Chipmunk's Solo AT Thru Hike Update
Day 77 Appalachian Trail, VA Miles Hiked to Date: 736 Hiked yesterday: 0 Trail Miles Miles to Katahdin: 1477
One of the challenges that Chipmunk faces hiking the Appalachian Trail is being around kids her own age. She knows that it's unlikely her friends from home can visit ... so ... thanks to Spicy Jesus and Mayor, she got the next best thing! Val and Darren brought James, Katherine (a.k.a. Buggy) and Jaclyn (a.k.a. Jack) to our hotel room Saturday morning to celebrate Chipmunk's birthday. I hope the pictures convey just how much fun they all had!
Day 77 Appalachian Trail, VA Miles Hiked to Date: 736 Hiked yesterday: 0 Trail Miles Miles to Katahdin: 1477
One of the challenges that Chipmunk faces hiking the Appalachian Trail is being around kids her own age. She knows that it's unlikely her friends from home can visit ... so ... thanks to Spicy Jesus and Mayor, she got the next best thing! Val and Darren brought James, Katherine (a.k.a. Buggy) and Jaclyn (a.k.a. Jack) to our hotel room Saturday morning to celebrate Chipmunk's birthday. I hope the pictures convey just how much fun they all had!
 Having Fun in the Hotel Pool |  Goofy Pool entries |
 The kids had a blast splashing, swimming and laughing. |  Synchronized Swimming? |
 AfterSwimming, the girls had fun playing "Beauty Shop"; they brushed Chipmunk's hair, applied makeup and perfume! Ta-Da! |  The kids all took a timeout to enjoy birthday cupcakes ... Chocolate, Chipmunk's Favorite! |
 Frosting is the best part of the cupcake!  James, Buggy and Jack gathered around and helped Chipmunk open presents. |  Even Chocolate Chip knows that!! |
 Chipmunk enjoyed a group hug from her new friends! |  Next Stop? The park, of course ... where kids can really be kids! |
 Chipmunk and James were pretty well matched for see-sawing but it wasn't long before they were trying to hold the other up in the air. |  After the park, Spicy Jesus, Mayor, James, Buggy and Jack had a 3 hour car ride home. Chipmunk and I got a great surprise from some hiking friends when we returned to town. Four Pines Hostel Owner, Joe, his son, Josh, hikers Uke, Scuba Steve and Harry all showed up with a birthday card and Krispy Kreme Donuts for Chipmunk! They also gave her $15, one dollar for every year! It was such a nice surprise and it's great to see Uke looking well after his spider bite ordeal. |
Chipmunk and I were both thrilled to meet Harry, of Germany. He is 87 years old and may well become the oldest solo thru hiker when he completes the trail! I was thrilled to get a pic of the oldest and youngest solo thru hikers together!
 After seeing old friends and new friends, Chipmunk wanted to "feel pretty" so we headed to the local mall where she got a professional makeover at Macy's. |  After the makeover, Chipmunk tried on dresses and found this fabulous and fun dress which she bought with her Chipmunk Bucks. She said it made her feel "retro". |
There was one birthday wish that I couldn't help her with ... she'd have loved a date with her favorite singer, Niall Horan, from her favorite boy band, One Direction. Although this photo looks pretty good ... one of them is a cardboard cut out. I do think they make a cute couple!
Many of our friends, family and extended family came together in person, in messages, in phone calls to make Chipmunk's 15th Birthday a wonderful and memorable day. Chipmunk and I thank all of you!
To our friends at Darby Communications, thanks for the wonderful box full of goodies! She loves the shirt, visor, and treats!
To Pox and Puss of Pox and Puss Podcast (a truly exceptional podcast for hikers, by hikers), thanks for the yummy treats and the nail polish ... AND THE BUBBLE WRAP! Our family has a long history of loving bubble wrap!
To Darlene, thanks for the Clif bars (in Chipmunk's fave flavors!) and the beautiful necklace. She is taking it to Katahdin with her.
To Spicy Jesus, Mayor, James, Buggy and Jack, thanks for the great new "Openly Mountain Goat-nola" and for a great breakfast out, and most of all for being wonderful friends. Chipmunk truly enjoyed the fun and magic you brought to her day!
To Mailman and Whisper, thanks for the Amazon Gift Card ... Chipmunk can't wait to shop for new books! Also, thanks for the eye shadow in her favorite colors: green, green and more green!
To Faye and Mike, who've known Chipmunk since she was a baby, thanks for the letter and goodies ... they will go to good use!
To Rosie, thanks for the Chipmunk Bucks and the kind words! Chipmunk will think of you when she wears her new dress!
To Barking Mad, thanks for the Chipmunk Bucks, too! Chipmunk is enjoying figuring out what her next treat to herself will be.
To Uke, Joe, Josh, Scuba Steve, Harry, thanks for the GREAT TALKING & LAUGHING Card, the donuts and the money ... It was a great surprise and it made our day to see all of you!
To Gmom, Aunt Janice, Brother Chip, the editor, Grammy, The Zerpheys, Flatfoot, Danger Dave, Lost and Found, Talker & Talker's Dad ... AND EVERYONE ELSE who called, emailed and sent cards (please forgive me if I've left anyone's name out) ... Thank you! Your words and remembrance of her special day boosted her! Although she missed seeing her dad, brother, sister, Gmom and Grammy on her birthday, she felt loved by all of you! She and I are lucky to have such a wonderful extended family.
Thanks again for all your support,
Mama Chip, Papa Chip, Chipmunk and her dog, Chocolate Chip
(Tammy, Jay, Neva and Coco)
To our friends at Darby Communications, thanks for the wonderful box full of goodies! She loves the shirt, visor, and treats!
To Pox and Puss of Pox and Puss Podcast (a truly exceptional podcast for hikers, by hikers), thanks for the yummy treats and the nail polish ... AND THE BUBBLE WRAP! Our family has a long history of loving bubble wrap!
To Darlene, thanks for the Clif bars (in Chipmunk's fave flavors!) and the beautiful necklace. She is taking it to Katahdin with her.
To Spicy Jesus, Mayor, James, Buggy and Jack, thanks for the great new "Openly Mountain Goat-nola" and for a great breakfast out, and most of all for being wonderful friends. Chipmunk truly enjoyed the fun and magic you brought to her day!
To Mailman and Whisper, thanks for the Amazon Gift Card ... Chipmunk can't wait to shop for new books! Also, thanks for the eye shadow in her favorite colors: green, green and more green!
To Faye and Mike, who've known Chipmunk since she was a baby, thanks for the letter and goodies ... they will go to good use!
To Rosie, thanks for the Chipmunk Bucks and the kind words! Chipmunk will think of you when she wears her new dress!
To Barking Mad, thanks for the Chipmunk Bucks, too! Chipmunk is enjoying figuring out what her next treat to herself will be.
To Uke, Joe, Josh, Scuba Steve, Harry, thanks for the GREAT TALKING & LAUGHING Card, the donuts and the money ... It was a great surprise and it made our day to see all of you!
To Gmom, Aunt Janice, Brother Chip, the editor, Grammy, The Zerpheys, Flatfoot, Danger Dave, Lost and Found, Talker & Talker's Dad ... AND EVERYONE ELSE who called, emailed and sent cards (please forgive me if I've left anyone's name out) ... Thank you! Your words and remembrance of her special day boosted her! Although she missed seeing her dad, brother, sister, Gmom and Grammy on her birthday, she felt loved by all of you! She and I are lucky to have such a wonderful extended family.
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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