A fellow ham radio operator, W1GNS, sent me this photo today. I had to chuckle when I saw the caption, “The First Handie-Talkie.” Looking at it, I figured it is really a “Walkie-Talkie,” and I don’t think it was too “handy” in any case. When I think about how small the radio was that I carried on the Appalachian Trail, I’m in awe! My radio fit inside of a small mint tin and weighed 7 oz. (200 grams).
There’s a new posting on writer, director and producer, David Wisehart’s Kindle Author site. David interviews me about Three Hundred Zeroes. David hosted a nice interview and gives an author an opportunity to explain what goes into the making of a book.
A few days ago I built something called the Tuna Tunah. What on earth is that you ask. In order to understand where the name comes from you have to know a little bit about upper New England (US) accents. In Maine, pronunciation of words ending in “r” often come out sounding like “a.” Think President Kennedy, his Cape Code accent had a similar sound.
I received the following from another heart surgery survivor. What I found fascinating about Michael’s letter is that his circumstances were so similar to mine: an athlete, loves the outdoors and friends that couldn’t believe he was having heart difficulties. If you’re athletic (or even if you’re not), listen to your body, if something changes dramatically, get it checked out before it is too late. Thanks for the letter Michael:
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Hi Dennis,
Just a note to let you know I enjoyed reading your book “Three Hundred Zeroes”. Since I’m an AT section hiker I knew what the title refered to before downloading it onto my Kindle. But, I had no idea that we might have more in common than hiking the AT. You see, last October I was finishing up my section hike of NY when I noticed that I was hiking very slowly. I figured it was just old age since I was 46 yrs old. (Ha!) I too was very athletic and had worked hard to get fit before hitting the AT. Just a few years earlier I had summited Kilimanjaro and Mt. Meru in Tanzania. Basically, I was a fitness nut. I knew something was wrong but had no idea what it was. I returned home to Huntsville, Alabama, (home of the Redstone Rocket) and immediately got very lazy. Not three weeks later I had a heart attack and emergency heart surgery.
The doctors told me I had an artery that was smaller than it should be and it finally caught up with me and got blocked. The rest of my heart was just fine. I ended up with a double bypass and everyone I knew was in shock. Much like you, I’ve touched a lot of people with my illness. Almost everyone I know started eating healthy and exercising. They figured if it can happen to Michael then it can happen to anyone! I recovered so quickly that the doctors told me to skip cardiac rehab and just go home and walk as much as possible.
That was 8 months ago and here I sit planning my next section hike for this coming October. I’ve hiked the AT from Georgia to the Hudson River and plan on making it to Maine within the next few years. I’m experiencing some of the same problems that you described in your book. I feel as though I have a governor on my heart and can’t go uphill quickly like I use to. Otherwise, I’m feeling very good and have been lifting weights, kayaking, hiking, jogging, etc. As you know, the worst part of the experience has been the mental aspect of the illness. Although happily married for 24 years, my daughter has been a greater source of inspiration for me. She’s 14 yrs old and a junior olympic volleyball player. I was in a bed in the ICU before surgery and all I could think about was getting out of that hospital so I could watch her play volleyball. That’s when I decided to tough it out and do whatever it took to get well.
Last weekend my daughter (blonde hair) and I rafted down the Ocoee River. I attached a picture of us on the river and we’re in the back row. I started her backpacking and kayaking when she was only six yrs old. I’m glad I’m still here to experience those things with her and to teach her outdoor skills.
So, thanks for writing the book and giving me the confidence to continue with my section hikes. My cardiologist thinks I’m crazy and so do my friends. I’m determined to finish the AT so Bear Mountain here I come!
Thanks Again, Michael |
Michael and daughter, Becky, White Water Rafting! |
THREE HUNDRED ZEROES: Lessons of the Heart on the Appalachian Trail is featured today on the web site:
http://www.theindiespotlight.com/
(permanent site: http://www.theindiespotlight.com/?p=6269)
The review covers the book’s story and an author interview. Thank you to so many of you that have already read the story. Stay tuned for my next adventure on the Camino de Santiago in Spain…
Dennis “K1” Blanchard
Author of Three Hundred Zeroes.
I had the pleasure of visiting Maine a few weeks ago. More specifically, I visited Limerick, Maine. If I recall, I don’t think the town has a traffic light, if there is, there can’t be more than one. I was there on the invite of Rex Harper. He is a ham radio operator of some renown and he invited me to come to the town library and give my Appalachian Trail presentation.
All of the attention was on New
Hampshire recently because of the GOP political debate. Much was made
of the candidates doing a televised debate to score points with the
party faithful. I have some advice for them, and the Democrats as
well when their time comes: spare me.
If politicians really want to score
points, here is a way they could do it. Hike the Appalachian Trail
(AT). I mean it. There would have to be a few rules so it doesn’t
turn into a media circus. They’d only be allowed maybe five “zero
days” where they’d be allowed to stage media events, interviews and
the like. They would only be allowed a limited budget for gear, food,
hostels and the like. Maybe they should fore-go their health care
plan for the duration, like so many hikers that have no health care.
They could hike together if they wish,
but I think they would find, like most thru-hikers do, that they have
different paces and interests and before long would find themselves
hiking with strangers that are more in sync with them. Those
strangers may, or may not, be politically in sync with them, but they
quickly learn that is not important on the trail, finding the next
meal and place to bed down is more important.
As I hiked the AT I was convinced that
every candidate for President, the Senate and the House should be
required to do a thru-hike. It connects one with reality and brings
one back to the basics. Day in and day out an individual has to carry
all of their worldly needs on their back. They have to plan a budget,
keep to a schedule, find shelter and meet their own needs. More often
than not, they end up having to depend on others. How many of the
people that run for high offices in this country have actually ever
done that?
To my knowledge, not very many people
of elevated political status in this country, have ever hiked the AT.
I could be wrong of course. William O. Douglas, a former Supreme
Court Justice does have a shelter named after him in Vermont, he did
hike it.
The beauty of the hike is not the
physical challenge, it is the mental challenge. Suddenly one is
thrust into an environment where everyone is equal and everyone is at
the mercy of the elements. The real beauty however, is the generosity
of others; the other hikers, trail angels and people met along the
way. Meeting people in small towns and boroughs that have lost their
jobs and health care and they still offer a hand to you can be a very
sobering experience. People that have lost their homes due to the
financial meltdown that help you find a place to stay can be an eye
opener. I don’t say this lightly, I’ve met those people.
Debates in nice sanitary environments,
with carefully guarded questions and bright lights tell us nothing
about the candidates. A cold, dark shelter, surviving days on end of
extreme rain and dealing with incessant insects, random snakes and
bears could perhaps tell us far more about the candidates than any
debate ever will. That would be a very bright light to shine on these
individuals.