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Followup at Cape Henlopen - May 27, 2021Stacey Waring and Gomer Pyles celebrated the 40th anniversary of the ending of HikaNation by visiting Cape Henlopen and the Atlantic Ocean as mentioned in The Washington Post article written by Stacey. Included below are photos and some narrative covering the event, present and past.  (Click on photos for larger versions.) |
Stacey and Gomer - Cape Henlopen State Park - May 27, 2021
40th Anniversary of HikaNation's conclusion
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| Photos and text are from Stacey: Gomer and I spent an amazing day at Cape Henlopen today, retracing the steps of the end of the hike and sharing those with some of the local park rangers and a reporter, Tim Furlong of NBC10 Delaware Bureau from NBC in Philly. Chazz Salkin, the HikaNation Delaware Coordinator/Pathfinder, met us in Lewes for lunch and filled us in on some of the organizational aspects of the hike's end in 1981. Then we headed to Cape Henlopen State Park, where we left the parking lot at 2 pm, as before, and walked with the rangers and Chazz about 1/2 mile to the beach, through the same beach house from 1981. Unlike forty years ago, the beach was filled with sunbathers and swimmers! But we found a place to plant our feet and then eventually jumped in, just as everyone did in 1981.....Stacey |
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After folks left, Gomer and I went over to see the American Discovery Trail trailhead and found a nice spot on this beautiful sunny day to share some champagne and reminisce. Being there today was a wonderful way to remember everyone, including all of you and those hikers who are no longer with us. It's hard to believe 40 years have passed. We walk a little more slowly perhaps but are hikers forever!.....Stacey |
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The reporter, Tim Furlong of NBC10 Delaware Bureau, was a great guy who was truly interested in the story and took a lot of video, which he condensed for the newscast in Philly tonight. He also spent time talking with John Olmsted's son Alden last night and incorporated some of John Olmsted's hike videos, which was very cool. I'm including his piece below: |
Two People Who Hiked Across America Celebrate 40th Anniversary of Trip
"On May 27, 1981, a group of over 80 people hiked from San Francisco to Delaware
in a hike across America. NBC10 reporter Tim Furlong met with two of those hikers
on a joyous occasion with many memories and stories to tell." |
This anniversary has been a beautiful experience in every way. It was a very emotional moment to jump into the ocean just as we did 40 years ago. I gave a lot of thought to the 25+ hikers who have passed away since 1981 and the many who could not join us in person, and felt blessed to be able to be there with my friend Gomer. I will be forever grateful I had this wonderful life experience 40 years ago.....Stacey |
The American Discovery Trail Trailhead
Cape Henlopen State Park, Delaware - May 2021
(photos from American Discovery Trail Facebook - Terry Schuchart) |
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HikaNation finale, 40 years ago
Cape Henlopen State Park - May 27, 1981
(photos from William Ewart) |
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