Sandy Booth, Linda Graham, Pat Childers, Patty Stevens, Patty Boyd, Julia Smythe, Beth Walton, Debbie Lovensheimer, Susan Nash, Mary Anne Sheffield, Nancy Cameron, Joyce Evans. Waiting for the shuttle to the trail head. [contributed]
How many hikers do you know that are over the age of 50? I don’t know about you, but none come to mind except for this group of active women who are all over the age of 55, the “Forever Young Adventurers”.
The core group of hikers is made up of six longtime friends who attended Jefferson Elementary in Dresden, Debbie Walton Lovensheimer, Julia Smythe, Debi Smith, Patty Boyd, Pat Childers and Beth Walton. Many of them were also involved in girl scouts and Debbie is actually a girl scout leader currently.
All six friends went on their first major hike in 2016 on part of the Appalachian Trail that is located in Damascus Virginia. “Our kids were all grown and we just wanted to get out and do something”, explained group member Julia Smythe. Some of the ladies are bicyclists and/or enjoy canoeing but hiking was something that they all had a shared interest in. The hike was hot and there was not much wildlife but the experience was just the start of what has become an annual event.
Hot Springs North Carolina was the chosen destination for the second (2017) hike for the adventurers. This hike was also part of the Appalachian Trail but this time the group picked up a few new hikers; Sandy Berry Booth, Joyce Graham Evans, Mary Anne Cordray Sheffield and Patty Cordray Stephens who is the oldest adventurer of the group at the age of 71. Patty Stephens explained how emotional she was when completing her first hike. “It was a big accomplishment”.
This year’s hike took place on September 18th in Gatlinburg Tennessee in the Le Conte Smokey Mountains. The trail wound 6400 feet up the steep rocky terrain. The trip was a wet one especially since it happened to fall during the hurricane. It poured during the first part of the hike but the sun eventually came out and made the experience more enjoyable. There were a few injuries along the way especially going down but they worked together, encouraged one another and completed the challenge. “We take care of each other and help one another,” said Julia. Although this was the most challenging hike for the group, the sights were beautiful with waterfalls, vegetation and some wildlife including a bear sighting during one of the warm-up hikes. The ladies even passed a convoy of llamas that carried supplies up the mountain. There were 12 participants this time but one of the original members was missed. Debi Smith passed away in April this year. A dogwood tree seed was planted in the mountains in her honor. New adventurers for this trip included; Nancy Cameron Lapp, Linda Graham, and Susan Warthman Nash. Lynn McBride Schlaegel and Anita Williams Rector also traveled with the group to assist them with transportation and drop off.
Julia Smythe and Patty Stephens agreed that one of the best things about their hiking adventures are the people that they meet and get to know. Julia also added, “You are never too old. I feel like I am 20 when I’m out there.”
The Forever Young Adventurers choose a different place in which to hike every year. The goal for 2019 is to conquer a hike in Georgia!
pictures contributed
