Local Retired Teacher Completes Appalachian Trail

It took 22 years but Phyllis Lewis did it.  She started slowly in 1989 hiking the Appalachian Trail in sections. At first hiking for a week, then 10 days, 2 weeks, and for the last four years a month, one step at a time 2160 miles. On this June 12th, 2011 she completed the Appalachian Trail  (known as the AT).  It  goes from MT. Katahdin, Maine to Spring Mountain in Georgia. 

The Vermont Long Trail starts at the Canadian broader between the towns of East Richford and North Troy and joins the AT near Killington, Vermont.  It comes close to Manchester near Bromley Mountain.  Phyllis and hiking partner Carol Wehner enjoyed  these mountains for 18 years,  the last 4 years the Silver Fox (trail name ) had to go it alone. Each year she would meet up with fellow hikers who were following similar dreams.  Phyllis shared her home here in Manchester as stop overs for these hikers.  Her stories about the trail are very funny and colorful reflecting the unbreakable bond between hikers.

Phyllis has a BS degree from Plymouth State College, New Hampshire. and her MA from Castleton College in Vt.  She taught physical education and coached field hockey for 18 years, then she joined the guidance department for 8 years.  A total of 26 years in our great elementary school Manchester Elementary Middle School (MEMS).

As if  that wasn’t enough Phyllis also has traveled the Napali coastal trail in Kauai, Hawaii with Carol Wehner, and hiked Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa as well as the Grand Tetons in Moose, Wyoming.

With her other hand she raised Gretchen Lewis-Webster, Richard Lewis and Drew Lewis.  Phyllis's children, friends, acquaintances, former students and trail buddies know of her ambition and determination and are not surprised by her accomplishments.