1 Month Down!

I haven’t talked to Trevor since Monday, but it seems fitting that I should post something today.

Trevor started the trail on March 7^th, exactly one month ago today!  Based on his SPOT transmissions it appears he’s around mile 390 with his eyes set on Watauga Lake, Tennessee.  After weeks of teetering between North Carolina and Tennessee, he finally finished with North Carolina (State #2) today, and only has about 70 miles before Tennessee (State #3) is just a memory.  This is such an accomplishment and we are very proud of his determination and success so far.

Yesterday Trevor worked his way up Roan Mountain.  This is the last mountain over 6000 feet that he will cross until he reaches New Hampshire.  It’s also known as the coldest mountain on the trail.  I feel certain he spent last night at a shelter near the top of Roan so I can’t wait to hear how cold it was this morning!

Trevor is now hiking through a region that is very familiar to me and my family.  My mom and dad were born and raised in Elizabethton, Tennessee, which is just a few miles drive from Roan Mountain.  I grew up visiting the area often and hearing about Roan Mountain and its notorious rhododendrons that bloom in the month of June.  Over the years we’ve held family reunions at Roan and it’s ironic that Trevor just hiked over it.  Below is a photo I took of Trevor and Daniel sitting on a rock on the top of Roan during one of these reunions; Trevor was 4 at the time and Daniel was about 15 months.

Over the next several days Trevor will hike near Elizabethton which is where many of my aunts, uncles, and cousins live today.  He will pass next to Watauga Lake, which is a man-made lake built by the TVA during the depression to generate electricity in the region.  As a young girl, my mother used to hike from her home in Elizabethton to the mountains near the lake to pick blackberries for canning!  Also, my dear Uncle Floyd led many boy scouts on hikes through this area and my Mom says he was very involved in building and maintaining the App Trail shelters in this region.  I wish Uncle Floyd was here to witness Trevor’s hike, but I’m sure he and my daddy are in heaven with big grins on their faces. J

Good news!  I received Trevor’s photo card today and below are a couple of the pictures.  Enjoy!

Trevor at the start of the official AT after hiking the 9 mile approach trail

Trevor in Georgia, likely the 2nd or 3rd day of hiking.

 Trevor, Nattie and Cotton.

Mountaineer enjoying breakfast at the Blueberry Patch Hostel in Hiawasee, GA

Trevor crossing from Georgia into NC.

Finn, Firefly and Trevor posing with a llama!

One of the snakes they encountered after meeting Apple, the Trail Angel.

If you want to see all the pictures and videos then go to http://www.trailingtrevor.shutterfly.com/  I will post the link at the bottom of this page in case you forget!