Chipmunk's Solo AT Thru Hike Update
Day 100 Appalachian Trail, VA Miles Hiked to Date: 1011 Hiked yesterday: 14 Trail Miles, Miles to Katahdin: 1173
Chipmunk and I got up early and dressed and ate before we knocked on Ellie and Mike’s camper door. As promised, they came out and gave us big hugs before we headed back to the trail. I thanked them again for the wonderful visit and for spoiling us. Most of all, it was really good to connect with good friends.
Day 100 Appalachian Trail, VA Miles Hiked to Date: 1011 Hiked yesterday: 14 Trail Miles, Miles to Katahdin: 1173
Chipmunk and I got up early and dressed and ate before we knocked on Ellie and Mike’s camper door. As promised, they came out and gave us big hugs before we headed back to the trail. I thanked them again for the wonderful visit and for spoiling us. Most of all, it was really good to connect with good friends.
I drove back to the road crossing where I had picked up Chipmunk the day before and I was stunned at the number of cars on the road. The morning rush hour traffic was not only heavier than the traffic when I picked her up the day before but also much faster moving. I know that she has had and will continue to have road crossings throughout her hike but I still worry more about that aspect of the trail than snakes or bears. Nonetheless, she pulled on her pack, confirmed our meet up and back up meeting spots and kissed me goodbye.
I drove into the neighboring town, found a library and posted the blog. I took care of a few more online items and then I returned to the truck and texted Papa Chip. He called me and we talked for quite some time. It was good to hear his voice but I truly wish he were back together with us here. His tour is currently in Wyoming and he has sent me beautiful pictures … this one is the view from his tent when he woke up. I’m happy that for him that he’s seeing so much of our country from the seat of his bicycle. I know he loves his bike and exploring the country. As of today, it’s one month until he flies back East after his cross-country bicycle tour ends.
After we wrapped up our phone call, I saw that there was a text message from Chipmunk. I opened the attachment and it was a pic of her next to the iconic one thousand mile marker on the Appalachian Trail. She texted, “I would walk 500 miles and I would walk 500 more”. My eyes instantly welled with tears. I know that she’s been struggling lately: hiking in heat and humidity thru the very tough Roller Coaster section, not hitting her daily mileage goals and dealing with the intense mental challenge of hiking the A.T. Her dad and I are so proud of her.
I entered an address for a store that the A.T. Guide said was .3 mile east of the trailhead where we planned to meet at the end of the day. I drove some winding roads … all paved, Hallelujah! I found the store easily and once I passed it, I quickly came to an intersection where I stopped and looked in both directions. The A.T. guide did not show a “P” for parking but from the intersection I could see a parking area. I decided to drive towards it and to my surprise, there was a sign at the driveway that read “Keys Gap Trailhead Parking”. Woo Hoo! That was easy! I pulled the truck in and backed it into an open space. Chocolate Chip and I walked over to a sign for the Appalachian Trail and saw that it showed how close Harpers Ferry, WV was. I smiled. There are a few milestones that most every hiker looks ahead to: the 1000 mile mark, arriving at the Appalachian Trail Conservancy in Harpers Ferry, WV and about 80-90 miles beyond that, reaching the true halfway point of the Appalachian Trail. One down … two to go!
Chipmunk came in from the trail around 5 PM and looked better than she has in days. She climbed into the truck and started taking off her boots. She told me how a group of boy scouts passed her on the trail and immediately recognized her. They said, “You’re Chipmunk! You were on T.V. You’re famous!” About half of the 14 or 15 boys stepped up to shake her hand. She smiled and giggled a little as she told the story.
As I mentioned in an earlier blog, Chipmunk got a donation and declared “PIZZA” … so once her boots were off and airing out, we headed to the local pizza place. It never ceases to amaze me how much some pizza and WIFI totally makes her day. All that said, for the last few months I’ve witnessed hikers come off a miserable section of trail with downtrodden looks on their face that change radically once they see someone giving out trail magic. A cold soda, a chocolate bar or fresh fruit is like gold to them. If they are so lucky to stumble upon hamburgers, hot dogs, etc., they are ecstatic. Thankfully, there are trail angels who help boost the hikers!
After dinner, we returned to the gap to camp overnight. Other hikers arrived and set up tents in a clearing but Chipmunk was too tired to go out and socialize. We both fell into our bunks by 7:30 pm and I don’t think either of us awake past 8 pm… including Chocolate Chip. I fell asleep realizing that Chipmunk would be hiking into Harpers Ferry in the morning.
If you enjoy reading the story of our adventure, and you’d like to send some “Trail Magic” to Chipmunk, click on the “Donate” button at the upper right corner of today’s blog post. Chipmunk maintains a twitter account: @openlymtngoat where a common hashtag is #GoChipmunk . She (or we) will try to answer any questions you may have about her hike and this family adventure.
Thanks again for all your support,
Mama Chip, Papa Chip, Chipmunk and her dog, Chocolate Chip
(Tammy, Jay, Neva and Coco)
After dinner, we returned to the gap to camp overnight. Other hikers arrived and set up tents in a clearing but Chipmunk was too tired to go out and socialize. We both fell into our bunks by 7:30 pm and I don’t think either of us awake past 8 pm… including Chocolate Chip. I fell asleep realizing that Chipmunk would be hiking into Harpers Ferry in the morning.
If you enjoy reading the story of our adventure, and you’d like to send some “Trail Magic” to Chipmunk, click on the “Donate” button at the upper right corner of today’s blog post. Chipmunk maintains a twitter account: @openlymtngoat where a common hashtag is #GoChipmunk . She (or we) will try to answer any questions you may have about her hike and this family adventure.
Thanks again for all your support,
Mama Chip, Papa Chip, Chipmunk and her dog, Chocolate Chip
(Tammy, Jay, Neva and Coco)
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