Over 2 Months, More Than 600 Miles... and Still Going STRONG!

McAfee's Knob, a little over 2 months and 600 miles in...

It's been a few weeks since I have updated the blog, in which time I've had several short phone chats with Jeff.  Last weekend, he was in Troutville VA - a little after his 600 mile mark, I believe.

Jeff's stay in Troutville was courtesy of a nice, young couple that he (and his friend Jess) met while hitching in to town to resupply.  The couple offered to let them hot showers, a crash spot on their spare futon and even the use of their washer and dryer while they lounged in a pair of their scrubs!  Once again, the love shared with Jeff along the trail surprises and delights me!  The sweetest part of the whole deal was that Jeff & Co. were asked to design a quilt patch, for a larger quilt the couple intends to build - a collaboration of many AT thru-hikers they've met and housed.

The shot above is of Jeff on McAfee's Knob - the most photographed spot on the entire Appalachian Trail.  While Jeff did report that it was astoundingly beautiful, he said it was one of the most tourist laden spots they had encountered as well.  He preferred some of the other nearby areas, as they were a little more untouched and equally as beautiful.

Jeff will soon be in Harper's Ferry, West VA.  At this point, he will bid goodbye to his new friend Alex.  She has been hiking the trail with his group since the first week!  Alex's original plan, along with Jess (who I mentioned earlier), was to exit the trail at Harper's Ferry (near their home) - doing about half of the full Appalachian Trail.  Although Alex is sticking to Plan A, it seems the magic of the AT and the thru-hiking bug bit Jess hard... she's decided to continue on to Maine with Jeff!

Jeff and Jess will make a stop in Harper's Ferry, visiting Jess's family & friends as they resupply and Jeff picks up a package from home.

One of us should hear from Jeff any day now, at which point I will do my best to get another blog update in...