Podcasts about Mount Katahdin

 Mount Washington Auto Road Delta Dental Mount Washington Road Race Steve Smith closing up shop Hiker assisted off of Mount Washington  Hiker Assisted off Cannon Mountain New Detail on the Father - Daughter fatalities on Mount Katahdin  

Welcome to Episode 175 of Inside The Line: The Catskill Mountains Podcast! This week, we sit down with Maraleen Manos-Jones, the 'Butterfly Woman,' to talk about all things Monarchs—migration, conservation, and why these iconic pollinators matter now more than ever. We also dive into the recovery on Mount Katahdin, the Catskill 3500 Club dinner, and talk about the unsettling PCT murders in Washington. Make sure to subscribe on your favorite platform, share the show, donate if you feel like it… or just keep tuning in. I'm just grateful you're here. And as always... VOLUNTEER!!!!Links for the Podcast: https://linktr.ee/ISLCatskillsPodcast, Donate a coffee to support the show! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ITLCatskills, Like to be a sponsor or monthly supporter of the show? Go here! - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ITLCatskills/membershipThanks to the sponsors of the show: Outdoor chronicles photography - https://www.outdoorchroniclesphotography.com/, Trailbound Project - https://www.trailboundproject.com/, Camp Catskill - https://campcatskill.co/, Another Summit - https://www.guardianrevival.org/programs/another-summitLinks: Maraleen's Website, Missing hikers on Katahdin found deceased, Ommegang Rare Vos, Hudson North CiderVolunteer Opportunities: Trailhead stewards for 3500 Club -https://www.catskill3500club.org/trailhead-stewardship, Catskills Trail Crew - https://www.nynjtc.org/trailcrew/catskills-trail-crew, NYNJTC Volunteering - https://www.nynjtc.org/catskills, Catskill Center - https://catskillcenter.org/, Catskill Mountain Club - https://catskillmountainclub.org/about-us/, Catskill Mountainkeeper - https://www.catskillmountainkeeper.org/, Bramley Mountain Fire Tower - https://bramleymountainfiretower.org/ Post Hike Brews and Bites - #butterflies #monarchbutterflies #hikehudson #hikethehudson #hudsonvalleyhiking #NYC #history #husdonvalley #hikingNY #kaaterskill #bluehole #catskillhiking #visitcatskills #catskillstrails #catskillmountains #catskillspodcast #catskills #catskillpark #catskillshiker #catskillmountainsnewyork #hiking #catskill3500club #catskill3500 #hikethecatskills

This Day in Maine Wednesday, June 4, 2025

My guest for Episode #305 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is John Willson, Executive Director of SOAR, the world's premier outdoor adventure program serving youth with ADHD and learning disabilities. Episode page with video and more With over 30 years of experience, John is a passionate advocate for experiential education and life skills development through structured, strengths-based environments. SOAR, which stands for Success Oriented Achievements Realized, supports young people ages 8 to 25 through summer camps, boarding schools, and gap year programs focused on building confidence and resilience. John's favorite mistake took place on Mount Katahdin, the northern end of the Appalachian Trail, where he unknowingly summited a false peak in poor weather conditions. Faced with a difficult decision—turn back through a dangerous route he already knew or forge ahead into unknown terrain—he pressed on despite worsening conditions. Although it was arguably the “wrong” decision in the moment, it led to a powerful sense of accomplishment and a safer descent than expected. John describes this as a “happy mistake” that taught him about risk, perseverance, and the sometimes unexpected rewards of pressing forward. In our conversation, John shares how this philosophy of “failing forward” underpins SOAR's mission. He explains how their structured programs help kids with ADHD and learning differences build critical life skills, develop self-awareness, and form friendships—often for the first time. We also explore the importance of creating environments where neurodiverse individuals are supported, understood, and encouraged to take safe risks, with a strong network behind them. John and I also discuss the evolving understanding of ADHD, the challenges of diagnosis, and how labels matter less than building strategies that work. He shares practical advice for parents and adults alike, emphasizing the role of support systems, coaching, and compassion. Whether you're a parent, educator, or someone navigating your own neurodiversity, this episode offers insights into how mistakes—when supported by reflection and community—can lead to breakthroughs. Questions and Topics: What's your favorite mistake? Is it true that one of your most common mistakes is people misspelling your last name? Did you go back and climb Mount Katahdin again on a clearer day? What do you mean by “summit fever”? If that decision had led to a bad outcome, would it change how you reflect on it? What lessons did you take away from that pattern of decision-making? What are some ways the SOAR summer camp is tailored for kids with ADHD or learning disabilities? How much of the benefit comes from being with other kids who share similar strengths and challenges? How does being in that kind of environment help kids feel more accepted? How does SOAR help kids who struggle to make friends build relationships? When were you diagnosed with ADHD? How did that diagnosis shape your connection to SOAR and the work you do? How many SOAR staff members also have ADHD, versus being trained to support it? What kind of person tends to thrive on your staff? What's your take on people wondering if they have ADHD or if it's anxiety or something else? What matters more—getting a diagnosis or developing the right coping strategies? What advice would you give someone recently diagnosed with ADHD—or who suspects they might have it? Can you talk about the role of support systems in success for neurodiverse individuals? What's your view on younger people being more open about neurodiversity in the workplace? Can you share some practical first steps after receiving an ADHD diagnosis? Why is identifying your support network such a crucial part of success?

