Appalachian Trail and lessons learned

**Shug** · 06-27-2011, 09:52

Good and fine report there. That boy went barefoot? Hardcore))))))))
Nice that ya'll can go together and have that well spent time on the trail.
Shug

**Flackfizer** · 06-27-2011, 19:43

lol--well, I should add that the Bearfinder is always shoeless, so he has got these little leathery hobbit feet already. He has been shoeless for over a year with only a few exceptions in really cold weather. He now has about 100 barefoot miles of Appalachian trail (all told) under his belt--close to 200 in total. He was something of a star though while we were out. We kept on meeting people at shelters and so on who had heard about the barefoot kid. He really loved that. He feels so much like a martian half the time--people don't get him or cant keep up with him. You could see that he was so happy to just be accepted--even seen as cool--for something that often gets him a raft of crap from people who don't understand his sometimes odd choices. It was a great boost. I must say that hiking has been so great for him since he loves the woods so much and people we meet there share that love and just accept that a kid would too.

**LazyMan** · 06-28-2011, 05:16

I enjoyed reading your post, but the last part got me. You have a pet squirrel?!

**ciphoto** · 06-28-2011, 09:16

Great report. Thats awesome that bearfinder does it all barefoot and that you allow him to be who he is.

**STinGa** · 06-28-2011, 11:07

Pretty cool supporting your son like that. My kiddos are similar ... kinda. While they all are serious into dance, they are also hard-core tomboys. Their dance friends don't understand their desire to be outside exploring and camping and mountain biking. In my opinion, it's the best of both worlds.

Keep it up.

STinGa

**Grinder** · 06-28-2011, 11:29

Nice trip report, Phil.
That method of breaking the day into three parts, with longer rests is smart hiking.

I'm glad bearfinder's feet lived to walk another day. I had doubts, myself, when I heard the plan.

I'm hiking a second section in NH/ME in August. I'll have to try the breaks thing myself.

**Flackfizer** · 06-28-2011, 14:44

Originally Posted by LazyMan

I enjoyed reading your post, but the last part got me. You have a pet squirrel?!

We do. His name is Solly. The Bearfinder found him (squirrel finder too) as a tiny abandoned baby and with the help and guidance of neighbor who does this alot, fed him and got him on to solid food. He lived in our house for a short while, but we gave our screened porch area over for his use. Then he started going out and running around with a gang of local squirrels. Now he comes by once or twice a day for some almonds and a little quiet time with his human friends on the sofa or coffee table.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=et1MSnirBpE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nC-AF...eature=related