by Adda Quinn
In the last month’s Voice, Neil Panton interviewed Jane Sullivan about her upcoming great adventure walking, biking, and driving across the US to inspire, motivate and encourage others to live life to the fullest. A number of La Honda residents have volunteered to help her realize this dream.
JANE AND TIM
Tim and Jane Sullivan will be driving East in their rig, the Mary Joyce, across country the end of May, following portions of the American Discovery Trail (ADT) that she will be using on her trip returning West. Her trip starts in Delaware where local La Hondans Karin Bird and Will Johnson join her.
JANE AND KARIN, THE LA HONDETTES
Karin is a friend who wants to bike ride with Jane part of the journey and who undertook all of the planning for the first two states: Delaware and Maryland. You probably know these friendly ladies as the La Hondettes, who perform with our local bands.
WILL JOHNSON
Will Johnson is a local La Honda fixture frequently found grazing on bagels and coffee at the village market when he’s not knee deep in ranch chores or playing with his ham radios. He is one of the instigators of Jane’s decision to make her epic trip, along with Neil Panton. Both gentlemen said they would help her with logistics if she would make the trek. Will is the designated driver for both Delaware and Maryland.
Will Johnson and Adda Quinn were the planners for the next two states, West Virginia and Ohio. Mary Joyce will be driven across West Virginia by Jane’s brother Bill. Her nephew Reuben will accompany Jane on the trails in West Virginia. We want Jane to have as much company while on the trails as possible for safety sake. There are two or three states for which we still need hiker/bikers and drivers. We have potential driver volunteers for Ohio but nothing confirmed yet, and hoping to find some hiker/bikers for this scenic leg of the trip.
If you have not traveled much, you would be in for a treat if you can join Jane for portions of her odyssey. The planning has been a trip in and of itself. We are all learning so much about our country. It has really been an educational experience. Below follows some of the highlights Jane will be seeing in her first four states:
Delaware June 3-6, 2019
The journey begins after we rendezvous on June 3rd in Lewes Delaware, the farthest Eastern point of the American Discovery Trail. The following morning, Jane will walk about 15 miles to Milton, Delaware. Milton is an important ship building town first settled in 1675 by English colonists. As it turns out the local pub in Milton has Karaoke on Tuesdays so watch out Milton… the La Hondettes are coming to town. Day 3 is an 18 milewalk to Bridgeville, Delaware. That evening they will drive to Stevensville on Kent Island to stay at the home of acquaintances. Stevensville is another town of historical note with over 100 historical structures in the downtown area. The last day they will head into Washington DC to spend a couple days touring the nation’s capital.
Maryland June 7-14, 2019
After DC, Jane heads to the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, also known as the C&O Canal or the Grand Old Ditch. It operated from 1831 to 1924 along the Potomac River and runs about 185 miles to West Virginia. The canal served as the main form of transport in the area providing food, mail, building materials, booze… you name it, to the towns along the way. 74 locks were built to accommodate changes inelevation. The canal and towns along the way have a distinctly European character. Jane and Karin will be riding bikes along the path adjacent to the canal for about a week before they reach West Virginia.
West Virginia June 15-21, 2019
On the Allegheny Front, Jane will be in the Monongahela National Forest, 3500-4000’ where
snow might fall any day of the year. This segment is the highest elevation that the Discovery Trail will reach east of the Rockies. Here she will find out why West Virginia is called the Mountain State. Beautiful waterfalls, lakes, canyons, and forests to be explored. It also has Abe Lincoln’s mom’s homestead to visit!
They will then drive to Wolf Summit where they will bike the next 60 miles to Walker. The Discovery Trail follows the North Bend Rail-Trail, a National Recreation Trail through one mountain valley after another, with 10 tunnels and 37 trestles. Along the route are cottage industries of hand blown glass, old asphalt mines which produced material for many of Europe’s first paved roads, and nice parks. They drive to Parkersburg at the Ohio border for a side trip to the Blennerhasset Island Historical State Park to visit the mansion and to take a stern-wheeler river boat ride.
Ohio June 22-30, 2019
The Discovery Trail route is in the southern part of the state which has spectacular scenic attractions. In 1803, when Ohio was the first state to be carved out of the Northwest Territory, first settlers discovered that 95% of the land was covered in hardwood forest. Much of the area the Discovery Trail passes through is still heavily wooded. The Appalachian Plateau in eastern Ohio has narrow valleys, steep hills and many caves. The Hocking Hills State Park alone sounds like a 2-3 day stay for its activities and natural beauty. There are parks about every 30 miles on the route with lakes and hiking.
Heading south and west from there are numerous forest parks in the Little Smokey Mountains to be explored. The Discovery Trail will be driven the last leg to Cincinnati where the trail crosses into Indiana. The Indiana leg is being managed by La Hondans Bill Bishop and Trudy Schoneman from whom you will be hearing in the future, along with other La Honda volunteers for this project.
JANE SULLIVAN. AS HERSELF
If you want to be part of this great adventure, email [email protected]. Follow Jane on Instagram @JanesGoneAWOL; Facebook at JanesGoneAwol and YouTube: Jane Sullivan Janes Gone A.W.O.L.. Even if you are unable to join Jane on any part of the cross-country venture, we hope you will join us all August 31, 2019, on the very final leg of the trip when we will be hiking from Sears Ranch Road down into La Honda. Hold that date and let’s make it a big party in town! Enjoy being part of Jane’s epic odyssey!
Comments