Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis

Our guests today are Jim and Sarah Klepzig, a couple who lost their 22-year-old son, Tristan, in a terrible car accident five years ago. Tristan is on the left in the picture below, taken just two weeks prior to his accident.

How they responded to this tragedy, turning to hiking as a way to heal, has been inspiring and helped the two of them navigate the world after their son. They carry keyrings to commemorate Tristan on their hikes up the Appalachian Trail and other trails.

Tristan was a big fan of cinnamon rolls, so the family instigated "Run 4 The Rolls," a 5k fun run in Jacksonville, Florida. You can follow their Instagram page at https://www.instagram.com/run4therolls/?hl=en and read more about the 5k at https://1stplacesports.com/races/run-for-the-rolls/

Beth and Andrew continue to eat their way north, running into trail magic with amazing regularity. Here they are sampling some Pennsylvania rocks.

Dave is on the verge of the Vermont / New Hampshire border. Things are about to get real! The calm waters of Stratton Mountain will be a distant memory next week!

I used my hike last year on the South West Coast Path in the UK to help raise money for my absolute favorite charity, Parenting Matters, on whose board I've been privileged to serve for over a decade. You can learn more about the hike and the organization–and donate–by visiting https://parentingmattersfl.org/eventer/hike-with-steve-empowering-parents-one-step-at-a-time/edate/2024-04-15/. I hope you want to support this critical mission.

Don't forget. Our entire series of videos from our Woods Hole Weekend in 2022 is now FREE and available at my YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wA8ImK4qpNc&list=PLu8u88nsJtgWZxT8DLwEW2yXcz4gT6HXs There, you'll find all sorts of tips and tricks that our guests took away from the weekend that helped them with their own hikes this year. Check it out.

I often ask listeners for ideas on who to interview, and I'm sure several of you say, "I could do that. I've got an awesome story to tell." You're the person we need to hear from. If you'd like to be interviewed on the podcast, just register as a guest on the link below, and I'll be in touch. https://www.hikingradionetwork.com/show/mighty-blue-on-the-appalachian-trail-the-ultimate-mid-life-c/guests/intake/

If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com .

If you prefer NOT to use PayPal, you can now support us via check by mailing it to Mighty Blue Publishing, 3821 Milflores Drive, Sun City Center, FL 33573. Any support is gratefully received.

Additionally, you can "Zelle" me a donation to [email protected]. Or "Venmo" me at @‌Steve-Adams-105. They both work!

If you'd like to take advantage of my book offer (all three of my printed hiking books–with a personal message and signed by me–for $31, including postage to the United States) send a check payable to Mighty Blue Publishing at the address just above.

We meet Charles Bruce, or Tracker, this week. Charles is a member of the Appalachian Trail Class of 2022, and he fulfilled a long-held bucket list item when he completed his thru-hike.

Charles is from the northeast, and one of his passions is to track white-tailed deer through the snow. While those skills didn't help with his thru-hike, they gave him his awesome trail name!

We'll hear why he needed to be finished before October, and his current plan to keep a promise he made to his wife.

Beth and Andrew have reached, and passed, the halfway marker, while the REAL rocks of Pennsylvania will be keeping them company for the next week or so!

Meanwhile, Dave is now very much in job mode, with his goal to finish mid-August very much in his sights.

I used my hike last year on the South West Coast Path in the UK to help raise money for my absolute favorite charity, Parenting Matters, on whose board I've been privileged to serve for over a decade. You can learn more about the hike and the organization–and donate–by visiting Hike with Steve - Empowering Parents, One Step at a Time | Parenting Matters %. I hope you want to support this critical mission.

Don't forget. Our entire series of videos from our Woods Hole Weekend in 2022 is now FREE and available at my YouTube page at Woods Hole Weekend - Trailer There, you'll find all sorts of tips and tricks that our guests took away from the weekend that helped them with their own hikes this year. Check it out.

I often ask listeners for ideas on who to interview, and I'm sure several of you say, "I could do that. I've got an awesome story to tell." You're the person we need to hear from. If you'd like to be interviewed on the podcast, just register as a guest on the link below, and I'll be in touch. Come on the show!

