Adkins Are At the AT Again

The Roanoke (VA) Times has a column by outdoors writer Bill Cochran in its 15 February edition titled "Striper Fishing Sets Record Pace."

Doesn't sound too Trail related. But, if you scroll down a bit you'll discover the following note:

"A MORE LEISURELY PACE ON THE AT

"Leonard and Laurie Adkins are scheduled to strike off on the 2,176-mile Appalachian Trail in early March. If successful, it will be the fifth thru-trip for Leonard and the fourth for Laurie. The two live in Botetourt County, where Leonard writes outdoor guidebooks.

"The difference this time, said Leonard, is that they “going to emphasize time over distance.”

"What that means is less attention to making miles and more on the luxury of enjoying vistas, waterfalls, wildlife, trail towns and the multitude of other attractions of the Georgia-Maine journey.

"The Adkins expect to get passed by many hikers, and they plan to skip some areas and come back to complete them later in order to make Maine’s Mount Katahdin before the snow flies.

"'We will finally have the time to discover and appreciate all of the small parts of the Appalachian Trail that come together to make up the whole,' said Leonard."

Leonard's trail name is "Habitual Hiker." Laurie is "The Umbrella Lady." His web site has him scheduled to give some presentations at an Elderhostel in Wirtz, Virginia in April and June. Check it out!

One of these days I'll have a job that I can take off from for more important things like hiking.