Appalachian Trail - Front Royal, VA to the Gardner, PA
"Whether you think you can or if you can’t, you are right.” - Henry Ford
“To walk in nature is to witness a thousand miracles.” - Marie Davis
The Story -
My amazing sister Stacy began the 1150-mile northern section of the Appalachian Trail (AT) at the beginning of May, starting in Front Royal, Va with hopes of making it to Katahdin, ME by September if not earlier. At her current pace, she will complete the AT by mid-August. Below is a short summary from Stacy herself as well as some pictures of her adventures. I also included a brief paragraph with more information about the AT at the end.
Please keep Stacy and her hiking companion Carla in your thoughts and prayers over the next few months as they continue on their life-altering journey.
Appalachian Trail
In Stacy’s Own Words -
Carla Lombardo and I are 133 miles and 15 days out from Front Royal, VA with one zero-day (no miles) and two nero-days (short mile). We’ve had some hiccups - bad shoes and a trip to the chiropractor in Waynesboro, PA. - but we are still inching north one step at a time. We just passed the halfway-to-Maine point at 1097 miles, where there were several thru-hikers (since GA) celebrating! Our longest day has been fifteen miles so far. Tonight (Monday May 23rd) we are staying at the haunted Ironmasters Mansion Hostel next to the Pine Grove Furnace Store where hikers race to eat a half-gallon of ice cream. We opted for a wrap and fries instead. Thanks to everyone for the support and prayers. Get OUT there and Happy Trails!!!
Appalachian Trail Photos -
Buckle up on the rollercoaster! Riders please keep hands and feet inside the ride at all times.
Fog, Rain and Rocks in VA.
Campsite outside Front Royal, VA.
Under the boardwalk, or over the boardwalk in this case!
More fog, rain, and rocks in VA.
We will, we will rock you!
Wet and muddy trail from recent rains.
Still smiling at the VA / WV State line.
Carla still smiling too!
Yay - Indoor plumbing - Overnight at The Town’s Inn - Harpers Ferry, WV.
West Virginia has rocks too!
Like a bridge over troubled waters - near Harpers Ferry, WV.
Water doesn’t appear to be troubled…
Still smiling in MD.
Overlook in MD.
Spring Green in MD.
Rocks in MD as well. Rock scramble anyone?
Mason Dixon Line selfie - still smiling!
Stacy, is that a pee towel? eww…
Are we there yet? Just a little further….
Campsite outside Waynesboro, PA.
Appalachian Trail Halfway Point - Gardners, PA.
Into this tunnel of love.
The Appalachian Trail -
The Appalachian Trail (AT), is a hiking trail in the Eastern United States, extending almost 2,200 miles (3,540 km) between Springer Mountain in Georgia and Mount Katahdin in Maine and passing through 14 states. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy claims the Appalachian Trail to be the longest hiking-only trail in the world. More than three million people hike segments of the trail each year.
The trail was first proposed in 1921 and completed in 1937 after more than a decade of work. Improvements and changes have continued since then. It became the Appalachian National Scenic Trail under the National Trails System Act of 1968.
The Appalachian Trail, the Continental Divide Trail, and the Pacific Crest Trail informally constitute the Triple Crown of Hiking in the United States.
Sassafras and Skinks