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

Latest Episodes:

Episode #280 - Vince and Monica Strawbridge (Strawbridge Treks) Jul 22, 2021

Show notes

Today is the first of four shorter shows, with just one main interview and a few words of commentary from me. With a bit of luck, I'll be out on the John Muir Trail as you're listening to me and my guests.

Our guests today are Vince and Monica Strawbridge who, along with their four children and a friend, have recently completed the Appalachian Trail. For the Strawbridges, it was the culmination of their family Triple Crown.

This remarkable feat was achieved over a few years as the family responded to the hard times of the financial crisis by getting out on trails and realizing that their kids not only took to the lifestyle, but actually thrived out there.

The family maintained a YouTube and Instagram account as they completed their hikes. You can visit them here.

https://www.youtube.com/strawbridgetreksfamily

https://www.instagram.com/strawbridgetreks/

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

Any support is gratefully received.

Episode #279 - Gretchen Pardon (Braids) Jul 15, 2021

Show notes

We return to the world of YouTube this week, with another interview of a woman who successfully thru-hiked the trail and recorded her experiences along the way. Gretchen Pardon shared her joys, and her sorrows. So, when we spoke, I always knew we'd get to talk about her depression and anxiety. Her sunny disposition masks an inner strength and occasional anxiety that she faces. It was important to Gretchen that she was able to share this part of herself.

If you'd like to connect with Braids or see some of her adventures, she can be found on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/c/HikingwithBraids/,

on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/hikingwithbraids/, and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/hikingwithbraids

Katie has returned home for a family birthday, so this week we took the chance to reflect on her first third of the trail. When we next hear from her, I'll be back from the JMT, so I look forward to catching up with her then.

Any support is gratefully received.

Episode #278 - Jessica Mills (Dixie) and MarDe Brooks Jul 08, 2021

Show notes

This week, let's welcome a newly minted thru-hiking couple to the show. Jessica Mills (Dixie) and her partner, MarDe Brooks, recently completed the Florida Trail, wading through swamps, bugs, gators and hot weather along the way.

Jessica has been on the show before, but I was particularly interested in the dynamic between the two of them as they faced the test of a thru-hike.

With the hike now in their rearview mirror, Jessica decided to repay MarDe's gesture of hiking with her by joining him where he is the most comfortable–on stage, singing at a festival. You can hear that here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKU1t6zQDpk

If you want to see and hear more of Jessica and MarDe, check out the links below.

MarDe Brooks Social Media Links •YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyygaT4mrVUfF7UC6pGgF-w

•Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7txM1hlPgJt6CGJosCgPgA

•Facebook: www.Facebook.com/MarDeBrooksMusic

•Instagram: www.Instagram.com/MarDeBrooksMusic

•Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/MarDeBrooks/posts

Website: www.MarDeBrooks.com

Jessica "Dixie" Mills Social Media Links •YouTube: www.YouTube.com/c/HomemadeWanderlust •Facebook: www.Facebook.com/HomemadeWanderlust •Instagram: www.Instagram.com/HomemadeWanderlust •Patreon: www.patreon.com/HomemadeWanderlust

Katie has reached the rocks of Pennsylvania and is coping well with them. She catches us up with her progress over the past week.

Any support is gratefully received.

Episode #277 - Michael Sisemore (Sy) Jul 01, 2021

Show notes

This week, our guest is Michael Sisemore, better known as Sy. As many people do, Michael hiked the Appalachian Trail when he was at a real crossroads in his life. He had no idea what he'd be doing after the trail but allowed himself the luxury of being open to all possibilities. The transformation that came his way was seismic, with the effects reverberating down the years nearly a quarter of a century later.

Michael found a life that worked for him, and has now written a book that talks of those changes, as well as the meeting and very close friendship with a true trail legend. His story is fascinating.

You can read some great excerpts from the book at http://www.intherealworldihike.com/ and follow Sy on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/at99sy/

If you'd like to buy his book, you can find it on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B094CXWV11?pf_rd_r=A7B6KASNTC21KNPFRT1S&pf_rd_p=5ae2c7f8-e0c6-4f35-9071-dc3240e894a8&pd_rd_r=999176fe-f691-46ad-9b35-439412a22d99&pd_rd_w=MNzIJ&pd_rd_wg=qwQaX&ref_=pd_gw_unk

Katie has been putting in the miles this week, having eased herself back into her hike after her unfortunate injury. She also passed a special milestone.

Any support is gratefully received.

Episode #276 - Steve Nota (Dingo) Jun 24, 2021

Show notes

This week on the show, we go back to the 'normal" format, with me, Mighty Blue, at the microphone. Ryan is passing back the show having successfully steered it for the past three months. I am eternally grateful for the effort Ryan put into the show and hope to have him back behind the mic from time to time.

Today's guest is Steve Nota, a Bostonian relocated to Australia. Steve shares his story about hiking as a youngster, then moving to Australia and hiking "tracks" out there. He will attempt to realize a burning ambition to hike the Appalachian Trail in 2022.

As you can see from the pictures, the Aussie "tracks" provide the hiker with some glorious views.

Katie Westling has settled more into her hike and crossed two state borders this past week. Her progress is measured, but our listeners continue to support her in her journey, with two "Angels" helping her through Pennsylvania.

