Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis
This show is about what it was like to hike the AT in 2014 as a fat 61-year-old with zero hiking experience. Guests join me to share their stories and insights all the way from Georgia to Maine. At the end of each episode is a chapter from the latest hiking book that I'm reading.
Episodes
Brigid Bell set out on a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail just two years ago, and had the most extraordinary encounter in the Smokies. That she lived to tell the tale–and continued her thru-hike–is testament to her resilience and the calmness she gained as a 911 dispatcher.
Our guests today are Jim and Sarah Klepzig, a couple who lost their 22-year-old son, Tristan, in a terrible car accident five years ago. Tristan is on the left in the picture below, taken just two weeks prior to his accident.
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We meet Charles Bruce, or Tracker, this week. Charles is a member of the Appalachian Trail Class of 2022, and he fulfilled a long-held bucket list item when he completed his thru-hike.
Charles is from the northeast, and one of his pa...
Our guest today is an old friend of the show; Dr Lynne Savino. Lynne always has an interesting take on medical issues related to hiking, and this week, she discusses older hikers on trail.
She brings her normal passion for hiking and medicin...
This is it; the final days on my Camino trip in Spain. We cover the final four days, as well as interviews with Dave, plus Beth and Andrew from the Appalachian Trail. Next week, we'll be back to normal!
Almost there, with the trail now full of people since Sarria. I should be finished this weekend.
Also, Dave is well past the 1200 mile mark and feeling the full effects of Pennsylvania. It hurts!!
We’re closing in on the end and I’m not sure Im ready to be done. We’re back into the mountains and views are opening up all around us.
Beth and Andrew have been joined by more friends to hike with for a few weeks.
I’m back in the rhythm and within a couple of weeks from the end. I’m meeting new people, reacquainting my legs with hills, and eating relentlessly. I love hiking!!!
Dave has passed Harper’s Ferry and pushing into Pennsylvania and the rocks!
Today rounds off my last hike into Léon before taking a scheduled break to visit my family for a birthday party, followed by a long detour back to the trail via England, where I watched my beloved Mighty Blues in their unexpected play off final.
we also hear again from Beth and Andrew as they take on the first part of the Virginia Triple Crown; Dragon’s Tooth in the rain.
The first half of my Camino hike is done and I’ve arrived at Léon for my scheduled break with family (and a soccer match).
Dave is near the halfway point on the Appalachian Trail and has recovered his mojo.
Past the two-week mark and into the Meseta, the journey continues with intimate conversation, communal meals, and changing, yet still beautiful scenery.
We also catch up with Beth and Andrew as they move on from Trail Days.
The Meseta is about to end and I’m about to head south for a few days for a family party. The break has come at a good time to help my feet recover from a pounding.
Beth and Andrew take responsibility for Rufus, a bowling ball. Weird? Yep.
I’m at Burgos on my Camino adventure and about to head into the Meseta; an entirely different landscape from these first two weeks. Let’s catch up with days number 9-12.
also on the show, Dave has returned to Montana and is readjusting to life back on trail. Beth and I were unable to communicate in time, so we’ll hear how she and Andrew have been doing, as well as their first experience of Trail Days.
No notes but an extended catch up with Dave as well as my latest exploits on the Camino
No notes due to current circumstances other than to mention that this show covers days 2-5 on my Camino de Santiago in Spain, as well as the latest catch up Beth and Andrew on the Appalachian Trail.
Limited notes due to the Camino hike, but this week, we see me through my first day on trail and catch up with Dave, Beth, and Andrew on the Appalachian Trail.
David Lowe, or El Flaco, is our guest today. I saw a post on Facebook, with David at the Southern Terminus of the Appalachian Trail after his FOURTH successful completion. Along with those four, he’s completed the Triple Crown by doing the PCT and CDT as well.
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We have such an interesting guest this week. Guinevere Drabik, or Lucky. She thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2023 and found a community that she had been looking for.
Anna McKinney Smith, a 2021 thru-hiker, is our guest today. Anna found her people out on trail and, more significantly, she also found her person, who became her husband.
Melanie Wood is our guest this week. She hiked SOBO last year, running into the devastation of Helene with about 700 miles to go, having to prematurely end her hike. She is still recognized as a thru-hiker because, quite rightly, she hiked the trail that was available.
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