People Met = 12
When I first hiked the Appalachian Trail in 1975, some people were just beginning to gain a reputation for their stewardship of the trail and the care they provide hikers. I reminisce fondly, as do all AT thru-hikers, of Sam Waddle, Bonnie Shipe, Jean Cashen and others. The ADT is developing its own cadre of stewards, or trail angels as they are often called. Sharon and Paul Weekley of West Union, West Virginia have attained this status.
Living near the North Bend Rail Trail as they do, the Weekleys once encountered and hosted Patty and Robin, a mother and daughter team hiking the ADT in 2006. That got Sharon Weekley interested in the ADT and the people who came through West Union on a journey across America. She did not leave bumping into other hikers to chance; she searches the Internet for people about to start such a journey. When she is satisfied they are legitimate she contacts them via email, as she did with us while we were still out in California.
Paul and Sharon Weekley
We stayed with Sharon and Paul for two days. During that time we prepared a bunch of stuff to send along with Ky when she returns home for awhile. I also gave two talks arranged by Sharon.
One was for the West Union Lions Club, continuing the string of speaking engagements to Lions Clubs in every state except Illinois. They had a special dinner meeting just for us and everyone seemed to be in a lighthearted mood for the affair. A few people stayed to talk to us after the meeting ended, including PDG Rich McMillan and their wife Pat. They gave us a few very nice-looking Lions pins as well.
West Union Lions
Another talk was for the 4th grade class of Doddridge County Elementary School. I was asked ahead of time to tie into journaling, geography and their anti-bullying campaign. That was all easy enough to do with a new format of describing kindness we encountered in each state. The program went over quite well with the kids asking a lot of questions at the end.
The fourth-graders of Doddridge Elementary
Sharon and Paul are once again the type of neighborly friends we have back home. I don’t think the ADT will ever gain the same visibility as the AT, but within the ADT community they are destined to become legendary trail angels.
Saw the clip on Channel 12 today, but Amy also said Channel 5 planned to do a story, so we’ll be watching for that one too.
Greetings Sharon,
We actually have not seen it yet, but we should be able to get ahold of it soon. I got an email from another station (5?) requesting an interview, but I did not get it until two days later so I don’t know if that will really happen.
Kirk
Greetings Sharon
Starting on April 18th, 2012, i will begin doing a walk for cancer research. I will be walking from Wolf Summit, WV all the way to North Bend State Park. and all the way back to Clarksburg. A friend of mine who walked the trail mentioned your name. His name is Nate Damm . I will be needing a safe place to camp April 26 th, 2012. Any help would be highly appreciated. Here is my phone number 304-622-1834
Thank you very much.