SKYLINE DRIVE, VIRGINIA

While riding and exploring Skyline Drive, and taking a break at Ivy Creek Gap, we came across this young and courageous woman from Indiana who was through hiking the Appalachian Trail.

 She was heading north, having started in Springer Mountain, Georgia on March 25th, and was now at mile 900 !

 Today was May 24th. Quick math tells me she is averaging 15 miles a day for two months.

 Looking into her eyes, the clarity and serenity was apparent. How could it not be ?

 Out there on the trail that long and any Demons lingering must be conquered - or succumbed to.

 You would for sure find and know yourself if you hadn't already.

 She sat down for a break at the overlook between the trailheads and indulged in her peanut butter - straight from the jar with a spoon.









Jim and I left her there and walked north on the AT ourselves for a bit, imagining what it would be like to hike the whole thing. Just getting a very small taste of course, but feeling the spirit of the adventure.














Looking out from the Trail.





Heading back along the trail towards the bikes we came back across the hiker (somehow I forgot to ask her name)as she had resumed her northern march and I snapped an action shot of her.




















Found a field expedient hammock !! Smack dab on the Appalachian Trail no less.