Virginia: There is no sadness, only peace and love

Virginia has the most miles of any of the 14 states that make up the Appalachian Trail (AT), at ~550 miles or 25% of the entire trail. Virginia has the nickname «Virginia Blues» as it is very long and can induce the feeling that you are walking in it forever with no end in sight. Additionally, Virginia, from late spring to early summer when trees and shrubs are leafing out, can have a “green tunnel” effect, which can lead to very limited scenic and/or mountain views.

Virginia Winter Beauty

I hiked in Virginia on my northbound AT 2026 hike in winter and had the opposite experience. I didn’t feel sad, but rather rejuvenated. It seemed like I could see the views forever. From Grayson Highlands and wild ponies to the stunning hikes and scenery of Dragon’s Tooth and McAfee Knob, to the stunning beauty of 100 miles in Shenandoah National Park and the roller coaster section, it was so memorable and inspiring.

In Grayson Highlands with a wild pony.

On McAfee Knob.

Trail Towns/Trail Angels

With the angel of the trail and the legend, Johnny Shofar.

The trail towns were very welcoming to hikers: Damascus, Blacksburg (I had hiking friends there – thanks so much for the hospitality), Glasgow, Waynesboro, Front Royal. The few trail angels out there early in the hiking season, and the cool folks at the DC Ultralight Backpacking Club, were true angels and accommodating with food, drinks, kind words, rides, and fun times.

Wild weather

The weather was wild. I had some really hot days in the 85-90 degree range, although not many. I also had rain and 35 degrees which due to a mountain cold front quickly turned into 20 degrees with everything I had frozen and then an impending snow storm. This happened more than once and can be dangerous due to the potential for hypothermia. Thank goodness for the statewide system of shelters and cabins that allowed me to at least shelter from the elements and crawl into a warm, dry sleeping bag to recalibrate and reflect to walk another day.

In a snow storm in the mountains.

Rejuvenation

Lastly, I want to share an important reason why Virginia rejuvenated me for so many miles on my hike. An admission: I am a large, white man who has the privilege of hitchhiking (that is, “hitchhiking” in hiker parlance) to cities without much concern for safety. et al. to resupply food, a stay in a shelter or to wash the only change of clothes I carry. I hitchhiked three times in Virginia. Each time you have short conversations, for example, about the name of your trail, experiences on the AT, where you are from, why you are hiking, etc. When you arrive in town, the person taking you will usually tell you something along the lines of «be safe and stay healthy.» On my three trips in Virginia, which were independent of each other in terms of many days and miles away, all three people told me, “Take care, stay healthy, peace and love.” When the last hitch said almost word for word what the other two hitches had told me many days and miles before, I started to cry. They asked me if I was okay or if I needed help. I said you’re the third issue that’s said the same thing to me, especially the «peace and love» part, and I’m trying to process in the moment what this means as basically strangers who met each other a few minutes ago. I don’t know if I’ve really processed these interactions yet, but I do know that our brief encounters and their deepest feelings were important and had a profound impact on me.

Premium: As I mentioned above, I’m a very early AT thru hiker, so I haven’t met many trail angels. After the third obstacle, near the end of my trip in Virginia I met a lady who was a trail angel, but she had no food or drink to offer. Instead, he said I seemed cold and gave me a new cap that had the word “peace” and the peace symbol on it. Incredible!

Total happiness in Stony Man.

Peace and love: my “why”

Although this walk began centered on me and what I have already experienced and still hope to find and gain from this walk, I believe that, in my own way, this walk is my “Peace and Love” walk. I’m just one person here doing my thing, but from now on, this hike, at least in my mind, feels much bigger than me as an individual and has taken on more meaning than the photos, views, food/drink, and hiker lifestyle. I think I found the “why” of my walk. More info: ufdh. Thank you Virginia, write big.

Virginia: You helped me get here.

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