A Couple Days on the Trail

These pictures are a couple days mixed together. The big rock the kids are on is called Buzzard Rock.
On the AT it is custom for people to give you a trail name. The kids of course have been dying for theirs. Trey got his the other day from Cookie, a woman they met on the trail. It's "Tarzan" because he was swinging around from the rafters of one of the shelters.
They found a one eyed turtle and named it "Patch" and a Lizard named "Spots."
I hiked in to meet them today, only about 3 1/2 miles total but I wore Sam's pack on the way back and seemed to be ok. I'm going to do the same tomorrow. So hopefully the next town we are leaving from I will be able to join them.

Back on the Trail

Sam and kids headed back out today. They enjoyed two nights of rest and hanging out.
After wearing my pack for a little while yesterday we decided it was best for me to wait until the next town to start hiking. I am going to meet up with them every night to hang out and sleep. Don't worry I have my routes mapped out on a paper map and notes on where I'm going!
One of the pictures below has the kids standing in both Virginia and Tennessee. I'm sure they thought that was super cool.
Well I'm heading out to meet them soon. Hope to update tomorrow.

Day 2 & 3

On Day 2, I think the kids were feeling their packs more than the first day. Sam took on a lot of their weight but they were having a time adjusting. 
By the end of the day they were good but I think there were few tough miles. The kiddos are such troopers!
Sam said they came to a parking lot and the kids started running down hill toward civilization not even 24 hrs into the hike.

Day 3 Sam asked me to meet them at a parking lot just off the trail for lunch. I brought Chic-fil-a, fruit and brownies. They were so excited and hungry! It was good to see their faces and hug their necks.
I kept their packs and let them hike for a few miles without them and set a time to meet them at another parking spot. Well let's just say the road wasn't clearly marked and I was an hour and a half past our meeting time. No cell coverage...no GPS..no paper map. Driving around mountain roads. I asked multiple people; no one knew where I was trying to go. Then I found some wonderful people on one of the bike trails. I told them they were my angels! I was mainly concerned bc I had all their gear except the first aid kit and they each had a water bottle.
I kept praying and God led me to my trail angels and all was well!
Sam and the kids have some amazing pictures can't wait to share them!

Cool surprise on Day 1

One of the reasons Sam picked the starting point was because there are wild ponies. They are wild but are so accustomed to humans they will walk up to you. The kids had no idea and were so excited! 
I guess Tuck learned the hard way not to mess with a pony. Sam said the mom pony warned Tuck but he didn't listen. He went to sniff the pony and she kicked him, knocked him a little silly I guess.
They had another surpise and saw some longhorn cattle. Sam didn't realize they roamed there as well.
I was going to wait and let Sam write about the pictures but Mayson was concerned there wouldn't be enough posts for people to look at so she asked me to go ahead and post these. 😄

The Adventure Begins

Day 1:  And they're off! Sam and the kids started the hike yesterday. Starting point was Grayson Highlands State Park in Virginia.
   I threw my back out last Sunday so I am recovering for a few more days in a hotel. My back is getting better thanks to my wonderful neighbor/Chiropractor Dan.
   I must say I got emotional watching my family walk off with out me but I'm excited to hear what adventures they have! I'm sure I'll survive being in a hotel with and bed and shower and tv for a few days by myself. 
   Sam sent me 2 of the pictures below.

Our Summer Adventure

 

 

Dusting off the old blog to share our adventure this summer on the Appalachian Trail.  We are planning on spending 30 days hiking the AT this summer. Several people have asked us to keep them updated on our trip so we thought this might be a good way to do that.

 

We hope to be able to post fairly regularly.

 

People have also asked about sending us mail along the way. Below are the places we will be stopping that we can get letters or packages. Our first stop is in Virginia but there probably isn't enough time for mail to reach it while we are there. I'm sure the kids would love to have some mail to encourage them. Below is how to address the mail.

Sam Smith
Boots Off
142 Shook Branch Rd
Hampton, TN 37658
Please hold for Section-Hiker est. arrival 7/3

Sam Smith
Mountain Harbor
9151 Highway 19E
Roan Mountain, TN 37687
Please hold for Section-Hiker est arrival 7/7

Sam Smith
Uncle Johnny's Nolichucky Hostel
151 River Road
Erwin, TN 37650
Please hold for Section-Hiker est. arrival 7/12

Sam Smith
General Delivery
Hot Springs, NC 28743
Please hold for Section-Hiker est. arrival 7/18
 

 

 

We leave in a couple days so look for updates here and on our Facebook pages.

 

Thanks for checking in!

Traci, Sam, Mayson, Trey & Tucker Dog