

Harpers' Ferry - you can drop at the ATC office; outfitter here

(the rest below are what we used)

Pine Grove Furnace SP, PA - maildrop to Ironmasters

Duncannon - maildrop to PO, they also make a grocery run

Port Clinton - mail drop to PO; Cabelas with fair selection (can get fuel)

Palmerton - great place for supplies or mail drop if needed

DWG- Maildrop at PO; outfitter

Unionville - mail drop to PO

In NY we got supplies from Skipper. Convenience stores in this area are expensive for resupply.

Kent, CT - Mail drop to PO; poor outfitter

Salisbury - Mail drop to PO, have grocery store

Cheshire, MA - mail drop at PO

MA 2 - good supermarkets here

Manchester Center, VT - mail drop to PO or you can buy; two outfitters

US 4 - Mail drop at The Inn at Long Trail.

Hanover, NH - mail drop to PO and buy at Food co-op (a little pricey); outfitter

Glencliff - mail drop to PO including your cold weather gear, limited food at hostel

Franconia Notch - if you stay at Chet's you can buy in Lincoln; outfitter

Crawford Notch - mail drop to campground

Pinkham Notch - mail drop to AMC office; outfitter (small)

Gorham - mail drop to PO or buy (Wal Mart supercenter here with town shuttle); outfitter

Andover, ME - we sent our box to The Cabin but they are closing.

Stratton - maildrop to PO or buy at grocery store

Caratunk - this one is tricky. Might see if the Northern Outdoors resort will take a mail drop since the Ferryman is closed and he had a store.

Monson - mail drop to PO (store limited for the 100 mile wilderness, IMO)

Abol Bridge - store there