https://slasrpodcast.com/      SLASRPodcast@gmail.com   Welcome to episode 192 of the sounds like a search and rescue podcast, this week I'm joined by cohost Andy Vilaine, who when he is not co-hosting here or out hiking is the TrainMaster at the Cog Railway. Andy will be giving us a detailed trip report of his recent solo winter hike to Mount Katahdin - we will break down everything you need to know about hiking in Baxter State park. Plus an update on Stomp, when will Ice Out on Lake Winnipesaukee be declared?, a hiking based film is coming to Lincoln this summer and they are putting a call out for actors, A recent rescue on one of Stomp's favorite mountains,  Mount Cardigan, news about weather apps, a serial killer in New England, Notable hikes and some national search and rescue stories.  This weeks Higher Summit Forecast SLASR 48 Peaks Alzheimers team - Join here!    About The Cog Cog Railway Website   Topics Welcome Andy Some Cog updates, spring schedule, getting ready for summer Cog helping out on rescues A longer update on Stomp and the future direction of SLASR (all good news) - Starts around the 22:30 mark Cannibalism on Boon Island, Maine White Mountains Visitors Center in N. Woodstock Appalachian Trail reroute - Great Gulf Ice Out On Winnipesaukee Hiking Movie is being filmed in Lincoln, NH this summer Rescue on Mount Cardigan UK SAR Data - Young People needing rescues are exploding Mountain Forecast is moving to a pay model, plus some reminders on better weather resources for the WMNF Drinks, SLASR 48 Peaks Team, Dad Jokes, Coffee, Recent Hikes, Notable Hikes  Andy's Solo Winter Hike on Mount Katahdin - info on hiking Baxter State Park Show Notes Apple Podcast link for 5 star reviews SLASR Merchandise SLASR LinkTree SLASR's BUYMEACOFFEE cannibalism on Boon Island, Maine White Mountains Visitors Center, N Woodstock. Exit 32 on Rt. 93  AT Reroute Announcement Ice Out is predicted to be April 19th for the lakes region. Movie filming in Lincoln, NH  Indigogo Page - synopsis Rescue on Mount Cardigan  Social media and map apps blamed for record rise in mountain rescue callouts https://archive.is/WdqtX  Mountain Forecast - moving to a pay model - Section Hiker weather guide  TrailsNH Forecast - Kimball Rexford (Ep. 154)  A New England Serial Killer?  Baxter State Park - Rules and Permits   Sponsors, Friends  and Partners Wild Raven Endurance Coaching CS Instant Coffee 2024 Longest Day - 48 Peaks Mount Washington Higher Summits Forecast Hiking Buddies  Vaucluse - Sweat less. Explore more. – Vaucluse Gear Fieldstone Kombucha

