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

Anderson family get together

In August we had an Anderson family get together at my Aunt Sharon's. Most of the crew was there.

the gang

This picture was taken almost 30 years ago...wow that makes me sound old. It's on our PawPaw's pier.
(back row l-r) Keith, Stephanie, Todd
(front row l-r) Nicole, Geoff, Amy, Traci

re-creating the picture

the little cousins...I guess Chace isn't so little but these are our kids...minus Lael who wasn't there

The top left is a picture of my Dad and his Aunt Estelle. She is 99 years old!!
She looks great and is sharp as a tack...I hope I got some of her genes.

fun in the pool

the boys enjoyed the underwater feature on my camera

Fun w/ Paul

Mayson loves Chace so much...she is stuck to him like glue

Caeden and Trey

Randoms

Mayson fell asleep in Trey's room, I had to get a picture before I moved her to her room.

Worn out boy

One weekend while we were in Tuscaloosa Bob and Larry from Veggie Tales were at the bookstore. We had to go meet them.

Mayson with Bob and Larry

Lala cut Larry's head off :)

They randomly hold hands in car. It always makes me smile

We saw this riding down 20 on our way home from Alabama

lovin on daddy

Fun at the Lake

We spent Sam's birthday (in July) at the lake w/ the Andersons and Lisa's parents. We had a great time. I love seeing the kids play with their cousins.

Lael and Mayson



Todd fishing

Sam turned 36

ummm watermelon

my sweet Caeden

trouble

going for a boat ride

I wonder what he was thinking in this picture

Granddad visit

Granddad came to visit and brought over and assembled the playset I got from my cousin Amy. The kids love it and have had lots of fun playing on it. Thanks Granddad!!

silly girl

Helping do some repairs

Trey busting a move

Trying out the playset, in his pjs

Trey dancing