Well, you don't have to, of course -
...but for the first time, my hubby Skipper and I held a hiker picnic up in the Shenandoahs today - had 18 hikers show and Wb friend Lemni skate and son, and it was an incredible experience for us. We had two guys hitch down the drive just to get to the picnic, met guys from New Brunswick and New Zealand, and even a couple who came on the trail because an apartment fire destroyed all they had but for their hiking gear in storage. I can't begin to tell you what a time it was for us hearing stories of surviving blizzards and daily rain but also sharing laughter and just plain old good times. And we got to share about us as well. The hiker community is great and we're so grateful to be a part of it all.