The Send Off Was A Success!
Staying in Georgia for the weekend was definitely a good decision. We all got to spend time together and celebrate Jeff and Gavin. Let's name everybody from left to right in the picture. Nanny (Alice) - Jeff's mom, Ma (Linda) - Gavin's grandma/Julie's mom, Lindsey - Garrett's girlfriend, Garrett - Jeff's son and Gavin's stepbrother, Julie - ME Jeff's wife and Gavin's mom. Then you have Jeff and Gavin. Hampton - Gavin's little brother (Anthony's son), Peyton - Gavin's sister (Anthony's daughter), Austin - Gavin's best friend, Heather - Gavin's stepmom, Anthony - Gavin's dad, Mae Mae (Mary) - Gavin's grandma/Anthony's mom, Nennie (Cindy) - Gavin's grandma/Heather's mom and finally Papa Roe (Monroe) - Gavin's grandpa/Anthony's dad. SHEW!
We went to Amicalola Falls State Park on Saturday morning to get their hiker tags. This is for people that register their thru hike. They are numbers 132 and 133 for the year. Also, if you're ever in that area it's a great place to go visit. That was literally the only thing planned for Saturday besides eating. LOL.
When they were unpacking and repacking their backpacks Saturday afternoon, I think the realization of the event really hit home for a lot of us. I've been watching and helping with the backpacks since last March but if they aren't in your face taking up space in your basement you just don't think about it all the time.
We were really hoping for the rain to go around us miraculously, but it chose to rain Saturday night. However, when it was actually time for them to start the hike, it was not raining just misting and windy. Answered prayer!
The goal for their first day was to make it to Hawk Mountain Shelter which was a little more than 8 miles. They accomplished that in about 3.5 hours. Then they had the rest of the day to hang out around the shelter and meet the other hikers coming along the trail.
They had so much free time that Gavin decided to do a pull up competition with a stranger. Good times.
Tomorrow looks like more rain and maybe thunderstorms overnight so let's get to praying again for minimal rain, so they aren't miserable hiking their second day.
I'll keep you posted.
~Julie
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