While I have been MIA, and am plugging in to put in a quick “ketchup” post, David and Koreen have been continuing their long days hiking away through the AT (Appalachian Trail). Here is their most recent video update from 4 days ago.
These two have been hiking in and out between Connecticut and New York and are soon on their way to Massachusetts.
I continue to be soo proud of them and their tenacity.
A loving shout out to Treadmill, who as Koreen mentions in her video, has been one of their longer term Tramily members and who has taken a break in her journey through the AT due to some medical set backs. We hope to hear more stories about her recovery and return to the trail as soon as she is safely able.
As always, take advantage of the opportunity to support Koreen and David in their fight against MS by donating here.
Be someone’s strength. Be someone’s inspiration. Be someone’s reason, to never give up. #foxburrowcrushms
Thank You to everyone who is taking the time to send notes to cheer Koreen and David on in their efforts to find a cure to end MS. I know they love to hear and feel the support, so keep the messages coming. They are getting every single one. I will continue to collect and post the ones that aren’t linked directly to the blog so that they will have them here to reminisce when they reflect back on their stories. Feel free to email them directly, email them through the blog, or post directly in the blog comments. All avenues are welcome and encouraged.
Also, and if you should feel so inclined, sharing their posts or blogs through FB and/or other social media sites is another great way to support them. So don’t be shy, while these two are probably two of the most humble people I know, they have made it their goal to be as LOUD and all encompassing when it comes to their mission to support the MS Society in finding a cure to MS. And as you know, just getting the message out about how important the MS Society’s cause is, is a huge step in the right direction. Every share is another opportunity to connect to someone who may be interested in contributing their time, donations, or other efforts toward this amazing cause. So share away my friends! Share away.
“Way to go Koreen and David! You make slinging mud look good! Hang in there — and no more handling snakes.”
Doré and Kevin – May 30th, 2019
” David and Koreen,
I CANT WAIT to hear you sing TOUGH ENOUGH on the top of Mt Katahdin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love you! “
Thom Wyatt – May 29th, 2019
“So jealous of the adventure you are tackling! Stay strong and stay smart!!”
Kristin Watt – May 29th, 2019
“Hey David and Koreen!
Been following your blog. I am SOOOO exhausted watching you walk!!
What an adventure! I hope you are both doing well.
I received your TOUGH ENOUGH video! Who would have thought that little musical hook could have lasted all these years? (And UPS didn’t think it was memorable!)….
What an adventure! I hope you are both doing well.
Journey on! (the trail, not the band)”
Thom Wyatt – May 23rd, 2019
“David, Our prayers are with you, Koreen and the rest of the MS Crew!”
Uncle Jeff and Aunt Jane – April 30th, 2019
“Love it! Have a great hike! I section hiked VT and MA years ago – there’s a reason they call it the Green Tunnel!”
Chris Lennert – April 29th, 2019
“Best wishes for a successful journey. Do you have a rough idea of when you might be reaching Ma/NH area. We would love to try and meet up with when you are in the area.”
Rick and Kathy Savage – April 22nd, 2019
“We wish you both the best of luck, you are and will continue to be in our prayers, especially you David in keeping up with Koreen. We were reading your blog on why you do this, not only to raise awareness you do it because you love one another and you stand with and by each other. XO.”
Koreen and David have officially left Pennsylvania!
*see editing note at end of blog*
After 229.3 miles of jagged, knee busting PA trail, Rabbit and Greyhound have conquered their very first hike through an entire state on the AT.
Man.
What a GREAT and probably exhausting feeling.
They did take a couple breaks or “zero” mile days along the way due to weather, to recoup, or to just plain catch up on laundry. But they are back at it again and in full gear as they start the next leg of their journey into New Jersey. And for those of you keeping track, and who also put in a vote for how long it would take them to cross one of the longest states of the Appalachian Trail … their Personal Best Record (and probably life long record if David has anything to do with it) is a whopping 26 days! Not too shabby for a grumpy old man and one super motivated rockstar with a drop foot that won’t hold her back!
BUuuuuuuut … I don’t think David could be any happier about leaving! Listen again in the video below, where David graces us with his first personal recording (accepting petitions for more), and also declares his love of the rocky terrain of PA. I think he will probably vacation there often.
