Buena Vista, Virginia

Dad stopped off in a small town to resupply and was able to grab some Chick-fil-A while he was there (and I am sure a milkshake or two- yum!). The following are some photos of the trek in as well as some hiking buddies (captions).

 He also met a section hiker and his dog that he liked... they surprised some of the hikers with breakfast.  Love trail magic.  Below is an email from "Slim Jim" to Dad (notice the trail names!). Feel free to email this guy or become a participant in trail magic.  On a side note, maybe Dad will get a hound when he comes home, he really liked that dog!  (jamesbaumjr@hotmail.com)

Milk Shake,

Hope you guys enjoyed the trail magic.  Martha didn't quite get the order right because I had poor cell service on Saturday night and she'd had a little too much to drink at her golf tournament.  :)   And forget about sending us money, just pass the trail magic on to someone else in need.  I know those special moments of unexpected kindness inside the hiker community are what make hiking so much fun after a couple of tough days.

Chick-fil-a
710 Shenandoah Village Dr Waynesboro, VA 22980

Just checked the locater, no Chick-fil-a in Harpers Ferry.

Enjoy your hike,

Slim Jim and Buddy Coonhound


Enjoy!

Bridge Over James River

Deer in front of Shelter

Inside Shelter

James River

View into Buena Vista

"Good Ole Boy" Farhmer (his accent Dad says :) ) from MA

Newer Shelter

Newer Shelter

Older House on the Trail

View

View

"kilp springer" (small deer in South Africa- 75 years old)

Fathers Day - Roanoke, Virginia

Dad  is in Roanoke, Virginia.  I have posted some of his journey below...

* Weather- VA experienced the same severe weather we did.  The huge rock formation below is what Dad was climbing (which he does not like to do) when some of the storms hit.  He took cover under a ledge for a while.

* 87 year old hiker is along the trail -- Dad and him have seen each other at a few of the stops... What an inspiration!

* Audie Murphy- Please see pictures below of the memorial of  WWII vet who was killed when his plane crashed.

Also, please read the little captions on the photos as they are usually how he describes the photos.

Happy Fathers Day  Daddy- Your girls miss you and love you!!

Rocks he was climbing when storm hit.... (notice the White Blaze-- and then add 35 pounds to your back.. whew!)

View from his hostel

Funny looking rock

87 year old German hiker

Largest oak on the AT

Milkshakes, A President, and Boots-- trekkin Virginia!

* Dad's new trail name is Milkshakes- :)  Folks on the trail who know of his new fondness for them gave him the name!

* Pearisburg, Virginia- Dad visited Andrew Johnson's home... and had his......

* Boots fixed because Keen boot's customer service was not helpful AT ALL in fixing the eyelets on his boots. 

Photos from the weekend:

Wildlife (including a snake!)

Johnson-post office

Add caption

Pearisburg

 

Suspension Bridge

Ladder to bridge

Bland, Virginia

* Dad called and left a voicemail after 19-- yes, 19!- miles last night!  Whew!! 

He wanted me to share the following photos as well... 

Cattle Crossing

Cows

"Different" kind of shelter along AT (did not stay here)

Some hiking buddies

Fence crossing (look at this closely- the pasture- how cool!)

Very rocky trail.....

Rocky....

The view

Enjoy!