Appalachian Trail Chaplain Jack Layfield, known on the trail as “Chappy Jack,” will share the adventures and inspiration he has found hiking the Appalachian Trail at the Jessie Peterman Memorial Library in Floyd on Monday, May 16, at 5:30 p.m. and at the Blacksburg Library on Tuesday, May 17, at 6:00 p.m.
For more than 30 years, Layfield dreamed of hiking the entire Appalachian Trail. At the age of 68, he was an out-of-shape, soon-to-be-retired mental health counselor with a longing for an adventure. A chance encounter with the Appalachian Trail Chaplaincy of the Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church opened a door to a new life of service and a chance to fulfill his lifelong dream.
Layfield walked the entirety of the Appalachian Trail from March 4, 2019, to Sept.22, 2019, as the 2019 Chaplain. In 202, he wrote and published “On the Trail with Chappy Jack – Devotions for the Path You’re On,” which chronicles his journey through the famous footpath.
These events are free and open to the public. Books will be available for purchase and signing at both events.
