A Breakfast Buffet, 1st Resupply & Hiker Ceremony

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Left to right, Shrek, Scout & Chopper

Today was day 7 of our flip-flop thru hike and it was also resupply day.  “Sir Packs Alot” and his wife “TAK” (Trail Angel Karen) picked us up right off the trail on RT. 220
In Daleville.  1st stop, Country Cooking and their breakfast buffet.  Needless to say, we all overindulged and it was awesome! 
Thanks to both “Sir Packs Alot” for treating us and to “TAK” for having cold drinks ready.  Thanks lastly, but not least to our family support group, who sent us everything we needed for the resupply and MORE!

WE CELEBRATED ANOTHER TRAIL NAME CHANGE at breakfast when “Scout” had her name struck (by Shrek & Chopper).  While she was and has been consistently out front…she has also gotten a little trail lost on occasion (don’t we all?).  The change is magical in the fact that it brings a cause dear to our sister Kathy and niece Nicole’s hearts….. Which is greyhound adoption (former race dogs past their racing days).  GREYHOUND IT IS!  Fast, sleek, lean and moving like the wind (although we also may have seen her chasing a rabbit at dinnertime).  We toasted the name change and it’s now official!

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                     Greyhound

Finally, the first week is in the books.  88 miles on the nose and Tinker Cliffs and McAfee Knob in sight for tomorrow’s hike and our first hostel stay hopefully Monday night!

I’d like to finish this post and hopefully many more with an adaptation of a quote I enjoy from  NFL Hall of Famer Mike Ditka…and adapted for our thru-hike: 

Today’s Hike is History, Tomorrow’s Hike, a Mystery and right now is a gift (fed, warm & dry)..which is why it’s called the present. 

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Comments 20

  • Teresa : Mar 20th

    So proud of all of you. Keep putting one foot in front of the other. God speed!

    Reply
    • Duke Conrad : Mar 20th

      Thanks Teresa, we’re doing exactly that;). Tomorrow is The Four Pines Hostel and our first shower and bunk. Only 7-8 miles tomorrow!

      Reply
  • Lauretta Carter : Mar 20th

    Chopper Duke,
    Love following your blog.Looking forward to hearing the stories from Sir Packs A lot tomorrow at the office. YRGA was cold, windy, and wet today at Heron Ridge. But we plodded through….need to build up those points!
    Safe travels and fair weather,
    Lauretta

    Reply
    • Duke Conrad : Mar 21st

      Lauretta,

      You’re awesome for following along;). Bobbi said that my new (fiited by Golf Galaxy) clubs are in. She’s bringing them during her spring break visit so I can see them (and her). What did Sir Packs Alot have to say (about the 2 days with us, or his “solo” days? ). He was indeed a trooper and after resupplying us, treated us to breakfast! Hiking the AT is no walk in the park!

      Reply
  • Ann Phinney : Mar 21st

    Melvin and I are keeping a watchful eye on you. Be careful out their old man!!

    Reply
    • Duke Conrad : Mar 21st

      Thanks Ann girl & thank Melvin too! I’m trying to “represent”

      Reply
  • Brandai : Mar 21st

    Duke I’m so proud of you. Keep up the good work. In taking care of your girl so have fun.

    Reply
    • Duke Conrad : Mar 26th

      Thanks Brandai,

      Bobbi has told me that you’re looking out for her and I appreciate your efforts and know she does too! Tomorrow finishes 2 weeks and we are looking forward to a short day and resupply tomorrow

      Chopper

      Reply
  • Beneline Williams : Mar 22nd

    Thank you for sharing your journey with all of us! Look forward to the continued posts of you, Shrek, and Greyhound!

    Reply
    • Duke Conrad : Mar 26th

      The Good, the Bad & the Ugly is posted and I forgot one of each:

      The Good – Greyhound is getting a tan in March

      The Bad – Greyhounds tan is a hikers tan

      The Ugly – Wait til you see her in a bathing suit;)

      Thanks for reading Beneline! It’s nice seeing people keep up with the journey!