This portion of the hike consists of only 72.4 miles, and will probably feel like a breeze (as we move hotter into summer?) compared to the rocky, muddy, and sometimes treacherous terrain they just completed.
But while they may be glad to be out of PA, “elevation changes in NJ are still considered generally moderate and vary from relatively flat and gentle to short, steep, rocky pitches. Other sections cross bogs and wetlands, including a wildlife sanctuary that features a wide spectrum of bird species”. Which will be such a nice change from the rattle snakes … although I read they are now supposed to keep their eyes out for bears, not to mention the restriction on campfires … throughout the entire 72 miles of the state.
Small publishing error:
While I was soo excited to announce the end of their Pennsylvania hike, I miss communicated with Dave and announced their completion a tad early in my last post. I have edited the previous post to remove the error, but for those of you who celebrated early with me, feel free to do another little dance party at your desk now in good form of our secondary celebration.
In the video from Dave 2 days ago (that I reposted above), I deduced they would be crossing the PA border in “9 miles”. Which they didn’t. I can never totally understand this man. 😉 They in turn, had that much more to complete after they reached their camp site that night. Which is clarified in the next video (below) from Koreen. They also took a “zero” day between to gather more supplies and only just stepped over they PA border into NJ earlier today! And I quote directly from Koreen,
“Never thought I’d say this but, Yay! New Jersey!”
– Rabbit
So , very sorry for the 3rd party mistake. But now we are “back on track”. And either way, they are completely rocking this hike and I am loving being able to see where they are and how they are doing!
As always, take advantage of the opportunity to support Koreen and David in their fight against MS by donating here.
I’ve said it before. But I’ll say it again. These two are just straight amazing!
Today marks 30 days since their trails began and Koreen and David have;
traveled through 3 states
walked over 200 miles
hiked over 67 hours
elevated 1483 feet
fallen 5 times
worked through 1 pair of hiking boots, each
undergone 1 steroid shot to the knee for tendinitis
wrangled snakes
traversed rocks
sloshed through countless soggy rain filled steps
blown past the infamous Lehigh Gap
and spent 27 nights under the stars (or clouds, and thunder, and lightning).
zoom in, they’re there, in the distance, through the fog …
All of this in the name of MS.
In the hope that their influence, their efforts, and your contributions, will one day assist in this communities overwhelming desire to find a cure to Multiple Sclerosis.
As always, take advantage of the opportunity to support Koreen and David in their fight against MS by donating here.
“Thank you to the Tracy and Maggie who drove 1 and 1/2 hours to treat us to a Memorial Day weekend of recouping with good food, beer, time to catch up on laundry and an opportunity for a well needed rest. They were true Trail Angels.”
Some of you may have been wondering about the seemingly random names Koreen has been throwing out during her videos such as; Treadmill, Chop, Clingman, Cap, No Service, Pause-y, Volcan, and Boo-Boo Boy. Well, there’s a story behind each name (some I’m more interested in learning then others …). Some belong to those that have become apart of what Dave and Koreen consider “Tramily” or Trail Family. Others who will cameo shortly in Koreen’s vlogs (video logs) and pass on in their own journey of the AT (Appalachian Trail) hike. Either way, each name we hear is unique to the individual hikers these two come across along the way and who are also completing the thru hike of the AT.
Left to Right: Greyhound, Rabbit, Cap, Treadmill, and Clingman (assumedly Chop is behind the camera)
But the concept of trail names is not specific to the AT. Many long distance hikers, such as those exploring their way through the PCT (Pacific Coast Trail), also choose to adopt a trail name rather than using their given first names.
So many people are hiking that it is easier to keep people straight if they are called by a nickname specific to them. As you can guess, there are bound to be a lot of Chris’s, John’s, Amber’s, and Katie’s, so trail names are a unique and helpful way for hikers to connect in a fun way.
The idea is that you choose a name that you can identify with, or that is special to you. It could be the city you hale from, a character (fictional or not) that you like, or as simple as your favorite food that you will be craving during the entire dehydrated food hike. Sometimes you can’t commit right away, and trail names are “discovered” along the way. Do you remember Buckles, mentioned a few videos back? Seems she had a some trouble with her pack along the trail and has been coined with “Buckles” ever since.