Hello to you listening in Millinocket, Maine!Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is 60 Seconds for Motivate Your Monday.In 1955 she sewed a sack out of old denim and stuffed it with “a blanket, a plastic shower sheet, a cup, a canteen and baby bottle for water, a small pot, a spoon, a Swiss Army knife, a first-aid kit, pins, flashlight, a piece of rope, a raincoat, a warm coat, a change of clothes and Keds sneakers.”  She set out from her home in Ohio telling her children she was going for a walk. And walk she did. 2,050 miles. Alone. On the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine. Her diet for the most part was raisins, nuts, chicken bouillon cubes, berries and leaves she found along the way. Her bed was often a pile of leaves, a picnic table, maybe a stranger's barn or porch. After 5 months in the wilderness Grandma Emma Gatewood reached Mount Katahdin, Maine. She was 67 years old.Not one to retire, Gatewood returned to thru-hike the AT again; she was 69 years old. Several years later she hiked the trail for a third time, in sections. This wasn't the end of her walking; more like the beginning.Question: What wonderful longing beckons you to begin?  60 Seconds is your daily dose of hope, imagination, wisdom, stories, practical tips, and general riffing on this and that. This is the place to thrive together. Come for the stories - stay for the magic. Speaking of magic, I hope you'll subscribe, follow, share a nice shout out on your social media or podcast channel of choice, including Android, and join us next time! You're invited to stop by the website and subscribe to stay current with Diane, her journeys, her guests, as well as creativity, imagination, walking, stories, camaraderie, and so much more: Quarter Moon Story Arts✓ Check out Services I Offer,✓ Arrange your no-sales, Complimentary Coaching Consult,✓ Stay current with Diane as “Wyzga on Words” on Substack and on LinkedInStories From Women Who Walk Production TeamPodcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story ArtsMusic: Mer's Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron MusicAll content and image © 2019 to Present Quarter Moon Story Arts. All rights reserved. 

Special guest, Tim Lawless and BYRT co-host, Jim share all about their recent trip hiking Mount Katahdin, Maine's highest point. They detail their journey, from the drive to camping to packing. Zack interviews these two about their life-changing hike. For a photo journey of the Katahdin trip, check out this article on Backyard Road Trips. 

It doesn't get more authentic than the great outdoors. Matthew Polstein and Tallie Martin of the New England Outdoor Center (NEOC) like to preserve that authenticity in their marketing. Matthew founded NEOC over 40 years ago, offering guests in scenic Maine rafting and snowmobiling, plus lodging and an event center with scenic views of Mount Katahdin. Marketing Manager Tallie says it's not always about making the hard sell in email communications, but connecting with the customer. “I'm seeing a higher click rate, and a higher opening rate for what I write in a newsletter. I'm like, Hey, this is what's up, here's what we're doing, here's what's relevant, here's what happened last weekend, here's what we're looking towards,” she says. “People are opening that rather than buy this, do this, come see that.”On this episode of the Be a Marketer podcast, Tallie, Matthew, host Dave Charest, Director of Small Business Success at Constant Contact, and Kelsi Carter, Brand Production Coordinator at Constant Contact, talk about seasonality, timing communications to purchases, and using AI in email composition.

What is it like camping in Maine? Welcome to this episode of "Make Maine Your Home," where we'll explore the incredible world of camping in Maine! Whether you're a seasoned camper or just getting started, Maine offers a variety of camping experiences that cater to all preferences and skill levels. Camping is an essential part of Maine's culture and lifestyle, offering a wide range of options from state parks and private campgrounds to backcountry adventures. In this video, we'll delve into the different types of camping available. Tent camping provides a classic experience, allowing you to connect with nature. RV camping offers comfort and convenience, with popular campgrounds featuring various amenities. For those seeking luxury, glamping provides unique accommodations like yurts and cabins. If you're up for a challenge, backcountry camping offers a wilderness experience with tips for safety and preparedness. We'll highlight some of the most popular camping locations in Maine. Acadia National Park is known for its iconic spots, hiking trails, and coastal views. Baxter State Park, home to Mount Katahdin, is remote and rugged. Moosehead Lake, the largest lake in Maine, is perfect for fishing and water activities. The Rangeley Lakes Region offers beautiful scenery, boating, and wildlife watching. Additionally, we'll give an overview of notable state parks like Camden Hills and Sebago Lake. Camping in Maine is packed with activities. Hiking trails for all levels, freshwater and saltwater fishing spots, lakes and rivers for boating and kayaking, and wildlife watching for moose, deer, birds, and marine life are just some of the adventures awaiting you. Don't miss the opportunity for stargazing in Maine's dark skies. Considering the seasons is important when planning your camping trip. Spring offers early season benefits with fewer crowds and cooler weather. Summer is the peak season with warm weather and a full range of activities. Fall brings foliage season, cooler temperatures, and quieter campgrounds. Winter camping options include snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. To ensure a great camping experience, preparation is key. Consider weather conditions and pack essentials. Practice Leave No Trace principles to preserve the environment. Stay safe by taking wildlife precautions and having emergency plans. Be aware of local regulations, including camping permits, fire regulations, and park rules. We'll recap the main points and encourage you to explore camping in Maine. Remember, "If you Make Maine Your Home, you don't have to do it alone!" We invite you to share your camping experiences in Maine and encourage you to subscribe to the channel for more tips and guides. Stay tuned for upcoming episodes related to outdoor activities in Maine. Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more amazing content about living and adventuring in Maine! #CampingInMaine #MaineOutdoors #TentCamping #RVCamping #Glamping #BackcountryCamping #AcadiaNationalPark #BaxterStatePark #MooseheadLake #RangeleyLakes #MaineStateParks #Hiking #Fishing #Boating #WildlifeWatching #Stargazing #OutdoorActivities #MakeMaineYourHome

