Georgia to Maine - - Please join me from start (4/1) to finish (8/10) - 132 days!!!!!

Bethlehem, NH
I have completed my thru-hike of the AT from Georgia to Maine; I started 4/1 and completed 8/10/10. I decided to do this thru-hike in memory of my brother Michael and in turn decided to turn it into a fundraiser. All money raised went to the Adaptive Sports Partners of the North Country which gives year-round opportunities in sports and recreation to people with physical or developmental disabilities. My wife Pam and I got involved with this program because it allows us to help people with disabilities enjoy the outdoors like we do and my brother Michael did. Michael was born mentally challenged, and he loved to visit us in the North Country of NH and go hiking. He also loved the outdoors and did many other sports. So, to help others do this and other outdoor activities is a TRIBUTE to him, and an HONOR to us. Many of you have helped me along my journey and donated (follow donation link) directly to a secure website. All donations have gone and WILL CONTINUE to go to ASPNC – nonprofit org to help assist others to hike, ski, kayak, snow shoe..etc… Thank you all in advance for your kindness & generosity, Dave & Pam Smith

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Friday 5/7

Left at 8am on his way to Atkins, Va to pick up his mail at the Happy Hiker Hollow. This is a shelter that excepts mail drops. He gets all excited for mail deliveries. I do put all correspondence anyone sends to him unopened in his packages. So, please if you have anything to send, cards, paper pics, funnies, jokes....get it to me and I will put in his next mail package. This way he is only getting 1 box at each mail stop and there will be no lost mail or rejected mail, just in case he has already past that point.
On his way he came across several butterflies hoovering near some lilacs that had just blossomed. Pretty site. Walking with Spring, his 1st blooming lilacs.

He got his mail. He really enjoys hearing from everyone. Thank you everyone, keep them coming. He has way too much food. Guess we didn't plan well for this drop. He ended up leaving a jar of peanut butter(sick of it for right now) and some other items in the hikers box for others to take if they wish. His load is now lighter and he his happy.

A yearling bear ran out into the trail right ahead of him and they both surprised each other. Dave stopped. The bear ran up into the tree. Dave just stood there looking to see if the mother was anywhere around. Nope. So he tried to get out his camera for this photo op but the bear jumped out of the tree and went on his way. How exciting. His 1st encounter w/a bear on the trail. He also saw 4 deer all together near a stream. Soon as they saw him they left.

Ponytail will camp at Crawfish Valley along Reed Creek tonight. He got there and he ran into someone he had been hiking w/earlier. Jeff. Jeff now has a trail name. Ichabod. They have been missing each other because Ponytail  was always a day or so ahead. Speaking of that he hasn't seen Landfill, Maple or Inferno lately.  As of right now Mr Vic and 2 Rings are ahead. PTD says he will catch up to those 2 really soon. Those 3 have this I gotta get ahead of you kind of attitude. That is good. Keeps them all pushing ahead.  Also, Dave found out that Ginger Snap and Orange Moon decided to leap frog ahead to NY. They had already done this part of VA several years ago and will finish now by doing a section hike from NY to ME. They sent an email saying bye for now to their hiker family. At the shelter was also Bad Dinner and Stretch. Ponytail had met them before but never spent time w/them.
Posted by Dave Smith (Smitty) at 5/09/2010

1 comment:

  1. Gingersnap10/5/10

    I decided to check out Daves blog, great pics and journaling by Pam. Sorry we didn't get to meet, I'm Gingersnap. We miss our April Fools gang, its very different hiking in New England before everyone tromps through. We're glad to hear that Jeff has a trail name now. Happy to see you both got to enjoy the Grayson Highlands, aren't the ponies awesome!! Sounds like PTD is just truck'n along, we hope to see him and the rest of the gang for trail magic once in new england come july, who know's maybe june at this rate. I will keep check'n to see how the hike is going. Be sure to tell him we say hello and think of him and the rest of the family often! ;)

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