Maggie: Day 1

Today started off perfect.  We woke up excited and ready to go!  After showering we headed to breakfast and stuffed our pockets with jellies and condiments until the seams in our clothes were compromised!

As we headed back to our room, Dad met a thru-hiker named Ox at the front desk.  He asked Ox if he would like a ride back to the trail.  He did, and we officially met our first thru-hiker!! :)  

Ox on the way to the Post Office

Ox started January 29th.  He is one of the kindest persons I have ever met.  He had some very useful advice and made my heart smile.  He had to go to the post office first, to bounce a box (that means he was sending a box to himself up the trail).  This was was perfect for us since we had to mail our first mail drop.  (We also stopped at Walmart for a few last minute things)

We discussed, with Ox, that we would be at the same shelter later in the day because as fate would have it, we were starting at the same place, Rockfish Gap!

Our hike was fairly uneventful but we had a lot of laughs, smiles, and some cool views.  

Ready to get started!!!

I was a bit disappointed because there was trash on the trail (who would leave a whole ziplock gallon size bag of trash on the side of the trail?) #annoying.  We didn’t have any room in our packs to pick it up and bring it with us, but luckily, we met up with someone else at the shelter who did!  He carried someone else's trash for FIVE miles.  Fortunately, a few nice ladies (who had just day hiked) were driving down Skyline Drive on their way home and stopped to ask him if he needed anything.  They took the trash with them to throw away.  Thank you for taking care of our trails and our hikers!!!

When we arrived at Calf Mountain Shelter we set up our tents, filtered water, and then ate dinner.  Ox came over and gave us his cell phone number and told us to call him if we need anything or are in trouble in the future.  Side note:  This is why I am hiking the trail, because of people like him.  His story is compelling and heartfelt.  I would tell you more of his story, but he has a blog so you can read it.  Because of his kind soul, I would definitely recommend it and I haven't even read it!  His blog also contains his reasons for hiking the trial:  https://ox2016appalachiantrailhike.wordpress.com/

Later on Ox came back over and gave us homemade jerky that a friend made for him.  Even though he needs the protein himself, he was generous and kind.  He said he has lost 16 pounds!!! It really made my incredible day even better and the jerky was sooooooo good.

And now we are snug as a bug in our sleeping bags and ready for sleep!

Day:  1

Miles hiked:  7.7

Miles off trail to shelter:  .3

Total Miles hiked:  8

Blisters:  0
Real Bears:   0

Jeff and Robby on the trail!

Jeff enjoying life on the trail

I love trees!!