Quick update: The book has been updated to
include the Indie Award Medallion on the cover and inside pages. The
book is available for orders again. Thanks for your patience. As time permits I’ll put the image of the cover on this blog.
I also
want to thank those of you that have been writing reviews on Amazon
about the book. An Indie writer doesn’t have a massive budget to get th…e
word out about their work; thank you all. Customers really do read your
reviews!

Here it is, the first day of summer. Those thru-hikers that set out in March/April should be in Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania in substantial numbers now. Those hardy individuals setting out on a southbound (SOBO) hike from Maine should be showing up in New Hampshire.

By now a good portion of those that have decided that a thru-hike is not for them have dropped off the trail by now. The attrition rate will slow and most of those that leave the trail now do so because of physical injury, family problems back home, or, they just tire of hiking every day. What many don’t realize by looking at a map of the Appalachian Trail is that the hikers are not even halfway until they get up into Pennsylvania. A full quarter of the trail is contained within the Virginia border! This is a very long walk.

The individuals that are now continuing on their thru-hike are lean and mean. They’ve seen it all: harsh weather, cold, heat, insects, animal encounters and difficulties getting food resupply. The other welcome thing that they are starting to see more of are “trail angels”. Trail angels are a unique phenomenon, and I don’t know about other trails, but I would bet that the A.T. has more trail activity than any other on the planet. Please do comment if you know otherwise.

For those of you that don’t know, trail angels are common folk, ex-thru-hikers, friends of hikers, family, etc. that go out and help the hikers wherever they can. They leave stuff at road crossings like energy drinks and water in coolers, food and treats and even basics like toilet paper and hygiene materials. Some get really carried away and bring out hot dogs, hamburgs, salads, you name it. The really thoughtful ones even brought veggie burgers, that was really neat and considerate.

Another not so obvious service is hauling away trash for the hikers. I recall on a number of occasions being absolutely thrilled to find a trash bag to put my junk in; how thoughtful.

If you have a chance, and you’re in any of those states I mentioned above and you have a spare day, go out to the trail, take some treats and treat some hikers, they will appreciate it very much.

This is a long interview, 58 minutes. Marty covered just about every aspect of hiking the trail, preparation, food and how the book came about.

I recall when my kids were young they would ask, “Dad, what would you like for Father’s Day?” I would usually answer, “A nap.” They’d twist their face and look at me like I was nuts (they didn’t realize, I really meant it.) Anyway, one time they got me a copy of Bill Bryson’s “A Walk In The Woods,” and I was hooked. It was a story about hiking the Appalachian Trail. Unfortunately for Bill, he didn’t finish the hike, so I guess I get braggin’ rights.

The important thing about this story is that I thoroughly enjoyed the gift of a book. Tools for Father’s Day just means more work, a book on the other hand is many hours of enjoyment and time spent alone with your gift.

That gift of a book has stuck with me to this day. In the ensuing years I’ve given many books as gifts. Unlike the Mother’s Day chocolates that Mom inevitably ends up sharing, a book can be shared, but the reader can at least consume the whole thing before sharing it.

Happy Father’s Day…

Dennis “K1” Blanchard

This 26 minute interview covers what it is like to write your first book, go through heart surgery, hike the Appalachian Trail,  and discusses some of the wonderful characters one meets out there in the woods. Get a coffee, sit back and enjoy this informative and varied interview about Three Hundred Zeroes.

“Sailor,” at the BACKPACKIN‘ web site has posted an in-depth and conclusive review of Three Hundred Zeroes. The review is, in my opinion, both down-to-earth honest and critical. He points out some of the weaknesses of the book, but also generously gives it good marks.

If you’re looking for outdoor equipment be sure to check out their online store for serious hiking gear too.

Dennis, “K1”