Posts
Far, Not Fast: A Hostel Love Story
Of the thousands of former soldiers suffering from PTSD, this is a story about how the Appalachian Trail has helped bring one of them and his family back from the brink
The Story Behind the Hiker Yearbook
If you don’t know who Matthew Odie Norman is, you should, for in the last 5 years, with the creation of his Hiker Yearbook series, he has gone from regular thru hiker, to near legendary status, right up there with the likes of Baltimore Jack, Warren Doyle, and Miss Janet, to name just a few.
Trail Angel Spotlight: Fresh Ground and his Leapfrog Cafe
For years this humble servant has been going up and down the trail, serving hot meals and good hospitality to ever hiker he meets. It's time you get to know Fresh Ground
How the Eight-Member Crawford Family Completed the Appalachian Trail
In case you're wondering whatever happened to the Crawfords, family of 8, that was hiking the Appalachian Trail, here's the rest of the story.
Trail Angel Spotlight: Red Hat
For many hikers who are nearing the northeastern boundary of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, not only might you be stalked by bears along the
The Crawfords: A Family of 8 Takes on the Appalachian Trail
It's not often you meet such a large family hiking the Appalachian Trail. This is the story of the Crawfords, a family of 8 attempting a NOBO thru hike of the Appalachian Trail
87-Year-Old “Pappy” Attempting to Become the Oldest Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker
In 2017, the Trek's Maggie Slepian wrote a memorable piece entitled, "Age is Just a Number..." , about an 82 year old nobo thru hiker, Greybeard, who set the record for the oldest person to thru hike the Appalachian Trail. Well, if age IS just a number, Victor "Pappy" Kubilius has just raised that number.
Hike Faster, I Hear Banjos: Misconceptions about the Southern Appalachians
Every year, people from all walks of life, some from different colors and nationalities, pass through a greatly misunderstood place--the Southern Appalachians--where TV and movies would have you believe the people there are nothing but a bunch of dumb, uneducated racists, who are a danger to outsiders. Nothing could be further from the truth
Faces of Hot Springs: Chief of Police, Officer David Shelton
When you emerge from the freedom of the wilderness and step out onto the streets of Hot Springs, NC, you'll soon find yourself back in civilization, a place with laws designed for the good of all. And Officer Shelton is there to enforce such laws and see to it that all people, citizens and visitors alike obey said laws and live in harmony with one another (insomuch as it is possible).
Faces of Hot Springs: Mayor Sidney Harrison
To get insight into the Faces of Hot Springs, it's sometimes best to start at the top. This interview with Sidney Harrison, mayor, was the perfect way to find out how thru-hikers are viewed from a local official's standpoint.