Cactus Jack

21/07/2024

It's been a year since I (John W. Sone) wrapped up my Appalachian adventure. It sure was a great time. Gratitude to family, friends, fellow hikers and Providence for allowing me to embark on it.

28/06/2024

In the woods . . . these plantations of God, a decorum and sanctity reign. . . . Standing on the bare ground, my head bathed by the blithe air and uplifted into infinite space, all mean egotism vanishes. I become a transparent eyeball; I am nothing; I see all; the currents of the Universal Being circulate through me; I am part or parcel of God. -Ralph Waldo Emerson

18/02/2024

Physical therapy has performed its miracle once again (along with the body's natural inclination to heal itself). And the alpha galactose allergy has subsided. Still, other pursuits beckon. I won't finish the thru hike, but will seek great segments from time to time. This article touches some highlights of my experience. I urge everyone to find their own immersive adventure where they can get to know themselves a little better.

I always knew I'd be a thru-hiker. But things change. Here's how I found peace in the process of abandoning my lifelong goal.

21/07/2023

800 miles complete. Farewell Appalachia. Cactus Jack signing off. PS If you'd like to see this story of my AT hike in chronological order you'll have to scroll all the way down to the page creation in February 2023 and then scroll up one post at a time.

14/07/2023

Winding down my AT adventure. Meantime, my inactivity on my personal page has induced someone to impersonate me on Messenger and possibly clone my FB account. Please be on the lookout for an impostor and report it promptly should you have the opportunity. Thanks in advance!

13/07/2023

Starting the final 70 miles of trail to make 800 at Buena Vista. This has been a fantastic experience, one of a lifetime. I'm unplugging from social media from here on out and will sign out as a wiser trail hiker and man. Thanks to my wife Linda Haddock, son and daughters, and many friends for all the encouragement along the way. It has made a difference for sure.

12/07/2023

Passing through a couple of trail towns today. Always a morale booster, particularly after trail like this nursing aching knees and a throbbing hip. More on trail etiquette also.

11/07/2023

Having completed the Virginia Triple Crown yesterday, feeling pensive this morning. Rarely does the AT (or life for that matter) offer such a smooth path as this one. Realizing that the life turning point I imagined has already arrived as I ponder the finiteness and relative inconsequentiality of my existence. I am feeling like the Toby Keith song, "I'm not as good as I once was, but I'm as good once as I ever was." Hoping I have a few more good climbs left in me, with pleasant views to follow.

10/07/2023

Hiking past McAfee K**b.

08/07/2023

Joined the 700 club.

07/07/2023

After climbing a few thousand feet for an hour and a half what should I find on top of the ridge but a park bench for a weary hiker. Wow! But after Wind Rock Mtn I think this trail owed us a break. (Note the high temp here.) Last but not least is the moving Audie Murphy monument. Do you see that Lone Star flying over Virginia?

05/07/2023

Gorgeous hike in Mountain Lake Wilderness today. And, good news for hikers and bears: the blueberries, blackberries and raspberries are ripening.

04/07/2023

Happy Fourth of July from Wind Rock Mountain, VA.

04/07/2023

It looks like I passed through WV briefly yesterday. More rhododendra, once a cash crop to English gardeners in the 18th century. Still in the Virginia Blue Ridge. Three more daunting climbs left until the Shenandoah.

01/07/2023

After crossing the New River I just couldn't pass this delightful spot. Besides, I had just finished a brutal climb, was running out of water and a storm was coming. Rice Field Shelter. Hope there are early fireworks shows.

30/06/2023

Supplied up. Lost and recovered my phone twice in the process. Checking my maps to head north in the morning and really feeling this image from the cover of Boy's Life by Steve Pietzsch, an artist EchoinBlanco is extremely proud to represent.

30/06/2023

Resupplying in Pearisburg, 170 trail miles into VA right near the WV line. Looking through the smoke you can make out the mountain. Angels Rest, my hostel is named after. The town dates to 1808 and as you can see from the map has many if not most of the conveniences of modern life (including a DQ). In the bunkhouse as usual.

28/06/2023

This would be a much better view without the Canadian wildfire smoke!