Now that I'm back in my recording seat, please let me know of any guests you'd like me to speak with by emailing me at steve@hikingradionetwork.com.

Any support is gratefully received.

Episode #275 - Lisa Speas (Conundrum) Jun 17, 2021

Show notes

Lisa Speas or "Conundrum" has been long-distance backpacking for many years traversing a variety of trails, the longest of which being the Appalachian Trail. Her AT journey was anything but typical and even included flatlining in the emergency room.

Lisa and Ryan discuss her journey on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Towpath, and the Great Allegheny Passage. She also shares her experience and advice for women hikers over 50 and how her backpacking style has evolved over the years.

Katie Westling is out of the Shennies at last!! The knee continues to improve, and she is past the Roller coaster. All in all, a week of success, including her picture at the ATC in Harpers Ferry.

Any support is gratefully received.

Episode #274 - Kera Passante and Bill Welch (Sunny and Always) Jun 10, 2021

Show notes

We've got a couple of overachievers on the show today. Kera and Bill decided that an Appalachian Trail thru-hike wasn't sufficient to scratch their adventure itch, so they went straight from their 2200-mile walk to a 5000-mile bike trip, crossing the country from Bar Harbor to San Diego–taking a fairly circuitous route, it must be said!

The two of them had such a blast on the trail–and this was in 2020, Covid Year–that they regarded their journey as not a case of stepping away from their previous lives but more towards their future lives.

Going forward, Kera and Bill will be sharing their knowledge of the trail, plus their knowledge of bikepacking, so I urge you to visit their various social media sites below, as well as look out for their website coming soon.

Always & Sunny on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlwaysSunnyAT

Always & Sunny on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Always_Sunny_AT/

Our Website (coming soon): https://www.adventurememories.life/

Katie has been learning valuable lessons on the trail, but her hike is back on and she shares with Steve her last few days in Shenandoah, with reflections upon those lessons.

At last, we've come to the concluding chapter of Larry Luxenburg's Walking the Appalachian Trail, with Larry summing up the trail afterlife so beautifully and so topically, even though this was written nearly 30 years ago. Some things on the trail never change.

Any support is gratefully received.

Episode #273 - M.J. Eberhart (Nimblewill Nomad) Jun 03, 2021

Show notes

On a beautiful day in the Grayson Highlands, Ryan hikes and sits down with Nimblewill Nomad for a follow-up interview from the last time they spoke on the trail.

Nimblewill is over 900 total miles in since leaving Flagg Mountain, Alabama, earlier this year. He is attempting to set a record by thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail at 83 years old. His hike this season has drawn the attention of many in the trail community and all are rooting for his success. Hike on Nimblewill!

https://nimblewillnomad.com/

Email Ryan: ryanh620@gmail.com

Katie continues her tentative on-trail rehab. She is still in Shenandoah National Park and gradually increasing the pressure on her knee. Steve and Katie discuss her plans to increase both the weight that she's carrying as well as the number of miles she is doing. As always, her determined spirit shines through.

Any support is gratefully received.

Episode #272 - Jamey Mossengren (Big Red) May 27, 2021

Show notes

While you listen to this, our guest today, Jamey Mossengren, is out on the Pacific Crest Trail with his buddies, The Minnesota Hikings. Jamey and I talk about his 2019 thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail and his remarkable mode of transport on the Colorado Trail, amongst others.

Despite our laughs, I was struck how Jamey and his mates were enjoying the trail and taking their time. This is probably why a bunch of younger guys didn't catch and pass this older guy in 2019!

He has some wonderful stories to tell and even tries out a new name for Trail Magic. Let me know what you think; it may catch on!

If you'd like to catch up with the Minnesota Hikings, check out their various social media sites below.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mnhikings

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MNHikings

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdpLKNHTlR-G9D1KqNT_fag/playlists

Also, if you'd like to know what it's like to be a real life unicorn, check out Jamey's personal sites.

Blog: https://www.uniproshow.com/apps/blog/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheUnicyclingUnicorn

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheUnicyclingUnicorn

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_unicycling_unicorn

Katie is easing her way back into fitness by doing short days on her way through Shenandoah National Park. The great news is that she's currently feeling no pain. Let's hope it continues.

In Larry Luxenburg's book, Walking the Appalachian Trail, Larry and his guests have reached Baxter State Park and Katahdin.

Any support is gratefully received.

Episode #271 - Steve Adams (Mighty Blue) at Trail Days May 20, 2021

Show notes

It was Trail Days in Damascus this past weekend, and Ryan took to opportunity to chat with Steve about the event itself, his books, and his upcoming plans for the JMT.

With Steve on his mini-sabbatical, Ryan is choosing the topics he wants to cover on the show and decided that putting a bit of a spotlight on Steve's books would open them to a new audience. If you'd like to see more about the books and to buy them, you can check them out at https://steveadamsauthor.com/

Remember, you can get a free copy of his short AT primer as an ebook from that site.

Katie is back on the trail. This time, she is carefully reinserting herself onto the trail, starting in Shenandoah and hoping that her leg continues to heal.

Any support is gratefully received.

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