by Mary Parker Draper, Extension Agent – Smith County
Walk Across Tennessee (WAT) is a program that persuades and motivates individuals of all ages to make the most important change…to get started exercising. However, WAT is not just a program for beginners. As we are three-fourths of the way through our 2020 challenge, we would like to highlight an experienced hiker, Randy Wakefield, who is hiking across Tennessee!
Randy is on the Prevention Pals team for this year’s challenge. Randy is from Smith County, where he practiced law for 35 years. He is a member of Carthage United Methodist Church. He and his wife, Mary Leslie, have three children: Anne Leslie, Will, and Lucas, and one grandchild, Maddux. Randy started doing more serious running and hiking about 15 years ago. With the help of Randy’s daughter, Anne Leslie, we were able to ask Randy a few questions about his journey.
UT Ext: What motivated you to start your journey across Tennessee?
RW: I was motivated to hike Highway 70 because of the park shut downs. I’ve been hiking along the Appalachian Trail (AT) the last few summers. Its 2,200 miles long, and I only have about 800 left. I’d love to be finishing that right now, but with parks, shelters, and the support systems you need to be safe all closed, it’s not safe. I was inspired to hike Hwy 70 by some of the famous hikers that I keep up with. Since they also couldn’t do their planned hikes, they did something very cool. They started hiking and mapping out routes through their cities, like a sightseeing hike. I grew up traveling up and down Highway 70 and thought that could work for me. I grew up in Knoxville and had family in Monterey. We used to travel that road all the time before Interstate 40 opened. Highway 70 is scenic, historic, and there’s plenty of food and rest stops along the way. Also, it is hard to get lost when you stay on one road!
UT Ext: How did you train for your journey?
RW: I trained by hiking all around Smith County. I actually had a couple surgeries (toe and knee) to get me back in shape for the Appalachian Trail (AT) this summer, so I needed to start out walking. My wife and I would go to the Rails to Trails or Crump Paris and walk in the evenings. Then, I gradually started carrying a pack and looking for tougher terrain. When I really needed a challenge, I’d go to Pleasant Shade and hike to Macon County. I knew in the end, I’d be legged up for the AT or for this hike across Tennessee. Social distancing wasn’t hard for me to do while walking 20 miles a day. With my job on hold and baseball season canceled, I had nothing but time to train.
UT Ext: How has walking or hiking benefited you?
RW: Hiking gives me something to do. I’ve had many hobbies through the years, but I like the ones best that keep me fit.
UT Ext: What advice do you have for beginners?
RW: For beginning hikers, it’s very important to know your limits and always have your routes planned out. You need to know where shelters are and where to get help. Always have food rationed or know where you can get it, as well as, water. Learn how to treat, carry, and ration water. I’ve learned a lot from my mistakes along the way.
UT Ext: Where can we follow your journey?
RW: When I first started on the AT, my daughter, Anne Leslie Hunley, started keeping up with me and posting about my journey. I would send her photos with landmarks each night when on the trail and tell when I should be at the next stopping point. For this hike across Tennessee, it’s been easier because I always have cell service. She put Life360 on my phone and knows where I am and how far I’ve traveled each day. She also put a sign with a hashtag on my back for this journey. If you look up #randyhikestn on Facebook or Instagram, you can follow the trip.
For more information on Smith County’s WAT program, contact Mary Parker Draper at the extension office at 615-735-2900.
Check out this week’s “Food for Thought” recipe for Dump Cake! This week’s recipe was submitted by Wendy Drumm, Riddleton FCE Club.
Dump Cake
1 large can cherry pie filling
1 can large can crushed pineapple
1 box yellow cake mix
2 sticks butter
Preheat oven to 325°. Spray Pam cooking oil on bottom of pan then spread cherry pie filling on bottom. Spread crushed pineapple (do not drain) over cherry pie filling. Sprinkle dry cake mix evenly over fruit. Melt 1 stick butter and pour over making sure to cover dry mix then cut other stick into slices and spread evenly over top of cake. Bake for 40 minutes or until golden brown and bubbling. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top……enjoy!
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