Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis

Latest Episodes:

Episode #320 - Mighty Blue on the West Highland Way Apr 28, 2022

Show notes

This week's show is all about my recent "saunter" on the West Highland Way in Scotland. As many of you know, I'd never hiked before I moved to the US, and I certainly didn't know about this little gem in Scotland. I'd originally intended to couple a quicker hike on the WHW with a similarly fast walk on Hadrian's Wall Path. However, as you'll hear, fate intervened, and I had one of my most satisfying hikes.

I've also added a lot more pictures this week (corresponding with the day they were taken), because I didn't share many of them on Facebook or Instagram.

For those of you who are interested, my itinerary was as follows:

Day 1 - from Milngavie (Mile Zero) to Drymen Camping (Mile 11.0), an 11 mile day

Day 2 - from Drymen Camping (Mile 11.0) to Balmaha (Mile 19.2), an 8.2 mile day

Day 3 - from Balmaha (Mile 19.2) to Rowardennan (Mile 27.6), an 8.4 mile day

Day 4 - from Rowardennan (Mile 27.6) to Inverarnan (Mile 41.5), a 13.9 mile day

Day 5 - from Inverarnan (Mile 41.5) to Tyndrum (Mile 53.3), an 11.8 mile day

Day 6 - from Tyndrum (Mile 53.3) to The Bridge of Orchy (Mile 60.3), a 7 mile day

Day 7 - from The Bridge of Orchy (Mile 60.3) to Glencoe "Pods" (Mile 72.4), a 12.1 mile day

Day 8 - from Glencoe "Pods" (Mile 72.4) to Kinlochleven (Mile 81.3), an 8.9 mile day

Day 9 - from Kinlochleven (Mile 81.3) to Fort William (Mile 96.8), a 15.5 mile day.

If you prefer NOT to use PayPal, you can now support us via check by mailing it to Mighty Blue Publishing, PO Box 6161, Sun City Center, FL 35751. Any support is gratefully received.

If you'd like to take advantage of my book offer (all three of my printed hiking books–with a personal message and signed by me–for $31, including postage to the United States) send a check payable to Mighty Blue Publishing at the address just above.

Episode #319 - Mighty Blue Class of 2022 Apr 21, 2022

Show notes

Today, we catch up with ALL (available) members of the Mighty Blue Class of 2022. Having been away for more than five weeks, I've missed their starts–in many cases–and the suspension of their hikes–in a few cases.

One thing that is apparent from these conversations is that nobody's experience is like any other hiker's experience.

The conversations speak for themselves and, going forward, I want you all to know who we're following out there. Each of the interviews is time stamped to allow you to jump to your favorite.

1:50 - Dave Burge

15:52 - Chuck Hays

26:26 - Sarah Landis

36:57 - Hugh and Kerry Ickrath

52:30 - Daniel Whitesides

59:22 - Dom Tammaro

1:10:43 - Barry Hill - No pic

1:18:13 - Joanne Birditt - No pic

1:29:08 - Kera, Ryan, and Brittaney

If you prefer NOT to use PayPal, you can now support us via check by mailing it to Mighty Blue Publishing, PO Box 6161, Sun City Center, FL 35751. Any support is gratefully received.

Episode #318 - Traci Galyon (Reroute) Apr 14, 2022

Show notes

Our guest this week is Traci Galyon, or Reroute. Traci's evolution from irregular hiker to thru-hiker is interesting, in that it was her husband Don who was originally intending to hit the AT. Instead, Traci absorbed the information, found herself drawn in by the adventure, and eventually went alone on the trail.

She plans to hike the PCT this year, WITH her husband Don, so we'll look out for that story later in the year.

You can connect with Traci through Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/traci.marriedtodon, Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/thereluctanthiker72/, and on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjGW87doU9H8XxouyOB1iXw

Our final catch up with our Class of 2022 is with Sarah Fox. Sarah even discusses the possibility that she will leave her dog at home, depending upon how she perceives the trail to be.

If you prefer NOT to use PayPal, you can now support us via check by mailing it to Mighty Blue Publishing, PO Box 6161, Sun City Center, FL 35751. Any support is gratefully received.

If you'd like to take advantage of Steve's Trail Days book offer (all three of his printed hiking books for $31, including postage to the United States) send a check payable to Mighty Blue Publishing at the address just above.

Episode #317 - Ken and Allie Dravis (The Praise Team) Apr 07, 2022

Show notes

Today's guests were known as the Praise Team on the trail, with the purpose of "spreading cheer" on the trail.

As committed Christians, Ken and Allie Dravis saw their hike as an opportunity to encourage and learn about their fellow travelers, offering support and encouragement as they went along.

Ken wrote a book following their hike, and that is to be released shortly. When I get back from the UK, I'll let you all have the link.

Also today, Trumpet, or Dan Whitesides and his awesome dog, FrankE are getting ready to drive across country to Georgia and the beginning of their hike. They're doing a shakedown hike on the Bartram Trail first. I recorded Trumpet on March the 1st, so he'll be well on his way when you hear this.

If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com. If you prefer NOT to use PayPal, you can now support us via check by mailing it to Mighty Blue Publishing, PO Box 6161, Sun City Center, FL 35751. Any support is gratefully received.

Episode #316 - Ken Good (PTL) Mar 31, 2022

Show notes

Ken Good is today's guest. Ken took the name PTL (or Praise the Lord) on the Appalachian Trail. If you followed Ken's YouTube channel–Bestill on the Trail–you'll know exactly why!!

Ken is such a positive person, carrying and expressing his faith all the way to Katahdin, meeting people along the way who were happy to pray with him.

