On Saturday, June 4, 2005, Charlie Johnson, Bill Isham and myself went to the AT parking area in Linden, VA just off of VA55 to set up a table with food and drinks to feed hungry thru-hikers. We showed up around 10AM. Charlie and Bill brought drinks, chips, cookies, crackers, snacks, chocolate, ice cream and pretzels. I brought hot dogs, cokes, buns and my grill.

We were set up between 10AM and 4:30PM. During that time we had 3 day hikers, a trail runner, 2 section hikers and 4 thru-hikers. The thru-hikers trail names were 'Uncle Ed', 'Grits', 'Radio' and 'Crazy Katie'.

In the morning, we had a few day hikers and Uncle Ed stop by. Then, the early afternoon was void of any hikers. Then Grits, Radio and Crazy Katie showed up late in the afternoon.

We were disappointed that more thru-hikers didn't show up and that we weren't able to give away all of our food. We even talked about maybe not doing this next year. The reason is that, since the first year when we got 22 hikers, we never have been able to get more than 4 to 10 hikers thru even though we have played with the day of the event and have switched locations.

However, we did brighten the day of the 4 thru-hikers that came through. They left with a full belly, some snacks for later on and, hopefully, a renewed determination to make it to Katahdin.

Bill called me later that evening and suggested that we again do this next year since we did make at least 4 people very happy. I had to agree with him. So it looks like we will be doing this again next year.

More Pictures

Mike C

Bill I at the table.
By Mike Calabrese

Charlie J on the AT.
By Mike Calabrese

Mike C and Bill I.
By Charlie Johnson