If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at Hiking Radio Network .

If you prefer NOT to use PayPal, you can now support us via check by mailing it to Mighty Blue Publishing, PO Box 6161, Sun City Center, FL 35751. Any support is gratefully received.

Additionally, you can "Zelle" me a donation to [email protected]. Or "Venmo" me at @‌Steve-Adams-105. They both work!

If you'd like to take advantage of my book offer (all three of my printed hiking books–with a personal message and signed by me–for $31, including postage to the United States) send a check payable to Mighty Blue Publishing at the address just above.

Our guest today is an old friend of the show; Dr Lynne Savino. Lynne always has an interesting take on medical issues related to hiking, and this week, she discusses older hikers on trail.

She brings her normal passion for hiking and medicine to the podcast, teaching me a few things along the way.

We also caught up with Dave, Beth and Andrew, as they all cope with the heat bubble on the east coast of the US.

Dave has moved into Connecticut, his 10th state, and he got this stunning, early-morning view of New York City from the trail a few days ago.

Meanwhile, Beth and Andrew have reached the traditional halfway point of Harpers Ferry, where they took the opportunity to visit the ATC headquarters to record the mandatory picture!

I used my hike last year on the South West Coast Path in the UK to help raise money for my absolute favorite charity, Parenting Matters, on whose board I've been privileged to serve for over a decade. You can learn more about the hike and the organization–and donate–by visiting Hike with Steve - Empowering Parents, One Step at a Time | Parenting Matters %. I hope you want to support this critical mission.

Don't forget. Our entire series of videos from our Woods Hole Weekend in 2022 is now FREE and available at my YouTube page at Woods Hole Weekend - Trailer There, you'll find all sorts of tips and tricks that our guests took away from the weekend that helped them with their own hikes this year. Check it out.

I often ask listeners for ideas on who to interview, and I'm sure several of you say, "I could do that. I've got an awesome story to tell." You're the person we need to hear from. If you'd like to be interviewed on the podcast, just register as a guest on the link below, and I'll be in touch. Come on the show!

If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at Hiking Radio Network .

If you prefer NOT to use PayPal, you can now support us via check by mailing it to Mighty Blue Publishing, PO Box 6161, Sun City Center, FL 35751. Any support is gratefully received.

Additionally, you can "Zelle" me a donation to [email protected]. Or "Venmo" me at @‌Steve-Adams-105. They both work!

If you'd like to take advantage of my book offer (all three of my printed hiking books–with a personal message and signed by me–for $31, including postage to the United States) send a check payable to Mighty Blue Publishing at the address just above.

This is it; the final days on my Camino trip in Spain. We cover the final four days, as well as interviews with Dave, plus Beth and Andrew from the Appalachian Trail. Next week, we'll be back to normal!

Almost there, with the trail now full of people since Sarria. I should be finished this weekend. Also, Dave is well past the 1200 mile mark and feeling the full effects of Pennsylvania. It hurts!!

We're closing in on the end and I'm not sure Im ready to be done. We're back into the mountains and views are opening up all around us. Beth and Andrew have been joined by more friends to hike with for a few weeks.

I'm back in the rhythm and within a couple of weeks from the end. I'm meeting new people, reacquainting my legs with hills, and eating relentlessly. I love hiking!!!

Dave has passed Harper's Ferry and pushing into Pennsylvania and the rocks!

Today rounds off my last hike into Léon before taking a scheduled break to visit my family for a birthday party, followed by a long detour back to the trail via England, where I watched my beloved Mighty Blues in their unexpected play off final.

we also hear again from Beth and Andrew as they take on the first part of the Virginia Triple Crown; Dragon's Tooth in the rain.

The first half of my Camino hike is done and I've arrived at Léon for my scheduled break with family (and a soccer match).

Dave is near the halfway point on the Appalachian Trail and has recovered his mojo.

Past the two-week mark and into the Meseta, the journey continues with intimate conversation, communal meals, and changing, yet still beautiful scenery. We also catch up with Beth and Andrew as they move on from Trail Days.