https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/hungry-mother

Greenhaven Cabin in the SW Virginia Mountains, 36. 88679° N, 81. 52768° W, Marion, VA (2025)

12/05/2024

fya🔥

11/22/2024

❄️❄️❄️

10/29/2024

09/30/2024

Smyth County VA donations

If you are in need in the Smyth County area, here is some information below:

09/26/2024

Good to know!

09/26/2024

Wow! Talk about perseverance!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/tLYnv9FkjnmRCStK/?mibextid=WC7FNe

Congratulations to Tara Dower for becoming the fastest person in history to complete the Appalachian Trail! The 31-year-old from Virginia completed the 2,168 mile (3,489 km) backcountry trail in 40 days, 18 hours, and five minutes, a distance usually covered by an A.T. thru-hiker in five to seven months.

To set the record, Dower ran and hiked an average of 54 miles each day on the often rocky and steep trail, which includes a total vertical gain of 465,000 feet as it runs through fourteen states. She started her daily runs at 3:30 am and continued for approximately 17 hours with several short breaks for meals and 90-second "dirt naps."

Dower used her record-setting run to raise money for Girls on the Run, saying that she hopes her feat will inspire girls and women. “I hope more women get out there,” she said. “It’s not about beating men, it’s about finding our true potential. And, you know, if you beat the men, that’s an extra bonus.” When she reached the trail's end on Saturday night, the exhausted but jubilant Dower fell to her knees and put her hands on the bronze plaque that reads, “A footpath for those who seek fellowship with the wilderness.”

To support her Girls on the Run fundraiser, visit https://support.girlsontherun.org/fundraiser/5607331

For a fantastic book about the first woman to ever hike the entire Appalachian Trail -- at the age of 67 -- we highly recommend "Grandma Gatewood's Walk" at https://www.amightygirl.com/grandma-gatewood-s-walk

For young readers, there are two inspiring picture books about Grandma Gatewood's story, both for ages 5 to 9: "Grandma Gatewood Hikes the Appalachian Trail" (https://www.amightygirl.com/grandma-gatewood-hikes-the-appalachian-trail) and "When Grandma Gatewood Took a Hike" (https://www.amightygirl.com/when-grandma-gatewood-took-a-hike)

For many books for young readers about the wonders of outdoor discovery, visit our blog post, "Explore Your World: 25 Mighty Girl Books About Outdoor Discovery," at https://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=11570

For many girl-empowering books for children and teens about the importance of determination, visit our "Perseverance" book section at http://amgrl.co/1hNzWVS

Image credit: Tara Dower