Known on the trail as “Johawk,” local artist Joanne Renfro decided to leave her family and small business here in Lawrence last spring to fulfill one of her life’s ambitions—hiking from Georgia to Maine on the Appalachian Trail. Following the series of white blazes that marked the trail, she made new and lasting friends of all ages and explored all types of terrain.
The numbers Joanne cited about at her trek were impressive:
- 14 states
- 2,185 miles
- 15 miles per day, on average
- Backpack weighing 30 pounds
- 5 months and 5 days
- 318th finish for the season
The hike is sometimes referred to as “walking the spring,” since spring flowers and greenery are emerging as the hikers move from south to north along the trail. There was plenty of snow, fog, and rain, but also days of dazzling sunshine that revealed “the balds,” as the mountain tops above the tree line are called. In the north, views of mountain lakes and the call of loons punctuated the days.
The trails themselves included well-worn dirt paths, boardwalks, river fjords, and rock crevices called a “gap” in the south and a “notch” in the northern states. Wildlife was plentiful—including the bear that made a visit to Joanne’s tent area one night.
The trail is supported and maintained by volunteers all along the way. “Trail angels” leave “trail magic” for hikers—supplies of food, candy, and cool drinks hung from trees or a handwritten invitation to come off the trail for pizza and beer at the end of the day. Joanne told of boxes where you could swap gear with other hikers who had left things they didn’t need. Rides into town always seemed to appear when she needed one.
Only 25% of the people who begin this hike complete the entire Appalachian Trail. Joanne Renfro is proud to be among them!
If you would like so see some of Joanne’s art check out her Facebook page or at LawrenceIsCool.com
