Hey all,
I’m doing NOBO, starting 4/20. My wife would like to meet up with my three boys, 19, 15, and 13 at some point during the summer. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions? And no, the reunion will not be them joining me to hike! My wife asked me last night,“Is the trail anywhere near the beach?” I just shook my head.
Thanks
Chernobyl
_Chernobyl_ While the trail does not pass oceanside, it does follow along the Blue Ridge Parkway for several miles. That might be a good meeting spot as there are several towns along this section and the Shenandoahs are on the northern end.
_Marti /Swannee_ Almost every trail town you will come to would be boring for a family vacation type place. 2 places that she should give a thought to are New York City and Washington DC. Both are great fun and very easy for you and her. It will be in Mid to late July. Now if that's too busy or expensive and a beach is in the picture then you might want to consider the Jersey Shore. You could get there pretty fast on mass transit from a number of places along the trail. So if you made advance reservations at the beach in NJ or Long Island you would have the option of going off trail from a variety of places from Harpers Ferry to NY.
_Francis_ Washington was my initial thought, however spending a weekend in the concrete jungle doesn't exactly sound like the relaxing break from the trail I had in mind. I'll be coming off the trail for a long weekend 1st weekend of Aug. to go out to the Cape for PMC weekend. That might have to be enough beach time for the Mrs. Thanks for the input guys. Where and when we go will surely be in my journal down the road.
_Chernobyl_ I recall that there is a place where some people choose to "aqua blaze" by taking some time canoeing or rafting down some river. This sounds like a good place for a day or three with the boys. I forget where it is, but you can look it up. Spend time on the river!
–Elliot
_Elliot Harvey_ I looked one of them up. How about the "delaware water gap" at the delaware river. It's on the trail, there are hotels, and the canoeing is supposed to be fun.
_Elliot Harvey_ Lots of choices. Asheville is a hip town. Hot Springs and Damascus are hiker towns and your family will get an idea of what the 'vibe' is like on the AT. Waynesboro has the Shenandoah river for rafting and even an aqua blaze. James river for more rafting. Blue Ridge Parkway & Skyline Drive. Harper's Ferry would be a great town to meet with the 1800's preservation, good war story, AT center, halfway point and direct train to DC. Hanover NH is a fun college town. Crawford Notch and N.Conway in NH. Bennington is an absolutely fantastic Vermont town. Rangeley for the taste of Maine. Monson right before the 100 mile wilderness.
_Just Another Hiker_