Crossed the Georgia/ North Carolina border on the 20th
Matt wanted to take the family to Mountain Crossing Outfitters where he ended his training the year before with Craig Miles. I was a beautiful day as we sound our way up the mountain. The place was packed with the hikers that had started off just a few days before. A lot of them were having a gear shakedown; gearing them of things that they will not need and choosing gear that better suited for them on there hike. The store also had a group of bikers that were converging for a rally at the Outfitters leaving very little room to look. I ended up hanging around outside an just listening to the hikers that were staying the night at the Hostel and learning about the Boot Tree in front of the store. It seems that when your boots wear out after you complete the AT you can throw your shoes into the tree.
Afterwards we headed back to town and located a grocery store, and filled Matt's food bag and hung put at the hotel. The next morning we dropped Matt off at State park with a fine rain falling. It was a hard parting, full of smile and laughter and talk when we would see each other next. We were getting a late start because no one wanted to part. But at last we said our goodbyes and Matt started the trail up the Falls and we headed back home. About 2 and a half hours later I get a phone call from Matt's parents telling me that he had left his phone in the car. Sure enough the I located the phone under the driver's seat with the volume off. Matt called again shortly on another hikers phone and we decided to mail it on Monday to Mountain Crossings and he could pick it up when he arrives on Wednesday. Wow it has been a wonderfully busy week. First the Family toured Amicalola Falls State Park. The first people we met was an eager Thru Hiker named Get Weird and her nervous parents. She had her pack on and was waiting for the ever enthusiastic Serenity, the Park employee that give guidelines for the Hikers and soothes worry parents nerves. We were picture taking and explaining how things were going to happen tomorrow when Stone hits the trail to our 6 year old daughter. Get Weird grew tired of pacing and sat on one of the park benches out back where the starting arch is. The gound was soft and the bench was old with the corners of the legs worn. As soon as Get Weird's full weight settled, the bench started to tip backwards in slow motion taking her with it. We all scrambled to help catch her and help her from her turtle on it's back predicament. All were laughing and joking that she had now gotten her first fall on the AT out of the way. Serenity then came back out with two more hikers starting that day called Beez and Buzz. It was a great day to hike and shortly they were on their way. I know that Get Weird is making good time and is a day ahead of Stone. Beez and Buzz are coming a long a little slower as he as already passed them on his hike. We left the park check-in after meeting Serenity and the hikers, to meet up with Craig and Suzie Miles and their children for breakfast at the lodge. We had a wonderful time talking with them. They were kind enough last spring to help with Stone's training, it was great catching back up after a year. After breakfast we all settled on a short jaunt to the Falls. They were beautiful and got to see were Stone would hike the 604 steps to the top tomorrow. We were sad to say goodbye but we were wanting to drop a small re-supply box off at Mountain Crossings. Mountain Crossings outfitters is the only place the the Appalachian Trail runs thru a building. They have gear and food for the hikers. To Be Continued... We left for Georgia on Friday March 11th and Matt hit trail on the 13th. I will Post every Sunday from here out on where he is, how he is doing and any trails stories I have to pass along. Next I must apologize for the last couple of post. It seems that I fail to actually post them, for they were sitting in queue waiting for me when I logged on. I promise to be more prompt. We have had many great and wonderful blessing over the last couple of weeks. First Matt had the honor of baptizing our Daughter. They were both over the moon. What a blessing to watch our daughter grow into a child of God. Then we were contacted by WDBJ 7 to cover our story on the News. This has reached out to a lot of people. They hope to follow up as Matt hikes back into Virginia in May. If you missed the short piece here is the write up. http://www.wdbj7.com/news/local/botetourt-county-man-hiking-appalachian-trail-to-spread-a-message/38411598 BOTETOURT COUNTY, Va. - Hiking the Appalachian Trail is a big decision. But leaving your family, quitting your job and doing it all to spread a sometimes controversial message is even bigger. Despite those challenges, on March 13, 2016 Matt Clonch from Botetourt County is ready to take a spiritual journey.Over three-million people, from all over the world, hike the Appalachian Trail every year. What would possess someone to want to hike 2,189.1 miles? Clonch says many are hiking in search of something. "Whether it's a new purpose or a new meaning to life or just to find themselves. A lot of people that actually finish the trail find that they never found what they were looking for." That's where Clonch and the White Blaze Mission begins. "As new situations arise, I want to help people find Jesus and expand their faith." His wife Susan says when he approached her about it, she was shocked at first. "I kind of thought he was joking at first, then I looked at him like he kind of lost his mind. He came to me and said he had a calling from the Lord to hike the Appalachian Trail and witness along the way." Clonch consulted his church, they all prayed over him and the mission, he quit his full time job of eight years, then packed a thirty-five pound back pack. Clonch says this calling is undeniable and his experience is something he has to share. "I know what addictions are, and I know about the struggles people face, and other difficulties in life they're trying to overcome. I've done it and I've been there," explained Clonch. The Appalachian Trail covers 14 states. Matt will hike about 5 million steps and it will take approximately 6 months to finish. Clonch doesn't call it easy, he calls it faith. If you’d like to support Clonch: White Blaze Mission Fincastle Baptist Church P.O. Box 707 Fincastle, VA 24090 To follow the White Blaze Mission on Facebook, click here. |
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