The Sayner-St. Germain Fish and Wildlife Club will host a presentation by the Small family of St. Germain on Wednesday, June 18, at 7 p.m. at the St. Germain Community Center.
The family’s presentation, “Small Steps: Our Appalachian Trail Journey,” will highlight how Anne, Scott, and their 10-year-old son Murray accomplished hiking the entire 2,197.4 mile Appalachian Trail from mid-March through early September in 2024.
After preparing for their trek with walks and hikes around St. Germain, the family began their journey on Springer Mountain in Georgia on March 15. Accompanied by their dog, Meteor, they set off on a five-month adventure through 14 states, completing the trail at Mount Katahdin in Maine in early September.
Averaging 15 to 20 miles per day and carrying their own packs with food and gear, the Smalls said they embraced life on the trail and enjoyed meeting fellow hikers and sharing stories about life in northern Wisconsin.
The family will share what trail life was like, following spring northward, experiencing the sights, sounds, smells, routines, and challenges, as well as the beauty they encountered along the way.
They journeyed through three seasons, enduring cold and snow in the Smoky Mountains during early spring, sweltering heat in West Virginia’s Harper’s Ferry in summer, and cooler evenings in Vermont as fall approached.
Murray said his favorite moments included spotting wild ponies in the Grayson Highlands, swimming in waterfalls, and making the final climb up Mount Katahdin.
Anne documented their journey with a journal and photos, and Wildlife Club members enjoyed monthly real-time updates throughout the trek, as Anne shared snapshots and stories from the trail.
Anne has served for many years on the board of the Sayner-St. Germain Fish and Wildlife Club, and she writes and edits the club’s monthly online newsletter. She also chairs the St. Germain Non-Motorized Trails Committee and coordinates a local mushroom club.
The presentation is free and open to the public. All ages are welcome. The program will last about an hour, with time for questions at the end.
The Wildlife Club hosts presentations on the third Wednesday of each month. July’s program will feature Bart Kotarba discussing monarch butterflies. Author John Bates is scheduled for August, followed by Moosewatch research in Isle Royale with Cindy Wills in September, and a talk on bats in Wisconsin with Licia Johnson in October.
The St. Germain Community Center is located at 545 S. Highway 155. The presentation will take place in room six.
For more information, contact Kelly McGill at 715-542-1614.
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