A Different Perspective - April 23, 2025

Builder's second take on the AT is well underway (today is day 3) so it's time to give you all an update on where things stand. On April 21st he set out from Harpers Ferry, WV. He said he passed many section hikers heading north. "One was from Syracuse," he said, lest you NY friends and family ever doubt that the state of NY was his first love.

He reported that the hiking was "much easier" than what he encountered in GA and NC. However, it doesn't look easier from this picture of the "typical conditions" he encountered that first day.

You can see how happy he is to have hit the Virginia state line, however, officially knocking off a second state (GA then WV) from the list.

As I mentioned in the last post, he set out from the "psychological" halfway point of the trail. So of course he had to capture a picture of the mile marker showing how far it is to the "end" (where he originally started) for those who are travelling Southbound (SOBO).

On Tuesday, April 22nd, he reported that he had "completed the roller coaster section" which I had just read about in Senator Tim Kaine's book "Walk Ride Paddle", his memoir from hiking, bike riding and boating all over the Commonwealth of Virginia over the course of a few years. (Thanks to Ann for the recommendation!). Kaine describes the roller coaster section as "a fairly monotonous but intense pattern--climb up four hundred feet or so and then drop down. Repeat for twelve and a half miles." He added that that section has "no killer views to make you feel that you have achieved anything".

Fortunately, the trail contains bits of humor. I like this sign far better than the warnings at amusement parks (as is well known in our family, I'm NOT a fan of roller coasters, although I can handle Space Mountain now).

Builder reported that his feet were beat after that day's hike. He did the only sensible thing he could do at that point. (Don't worry - I'm sure the drinking water source is set up differently so as not to be contaminated by any random sock lint.) Also note the blue tape wrap he is sporting on his right knee to help reduce pain.

In other news, he now seems to be able to notice "wildlife" around him, instead of focusing solely on the path before him. (No wild bears - yet - thankfully.) He said he saw a rabbit at the shelter last night and shared these two pictures as well. (Someone other than me will have to figure out what they are. Identifying creepy crawling things is beyond the scope of this humble blogger's job description.)

This morning, while I was at the gym, he texted to say he had just crossed Rt. 50, a major (and often quite scenic) roadway in Virginia. What a cute sign!

I decided to try to point out one of the features I love about Virginia so much by pinpointing his approximate location on the map in blue and using Google Maps to add "wineries nearby". As you can see, there are many. We spent a lovely day at Valerie Hill during Covid year 1. Barrel Oak is huge and very dog friendly, with a nice Chardonnay.

This is what kills me about Builder's current journey. I know how beautiful Virginia is (and did I mention wineries???) In our early years we often picked a direction on a weekend and went to three wineries in a day. Route 50 was one of those roads we often travelled. Tastings were free then and we explored a lot of different areas of the Commonwealth that way. So I WILL be going to Virginia sometime to lurk around where he is and hit up a winery or two.

Well, that's all the news from Builder to report so far. If you've read this far, I must thank you again for your support of his slightly modified quest. And if you want another perspective of what he's doing, get your hands on a copy of Tim Kaine's book. He touches on a lot of things he experienced as a Senator while he conducted his journey, including Covid. He's a really decent human being who has served Virginia so well. We always say that Virginia is God's country (though we have said the same about NY and NC too). Still, having lived there for longer than anywhere else it will always hold a special place in our hearts.

Thanks again - and stay tuned for more in a couple of days.