 |
LuAnn "Tigger", Randy Anderson "Chuck Norris" & "Old Drum" "Old Drum" & "Chuck Norris" on the 7 mile bridge in Key West
An attempt to thru-hike the Eastern Contential Trail (ECT) is being made by Randy Anderson "Chuck Norris". His wife LuAnne sent us a story and some pictures of Chuck Norris and "Old Drum"(Chuck's hiking companion for the Florida Trail) and herself at the southernmost point in Key West and a couple of Chuck on his way north to Newfoundland. You will like her story and can follow Chuck's journey on www.trailjournals.com/chucknorrisandtigger or on this web site. We will have pictures and reports from time to time. LuAnne "Tigger" is going to join Chuck at Springer Mountain for the rest of the journey to Crow Head , Newfoundland and Labrador.
Below is a excerpt from their journal:
We arrived in Key West the afternoon of Jan 1. Went straight to the buoy to check it out and for the guys to see where the ECT starts. (I had been to Key West many times so I acted as tour guide.) We then headed to Mallory Square for the "sunset celebration" which is always entertaining. Not a great sunset, but it didn't matter. We were entertained by street entertiners juggling, a drum and violin band, acrobats, a one-man band, and much more. Vendors were selling everything from Key Lime Pie to Christmas ornaments, art work, jewelry. We found a great restaurant nearby for dinner and enjoyed local seafood, and called a couple of hiker buddies to "gloat."
We were fortunate to have a house provided for us near the 17-mile mark, up Highway 1. Actually, it's the vacation home of my ex-husband, who was kind enough to let us stay while we were in the area. We split up on the morning of Jan 2 for our first hiking day. Old Drum is so generous, and is mainly walking the Keys with Chuck in preparation for 20+ mile days on the Florida Trail. He plans to return home after that (when they reach the Alabama border, but plans can change...) . Old Drum is also walking along with Chuck to provide some company and share expenses, since staying in the Keys is pricey (campsites rarely less than $50). Anyway, Old Drum offered to drive our van up the trail and hike south so that I could hike north with Chuck for the first 2 days, before I had to return to work in central
Florida.
After pictures at the buoy at around 7:30 AM, Chuck and I started our walk through the streets of Key West. Breakfast was crackers and a honey bun from the convenience store, quick, because we were ready to walk! It felt SO GOOD to be walking again. Key West is a pretty town. Interesting people everywhere. Beautiful 1900s architecture, parks, flowers, and part of the walk in town was along the water. We thoroughly enjoyed walking in the city. (I had to get used to not being able to squat behind a tree to pee...that was different.)
Out of town, it was nice...we especially enjoyed the bridges because the water down there is beautiful. The traffic got a little old, and the pavement is tough on the feet. We all had sore feet, and a few blisters, but overall a great day one. We had a wonderful lunch at Bobalu's Cafe where we met up with Old Drum. Then we all walked north to the van. We took a little break at the house, then Old Drum and Chuck went back out for another few miles, totalling 17 for the day.
The second day we split up again and met in the middle, then Chuck and Old Drum decided to head up to walk the 7-mile bridge. When they got to the north end, there was trail angel extraordinaire, Gordon Smith, who has supported long distance hikers before and who we heard about last year in California. Gordon is an interesting character...at least 80 years old, checked himself out of a nursing home so he could keep on living. Can't do enough for the hikers. He found the guys and had a chair and drinks ready for them. He offered to help them as they continue on the Florida Trail. Day 2 the guys did another 17 miles.
Day 3 I had to return home to work. The guys, in spite of worsening blisters (Old Drum) and sore muscles (both guys), hiked 13 miles. Day 4 they were quite proud of making it 20 miles. They spent the first 3 nights at the house, then the 4th night at a campground where they were able to get a site for $5.
Chuck does painting and construction when he isn't hiking. Old Drum is retired. I am an accountant. Many people ask how Chuck and I can hike every year. No, we are not independently wealthy. We live very simply, in a 32 foot travel trailer parked at the home of some good friends. We have very few bills, so what we earn while we're home pays for living expenses as well as hiking expenses. This year may be a challenge since we're hiking for about a year. If we need to, and if the opportunity arises, we may take a break and work someplace along the trail for a little while.
We have been so blessed already on this hike, by the provision of a house, a good friend to hike alongside Chuck to keep him company, Gordon the trail angel, and you, Dick, offering help when we get up in your area. We also received help from our favorite outfitter, Travel Country Outdoors in Orlando, in the way of advice and also some good discounts. We're excited to see what else God will do for us anad through us as we hike. We consider our long distance hikes a ministry, but we are very low key about that. We are Christians (Southern Baptist) and we love to talk about our faith but we never push it on anyone. We love to help other hikers whenever we can. And we make it a goal to encourage people to get out and hike. Last year on the PCT we provided hiker support with our van, and it was
extremely rewarding. Our church provide a little bit of support, and some of our friends and family do as well. But mostly we cover our expenses by working.
I plan to join Chuck at Springer Mtn. around Mar. 25 to hike north. We plan to join some other hiker friends there as well.
Tigger
| |