You can check out Bestill on the Trail at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU6UNNbl5GM2KoTeOU-nhAQ.

Our Mighty Blue Class of 2022 members this week are Kera, Ryan, and Brittaney. All three are looking forward to their impending trip, with a little apprehension thrown in for good measure!

If you prefer NOT to use PayPal, you can now support us via check by mailing it to Mighty Blue Publishing, PO Box 6161, Sun City Center, FL 35751. Any support is gratefully received.

Episode #315 - J. Robert Harris (JR) Mar 24, 2022

Show notes

We have a wonderful story on the show today. J Robert Harris grew up in New York during the 1960s. His folks realized that the New York streets were no place for a young black man. JR was sent to the Catskills to join the Boy Scouts. The lessons he learned, and the things he saw gave him a new purpose in life to pursue knowledge and peace in the outdoors.

Following a caribou migration, or turning up at an Inuit settlement, JR's natural curiosity has led him to many of the paths less travelled and he shares his wisdom and experience with Steve.

His book, Way Out There: Adventures of a Wilderness Trekker, explores these themes. You can get it on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07658GMBW/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0

You can also follow JR on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/jrobert.harris.7, on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/jrinthewilderness/ or on his website at https://www.jrinthewilderness.com/

We also caught up with Dom Tamarro, an unabashedly excited man who is soooo ready for his upcoming hike!!

If you prefer NOT to use PayPal, you can now support us via check by mailing it to Mighty Blue Publishing, PO Box 6161, Sun City Center, FL 35751. Any support is gratefully received.

Episode #314 - Bonita Curtner (Mother Goose) Mar 17, 2022

Show notes

I was introduced to Bonita Curtner, otherwise known as Mother Goose, by a listener. Bonita is something of an overachiever when it comes to racking up hiking miles. She is closing in on 50,000 miles. She also says the last 2,000 have been the toughest!

We had a few tech difficulties getting recorded, but the story was worth the effort. Bonita didn't share any links or social media, but she shared her knowledge and wisdom, both of which are far more important.

We also caught up with Chuck on his progress. He was at Hot Springs on March 8.

Also, Hugh and Kerry Ickrath were about to head out on their platinum blazing trail!

If you prefer NOT to use PayPal, you can now support us via check by mailing it to Mighty Blue Publishing, PO Box 6161, Sun City Center, FL 35751. Any support is gratefully received.

Episode #313 - Hope Westall (Everest) Mar 10, 2022

Show notes

Hope Westall is today's guest. Hope is the owner of Alt Route Meals, yet it is her hiking and her traveling that made me want to interview her on the show. But the meals are now a part of Hope's life, with a desire to mix her adventures with nutritionous, plant-based food that allows her to hike stronger and healthier.

She has done the AT and PCT, several trails in Australia and New Zealand, as well as a summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Her hunger for these adventures pushed her into developing her own food and, finding the results suiting her, she expanded into a business.

You can learn more about Hope and her products at https://altroutemeals.com/ as well as on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AltRouteMeals and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/altroutemeals/

Barry Hill and Dave Burge, from our Mighty Blue Class of 2022, give their last updates until I return in mid-April. Each has a cautionary tale to tell!!

If you prefer NOT to use PayPal, you can now support us via check by mailing it to Mighty Blue Publishing, PO Box 6161, Sun City Center, FL 35751. Any support is gratefully received.

Episode #312 - Shepard Smith (Soundscape) Mar 03, 2022

Show notes

Shep Smith, or Soundscape, had a particular mission when he was on the Appalachian Trail. As a former oceanographer, Shep chose to map the sounds of the trail. He shares a few insights today, along with stories from his hike.

If this fascinating subject gets you as much as it did me, you can check out the interactive map that Shep refers to in our conversation. It is at https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/8839ac254aa2473a9f2d2947d48ce799

Also today, I caught up with Chuck Hays, now in the Smokies.

If you prefer NOT to use PayPal, you can now support us via check by mailing it to Mighty Blue Publishing, PO Box 6161, Sun City Center, FL 35751. Any support is gratefully received.

Episode #311 - Lee Brackman (General Lee) Feb 24, 2022

Show notes

I have a wonderful reunion this week, with Lee Brackman, General Lee, from my Class of 2019. Lee and I ran into each other in Virginia and hiked around each other for a few days. Despite that brief time, we felt like firm friends, our nearly 50 year age difference notwithstanding. It was great to catch up.

Lee is a pretty remarkable young man, having packed an awful lot of stuff into his 24 years, including both his long hikes, mission work in a Cholera Hospital, and Cancer Research at Vanderbilt.

More recently, Lee hiked the CDT and started a new company, with a friend from Vanderbilt, producing clean water with electrolytes. Check it out at Purlyte.com. If you want to learn more, or even reconnect with him after your own hiking adventure, Lee is happy to share his email address. You can reach him at lcb21977@uga.edu

We catch up with two of our Class of 2022 members. Joanne Birditt tells me that she is bringing forward her thru-hike a few weeks, while Sarah Sunshine Landis is going in the opposite direction, putting hers back a couple of weeks. None of this will matter when the two of them get out on the trail; it's always going to be there!

Finally today, stick around and listen to the Ballad of Mighty Blue, written for me by Andy Alexander. I close out the show with it today, and am grateful indeed that our show has meant so much to people that they want to support in this way. I'm humbled.

If you prefer NOT to use PayPal, you can now support us via check by mailing it to Mighty Blue Publishing, PO Box 6161, Sun City Center, FL 35751. Any support is gratefully received.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected