Monthly Archives: March 2010

Some of the emails I have received…

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As an author it is always a thrill to know that your book has had an impact. Here are some quotes from some emails I have received:
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I finished Three Hundred Zeroes tonight just one week from when I met you, the fastest I have ever read a book. There is only one fault that I found @#$% it ended! What a great book and what an author. The book brings back a lot of fond memories of forty years ago. Camping the Adirondacks, living not far from Mt Monadnock, Mt Greylock, …, Mt Washington, Camping at Pinkham Notch, Crawford Notch, Mooselookmaguntic, Rangley Lake where my sister and brother-in-law had a beautiful cottage on the water. Ham Radio op, Bob
N1ZK in Orlando, FL:

Hello Dennis, I just finished your book last night, once I started I could hardly put it down!! Great, great story! Your story was a inspiration and encouragement for all of us not so young in body, but still young at heart…Maybe a few years down the road I’ll do some section of the AT, I have a sister that lives in Blairsville, north GA., not far from the beginning of the AT. -Ham radio op, Ed in Marana, AZ.

“Great read! Here is my problem. I am having surgery in late April. Three Hundred Zeroes was for my recuperation. I am at ‘Mama and the Three Bears and I cannot seem to put it down” – Doug in Boston

“Hi K1! So I just started reading your book last night and can’t put it down!!” -Lemur in Baltimore


“You are unbelieveable. You did an hour of standup in a hiker hut in the middle of the White mountains?? I guess my comment earlier about you looking like George Carlin wasn’t far removed. What’s next? Are you booking the borscht belt?    You have one heck of a lot of talent my friend. EE, Ham radio guy, hiker/explorer, cross country motorcyclist,and now stand up comedian!” –Paul in New Hampshire
“Dennis, my book arrived a couple days ago. It’s a great read, I really enjoy it. Almost seems like I am there too.” –Ben in Ohio

“Didn’t realize you were such a bear and babe magnet” -Steve in the White Mountains of New Hampshire
“Your descriptions of eating large meals are a hoot!” -Rich in Vermont

“I’m already engrossed!” -Deborah, Thru-Hiker

Oh boy–am I exhausted!  I went to church…–the door fell off the guest room shower…, some drastic pruning outside, back door needs painting, etc, etc… so what did I do???  I’ve been hiking the AT, having heart surgery, getting back on the trail—time to stop for wine, cheese and crackers!   What an adventure.-Mrs. L, Fort Myers, Florida

And the list goes on…
Thank you all for the kind words, it does my heart good to know you’re all enjoying it so much.

Dennis “K1” Blanchard

Lost in Thought on the Appalachian Trail

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Perhaps the most asked question on the Appalachian Trail is:“Why are you hiking the whole thing?” It is a good question and one that I kept asking myself during the hike.

 

My relationship with my brother was certainly a strong inspiration, but there we other influences at play as well. My love of the outdoors, accomplishing something that I didn’t really think I could do, and a fondness for meeting interesting people were all factors.

 

It certainly wasn’t my first visit to Appalachia, over the years I had motorcycled or bicycled through much of it. However, walking the trail has no parallel. Moving quickly on a motorized vehicle, or even swiftly on a bicycle does not present an opportunity to actually stop and talk with someone face-to-face. Walking means more than just a possible hand wave, it can mean a hand-shake and personal contact.

 

Long periods of solitude in the forest can loosen up the tightest lips and before long talking to perfect strangers seems pleasingly natural. Except for the moments of sheer terror in the book, most of the time is spent lost in thought or; I hesitantly admit, talking to myself. Of course there were times when I was hiking with others and engaging conversation would ensue, but as a rule, I was alone.

 

Walking along a forest path offers so much more solitude than even the most solitary street. Signs are rare and other than the path itself and any blazes marking the way, there is almost no sign of humanity. Deep thoughts creep into one’s mind; memories of things long forgotten come to the forefront. How does the brain do that? An image or thought that hasn’t fired a neuron in fifty years will all of a sudden dominate the mental conversation. I found that so amazing, time and again.

 

In this age of fast-paced, instant communications, it was so cathartic to be removed from that and find myself engaged in conversations in my own mind and with those that I met along the way. Take a walk in the woods,I highly recommend it. You may not find the answer to why you’re taking the walk but you may find that it is the journey that matters, and not the destination.

Enjoyable visit to the Orlando, Florida Amateur Radio Club and book signing.

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Yesterday, 3 March, Jane and I visited the Orlando, Florida Amateur Radio Club. I was invited to give a slide presentation on my hike of the Appalachian Trail. The club’s members were an enthusiastic and enjoyable audience and I think we all had a great time. I concluded that I have way too many slides and information to cram into a short presentation time, and I’ll have to work on that for future presentations.

How does one cram six months into forty minutes? It isn’t easy. Fortunately, a number of members did pick up a copy of the book and will be able to get the “whole story” at their leisure. One fellow, Dan, not only bought a copy of the book, he won the door prize, which was also a copy of the book, but I have to admit, he didn’t look disappointed.

Thanks to Diana, “Walky Talky” and others that are leaving comments here and on Amazon.com. I can’t begin to tell you how it pleases me to see readers enjoying themselves with this story.

Dennis “K1” Blanchard