      Reply
  • Chris Capozzi : Mar 23rd

    88 the first week! Hell, we did at least 6 miles at Heron Ridge! Keep up the good work! One foot in front of the other………
    PS Seshadri finished his first marathon this past weekend at the Shamrock…….came in at 6 hours! He is another one of my heros!

    Reply
    • Duke Conrad : Mar 26th

      Hey Chris,

      Funny thing, golf…got fitted for a new set of clubs A-Z including bag, golf balls & head covers…and won’t be using them til I get back. Goooooo Seshadri! My hero too! Tomorrow completes week #2 at 83 miles for a total of 171 miles. Going into town for a food resupply, malt at Dairy Queen and hotel and soft bed. Back to the trail from there!

      Duke/Chopper

      Reply
  • David Shu : Mar 27th

    Duke, we talked at the REI in Richmond – I’m starting in spring 2017 with plan of Harpers Ferry south then fly north and head south to HF…. Good luck fo you! Will be keeping up with you vi blog… Shu

    Reply
    • Duke Conrad : Mar 29th

      Thanks Shu for taking the time to look me up and post! We’re at VA. 606 and plan our 1st zero this Saturday/Sunday. Rain coming in Thursday and Friday, so good timing;)

      Chopper

      Reply
  • Stephanie (sophie) Hufton : Mar 29th

    Hey there! Raggedy Ann and I met you all in the trail yesterday along with your brother and niece. It was great seeing your happy faces enjoying life on the Trail! We finished our section hike up just a couple hours ago, stopped at Tangent Outfitters and stuffed our faces with pintos and cornbread and my personal favorite, God’s liquor in the south, Pepsi. We’ve subscribed to your big posts and look forward to following and living vicariously through you over the next few months! Enjoy and be safe!

    PS: I’m a teacher, also! I teach in a middle school that you may have been able to see from Tinker Cliffs 6th grade math! Enjoying Spring Break this week before the SOL review doldrums begin!

    Reply
    • Duke Conrad : Mar 29th

      Sophie,

      I’m flattered that you and Raggedy Ann actually found my post and responded;). You ladies were fun to stop and chat with and Greyhound asked me later that day if I had talked to the 2 of you……OF COURSE I did! We take our first zero this weekend after 2 days of forecasted rain (which you well knew). Enjoy the rest of your break….my wife’s a teacher and her break starts Saturday…so she gets started as you finish……but spring break to the end is a piece of cake! BTW, she teaches MS too and LOVES IT!

      We pigged out at Trent’s Grocery and ate back at it on the morning. This is actually a very nice place to camp.

      Chopper

      Reply
  • Bob Parker : Mar 31st

    Hey Duke, another former golf coach following your trek. Hope to do it one day!
    Bob Parker – Bayside Golf 91-96

    Reply
    • Duke Conrad : Apr 2nd

      Hey Bob,

      How could I forget you and your Dad? It’s been quite a while and I think it’s awesome that somehow you found my blog and are following our adventure. So far we have 249.8 miles in the books and are taking Sunday off. It’s our first 0 day of the trip and I’m looking forward to it!

      Duke/Chopper

      Reply
  • Heather : May 22nd

    LOVE reading your post and had to hunt down how Greyhound got her name. Love it!! Fellow Greyhound lover and adopter here. Me and a good friend hike locally and she takes her greyhounds along. (mine are too old to start hiking) Hitting the AT in 2017 for a flip flop thru hike as well.

    Keep it going, you got me pumped.

    Reply
    • Duke Conrad : May 28th

      Heather,

      Thanks so much for following the blog! My sister Kathy will be excited to know that another Greyhound lover is following along. As an update, I’m sitting at a picnic table on the north side of I-66 answering your reply. We see Greyhound again on Tuesday! Good luck with your plans for 2017. Tame the time to be in the best shape that you can. It can be a grind;)

      Chopper

      Reply

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