Occasionally, I receive a letter that is so heartfelt, that it goes deeply into my psyche.
When I wrote THREE HUNDRED ZEROES, it was my intention to tell a humorous story, a story about my adventures on the Appalachian Trail. Chapter six of the book deals with my heart surgery, it is funny, but at the same time it is serious, telling us that we all need to pay attention to our health. The following letter moves me as a writer, it is so rewarding to know this story has made a difference in the lives of others:
We’re Elizabeth and Josh from, Arkansas, and we’re on our second read of your book, “Three Hundred Zeroes.” When we got to your chapter by that title, where you challenge the reader to get active and do something, I remembered that I’d intended to write to you about how your book provided some great inspiration for us. Your book is witty, optimistic and just really fun to read. We sure begin to feel like we’re really out there on the trail, which is where we want to be someday.
We’re in our thirties with four kids and a dream of one day hiking the A.T. together. Josh says he won’t go without me! We’ve already read a pile of good books about the trail, from how-tos to personal accounts. We first read your book in early fall of 2010. It added significantly to my husband’s realization that, if he was going to be healthy enough to hike the A.T. in 15 years or so, he needed to make some lifestyle changes. He’s a biology teacher and has always loved the outdoors, and he always has some project or new hobby going, but he wasn’t taking care of himself, and diet fads and new years’ resolutions weren’t sticking.
Last summer, one of his groomsmen was diagnosed with diabetes, another family friend in his sixties made some major life changes and told us his story, and we read your book. In the past nine months, Josh has lost 63 pounds and exercises regularly – especially if I go with him! 
We’ve also begun to work out weekend backpacking trips while the kids go to grandparent camp, and Josh loves how he’s able to eat whatever he wants on the trail and still lose weight! He was already a great guy; I’m just so proud of him!
We’ve also begun to work out weekend backpacking trips while the kids go to grandparent camp, and Josh loves how he’s able to eat whatever he wants on the trail and still lose weight! He was already a great guy; I’m just so proud of him!Josh will be eligible for retirement the year our last two kids graduate from high school. It’s still a ways out, and we don’t know what will be going on in our lives, but we want to be really intentional now to do our part to make it possible, and your optimism and perseverance continue to encourage us both.
Thanks for writing your book!
Sincerely,
Elizabeth
Thank you Elizabeth! It is so gratifying to know that I’ve been able to contribute something and that one day, you and Josh may hike the Appalachian Trail. With any luck you may find some of your kids wanting to do it as well. Happy trails!
Dennis “K1” Blanchard