On June 15, 2008 I travelled to Damascus, Virginia to meet a group of women to go on a 7 day Backpacking trip booked with Adventures in Good Company. The trip was an introduction to lightweight backpacking. We hiked the Appalachian Trail from Fox Creek to Va. 601. The group consisted of two guides, Jan trailname Rerun from Mi,and Leigh trailname Almanac from Ga, and an assistant guide, Catherine trailname Songbird from Mi. In addition to our guides there were 10 women: Judy from Tn, trailname Commando, Ellen from Tn, trailname Buckaroo, Susan trailname Twinkle Toes from Tn, Karen trailname Doc from Oh, Patti trailname Beacon from Oh, Nancy trail name Kool Granny from Ga, Glenda trailname Sheriff Cougar from NC, Aseeyah trailname Bad Boy from Va, Katy trailname Twigs from Mn, Victoria trailname Guardian from Va. These are photos taken from the beginning of our journey all the way to the end. We were given indepth instruction on everything we needed to know about backpacking, from how to setup a tent, the different types of tents, methods for purifying water, stoves and cooking methods, appropriate clothing for backpacking, what to take into the woods, how to pack it, what to leave behind, safety, sanitation, hydration, knots, setting up tarps, bear bagging, adjusting your pack, foot care, trail ettiquite and a multitude of skills to equip you for venturing into the outdoors on your own. This was the greatest adventure I have ever been on. I made total strangers lifetime friends. I have never laughed so much for so long. I actually got tired of laughing! From our Guides to my fellow participants it was a first class act and I wouldn't change a thing if I could do it all again. Fellow Backpackers, thanks for the memories and I love you.

Glenda, Sheriff Cougar

Photos taken with Sony Cybershot DSC-H50 15X zoom 9.1 mp