Day 2 – Slackpacking Virginia – Time & Choices – AT Hike #17
Hike #2 Virginia – Fox Creek to Massie Gap in Grayson Highlands State Park 9.8 Miles 2,694 gain and 1,463 loss
Today started off with Lumpy, our shuttle driver, letting us know that if we ran into any trouble in the Scales (the area we were hiking through today), he wouldn’t be able to reach us. He shared that the last time he tried the 4 1/2 mile rock crawl to the Scales, he broke three shocks and tore off the oil pan. Well, alrighty then, let’s hope for no injuries today.
I had a few different ideas throughout the day for today’s blog, but it wasn’t until the ten of us sat down for dinner and Kristen mentioned a conversation she had on the trail that I knew what I wanted to write about. During our first evening together, I was in shock when Kristen, Becki, and Joanna shared that they had been friends since middle school. During today’s hike, I couldn’t help but marvel at how remarkable that truly is. As the forest transitioned from dense oaks to a sun-ripened grassy ridge, I realized that I couldn’t think of a single person from middle school who would even want to hike the Appalachian Trail with me, let alone someone with whom I’ve maintained a strong enough friendship to travel together.
We came upon heavy roots and rocks when we crossed paths with an older man, his backpack full and his smile beaming. He shared that he was camping on Pine Mountain and had come to hike the trails from Brown County, Indiana. He also let us know that the wild ponies were out and that we would see them in a couple of miles. He was clearly thrilled to be here, as he shared with Kristen and a few others that he was 93 years old and that he hiked alone because his friends were all gone and that he’s too slow to hike with the younger folks. I couldn’t help but marvel at how remarkable that truly is. What excuses do we have to not hike and to not do the things we love?
The weather was just perfect, with a good mixture of sun and clouds, a slight breeze, and a moderate temperature as we navigated the diversity of today’s section of the trail. It wasn’t until the very end of today’s journey that we met the wild ponies and Melanie, a lovely woman from Tennessee who drives over an hour and 45 minutes every other week to see the ponies. We learned that there are about 1,000 wild Spanish ponies, and they originally arrived between 1780 and 1790 and were used for farming in the mountains. Every fall they are gathered together and vet checked, and then a couple hundred of them are auctioned off to help fund winter food drops to help feed them during heavy snow. Lumpy warned us that the ponies love to lick the sweat off of hikers (because they don’t get any natural salt) and they also like hiking poles and backpack straps. I made sure to keep mine safe (sweat too). Melanie walked with us passionately talking about the ponies and how beautiful tomorrow’s hike will be for us all when we get to summit Mount Rodgers. I couldn’t help but marvel at her dedication and devotion to drive that far twice a month to see the ponies.
Just as the forest on the Appalachian Trail in Virginia is a testament to the resilience and beauty of nature, the friendship of three women who have maintained their bond since middle school is a testament to the strength and enduring nature of connections. The same connection the older man finds as he meets new friends on the trail and thinks about the memories with all the old friends who have passed away. The same connection Melanie has with her ponies. What all of them have in common isn’t just the connections they are making, it’s that all of them are making the time to do what is important to them. They have made friendship, hiking, and loving the ponies a priority. What’s yours?
As I sat at the table and watched the three women giggle together at dinner, I thought about the trees in the forest, with their deep roots and towering presence, symbolizing the foundation and growth of their friendship. Over the years, these trees have weathered countless storms, just as the women have faced life’s challenges apart, yet together. The diverse flora and fauna of the forest represent the different experiences and memories they have shared, each adding richness and depth to their relationship.
I couldn’t stop thinking about the older man and his incredible spirit. His determination to keep doing what he loves, despite the challenges, was truly inspiring. It made me reflect on my own life and the excuses I sometimes make. Meeting him was a powerful reminder that age is just a number, and it’s never too late to follow your dreams.
And Melanie, her dedication and devotion to the wild ponies are truly inspiring. All three of these stories are a reminder of the importance of following our passions and making time for what truly matters in life.
(The internet connection is super slow and still waiting for more pictures. I will update the blog with more pictures from today)