David, the ever clever man that he is, chose Rabbit for Koreen and Greyhound for himself, as a symbolic metaphor between their life and the race track, where the greyhound is ever chasing after the rabbit. I guess one could say life is one big race? And if you have to chase tail, David certainly chose a pretty damn cute one.
In Rabbit’s next trail update below, you’ll have the chance hear the story of why Greyhound may be adopting his own new trail name … “Snake Wrangler”!?
Rattle Snake Encounter Saturday, May 18th
Black Snake on the Trail
Personally, I suggested “Big Foot”, because he’s so elusive and rarely seen on video. Almost as if he wasn’t there … but this video proves he’s working his happy little butt off right along with Rabbit, who to be fair, is almost always ahead of him.
Either way, keep it up, Greyhound, Bigfoot, or Snake Wrangler. Whichever it is, we appreciate your efforts and hope you and everyone on the trail stay safe!
As always, take advantage of the opportunity to support Koreen and David in their fight against MS by donating here.
We see her power through as a shining example proving that there is hope to all those suffering from M.S.. And since 2007 Koreen has been cycling and hiking her way down this path of life, with the deck sometimes stacked against her, to show that there are so many ways to crush the often overpowering effects of this debilitating disease.
Yet you may not know, that Koreen not only battles MS, but that in the Spring of 2017 Koreen was also diagnosed with breast cancer. It doesn’t seem quite fare that anyone should have to endure two such physically and emotionally crippling diagnoses as this. Yet she underwent surgery and radiation, and was back on her bike, with Dave by her side, to work toward completing their M.S. biking mission within just 2 short weeks. 2 years have passed since she was declared cancer free (!!!) and Dave will attest to that, “It will take more than MS and cancer to turn that smile upside down.” He is her biggest advocate and most stubborn supporter. From his mouth to your ears he will admit that, “She is the toughest person I know.”
Listen now to her touching story of discovering and coping with the diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis.
“I was just starting graduate school at The Ohio State University when David and I got engaged. I was working on my Master of Science in Pathology and working full time for the OSU Dept of Neurology when one day I woke up with flu-like symptoms and a strange sensation on my left side. It continued to get worse. I mentioned the symptoms to a Neurologist that I worked with and right away he got me in for an MRI. After a few weeks of testing and worsening symptoms the diagnosis of MS was conclusive. I think even after the oral steroid treatment and some of the symptoms started to subside, I was quite depressed.
I felt embarrassed about my diagnosis. Like I was damaged goods. I wanted to keep it a secret and not tell anyone.
Fast forward several years and we moved to Alaska. We were happy and I thought I was doing well managing the occasional MS symptom that would come up. When I was diagnosed there were no FDA-approved drug therapies to treat MS. When I had a flare up they would treat me with IV steroids. Luckily I didn’t have many flare ups. Today there are over 15 FDA-approved drug therapies for MS. One day I had a bike accident. Everything seemed to spiral out of control. I shattered my collarbone and the trauma and subsequent surgery threw me into a nasty flare up.
That’s when I really understood just how awful this disease could be.
I lost my speech, fine motor skills, I walked with a limp and was experiencing cognitive issues. As I began to recover from these symptoms I realized how lucky I was.
I was recovering.
I did not have the progressive form of the disease. I could recover where many people living with MS could not. David and I agreed it was time to up the ante on sharing our story and raising funds for a cure. That is when we decided to ride a Bike MS event in every state.
That was 12 years ago.
This year as we hike 2200 miles of the AT I am still reminded of how lucky I am. I have drop foot so my left foot drags when fatigued. I have a brace that will help me on the trail. I have heat sensitivity that can affect me, bringing on symptoms like blurred vision, headaches, weakness and fatigue when I least expect it. I will be carrying about 2 pounds of medication and supplements. And because of my ongoing treatment for MS, I am immune suppressed, leaving me extra vulnerable to insect bites and illnesses along the way. So why do I do it? Because I can and I am so much more fortunate that many others living with this horrible disease.”
Fox and Burrow Journey to End MS 