Who hikes the Appalachian Trail?

I have been asked that.  As a matter of fact many feel like my good friend VonDale who said, “Jack, I know you guys can do it, but why would you want to?”

You would have to know Tuck. He is a man of excitement. Mini-cart racing, Moto cross racing, Tennis, Skiing, hunting, flying, digging lakes, etc. A walk in the woods is just not in his make-up!

(Not the Pilgrim, I called him Santa)

You would be amazed the people we met. All walks of life and as many different reasons. I’ll never forget the first ‘OLD’ man we met on the trail. Called himself ‘Pilgrim’. “My age?” he said,”Three score ten. Why? Just always wanted to walk over 2,000 miles, now I have done it.” (He was about 15-20 miles from the end of the journey! Walking South from Katahdin).

Many young folk hike the trail between HS & college. Or between the BS & Masters to clear their minds (they say). Many young ladies do it for the challenge. ‘Cricket’ and two other hikers.

One of these guys was ‘Tin Man’, the other name escapes me. They were shopping at the Monsoon General Store for supplies for the 100 mile wilderness.

The General store has a four seat cafe'. WHAT A BREAKFAST! (About $3, ham eggs and homefries)

“Grandma'” who had already hiked the trail once and was finishing again. Below is some of her family who had come to hike a few days with her.  But she was solo.

Now we met this guy, who was beat, on this steep Mt. I asked could I take his picture, “Do I have to get up?”

Nah, no need.

What do they call you? “In-Tents” a play on “Intense”

Of course to me, the most impressive of all hikers is Bill Irwin. A blind man who hiked the AT ‘SOLO’ with only his dog, ‘Orient’. They were known as the ‘Orient Express’. We had read his book, and I highly recommend it, “Blind Courage”.

On the trail in Maine, we saw a note taped to a tree, “Bill Irwin speaking locally, date, ‘yesterday’.” we had missed it. I mentioned it on my blog and immediately got a response from Bill’s wife.

To cut it short, They graced us by allowing us to buy them a meal in Bangor, if Bill could pick the place (He is a Vegan). Gladly! We had a great time. That would take an entire entry (or book).

http://billirwin.com/  (Worth a look for sure)

Bill and his beautiful wife Debra (a gracious lady).

Bill’s car tag!

Bill is a well known international motivational Speaker, and he took time to have dinner with us, and discuss the trail. What a story of courage, He is an amazing man.

Thanks for reading and seeing a small sample of the AT Hikers.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

Someone said, when you come to a forks in the road, TAKE IT!”

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Just felt like showing MY ‘55. Of course my Girl and Mark on the trunk! (I paid $50 for that car!)