[at-l] Tank and Willow's Trek

[ATtrailhiker at wmconnect.com (ATtrailhiker@wmconnect.com)]

Colorado Couple Hike and Bike Across Country to Fight Hunger



NAMC Worldwide Newsroom/ ? LONGMONT, COLORADO, Feb 24, 2005 ? A Colorado 
couple is planning a long-distance hike and bike tour to raise money to ease 
hunger across the United States. Starting on March 23, their 5- month trek will 
take them through 15 states and 2 countries, both on foot and on bicycle.

Kurt Siefken and JoAnne Smart, both of Longmont, Colorado, will begin their 
journey by hiking the first 500 miles of the Appalachian Trail. Starting at 
Springer Mountain in Georgia, they will hike for seven weeks, arriving at the 
annual Trail Days festival in Damascus, Virginia on May 13th. The next leg of 
their trek will begin in Portland, Oregon, where they will embark on a 4000-mile 
cycling tour along the northern United States and southern Canada. They will 
complete their hike and bike tour at the Atlantic Ocean in Portland, Maine. 

Throughout their adventure they will be accepting donations to fight hunger 
on behalf of America?s Second Harvest. They will be documenting their travel 
tales and photos, as well as taking donations on their website: <A HREF="http://www.mercuryworm.com./";>
www.mercuryworm.com.</A>

After looking at many non-profit organizations, Kurt and JoAnne decided to 
partner with America?s Second Harvest because of the basic necessities of food 
that so many Americans are missing. America?s Second Harvest is the nation?s 
largest domestic hunger-relief organization with a network of more than 200 
regional food banks. The food banks annually provide emergency assistance to over 
23 million hungry Americans. Among those served by America?s Second Harvest, 
nearly 40% are children, and 10% are elderly. 

Kurt and JoAnne, better known in hiking communities with the nicknames of 
?Tank? and ?Willow?, met while hiking the entire Appalachian Trail in 2003. 
After their hike, they worked for 16 months until they could afford another 
long-distance adventure. They thought this would be an excellent opportunity to 
raise some money for an important and deserving cause. 

For additional information, please visit <A HREF="http://www.mercuryworm.com./";>www.mercuryworm.com.</A>
Contact:
Kurt Siefken
303-516-0857?114