You would never know it talking to mild-mannered Jamie Krakofsky that he grew up a hard partier in Ft. Lauderdale. Immersed in drugs, alcohol, women, and gang violence, he was thrown out of his dad's house at age 17. He tried living on his own but couldn't keep a job or an apartment. Exasperated, his mom challenged him to change his life. She put him on a plane to Bangor, Maine, with a bunch of camping gear and told him to hike the length of the 2,193-mile-long Appalachian Trail. Whatever he did, he was not to return to Florida. "She said, 'This is something that you need,'" Jamie recalled. But Jamie didn't realize how right his mom was until he reached the top of Mount Katahdin, the northern point of the Appalachian Trail, on his first day of the journey. "I just remember being up at the top of the mountain and just truly started having a conversation with God," Jamie said. The conversation lasted overnight and by time he was done with it, Jamie was feeling detoxed and refreshed. But he still had a long way to go. He didn't make it. Three and a half months into his adventure, he got injured. Obeying his mom's wish for him to keep out of Florida, he went to Colorado to stay with his mom's friends. The first week there, they decided to go camping. While up on Greenhorn Mountain, Jamie met his future wife, Bianca.  Together, the two of them forged a new path. Jamie went into the military but had to take a medical discharge after eight years. He started in real estate and succeeded beyond his imagination.  They also had three children — and they fostered 16 or 17 more. When their youngest child was 20 years old, the couple adopted a baby. "I'd like to think I've had an impact on a lot of people's lives," Jamie said. Jamie shared his incredible story in this week's episode of Chiseled. Usually, I am familiar with the facts of my guests' stories before they come on the show, but Jamie surprised me. I didn't know about all the parenting he has done, and I am truly inspired by the details he shared. If you're like me, his story will warm your heart and give you a spiritual lift. Want to talk to Jamie? You can find him anywhere on social media @jamie.krakofsky or go to the end of the episode to hear him share his phone number. Now, let's go get chiseled!  

SPRING HAS FINALLY SPRUNG! Our hosts will be the first to tell you (because this is a weather podcast) that we have finally left the snow and ice behind - gardening, biking, hiking, enjoying nature! But, B will be the first to remind you, that while nature is beautiful and peaceful, you gotta respect it. Today's tale takes us back 1974, to the snowy peaks of Mt. Katahdin, where six ice climbers face a storm of epic proportions. As the boy scouts say, “Be prepared.” Sources: An ice climbing disaster on Mount Katahdin. A desperate race to save live. by David Goodman for Globe Magazine EXPOSURE, FROSTBITE, EXCEEDING ABILITIES — MAINE MT. KATAHDIN by The Appalachian Mountain Club You can reach out to us via email at homegrownhorrorpod@gmail.com - send us stories, questions, Maine movie recommendations, or just say hi! Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/homegrownhorrorpod/⁠ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hghpod/support

Mount Katahdin, the highest peak in the state of Maine, is reportedly protected by a Thunderbird with the h body of a man, the head of a moose and the wings and claws of an eagle... and he eats people whole... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In July 1939 12-year-old Donn Fendler was separated from his group while hiking Mount Katahdin. What ensued is one of the largest search operations in Maine state history and the incredible story of one little boy's will to survive. We love our National Parks and we know you do too but when you're out there, remember to enjoy the view but watch your back. Please take a moment to rate and subscribe from wherever you're listening to NPAD! Become part of our Outsider family on Patreon  or Apple Subscriptions to gain access to ad-free episodes, bonus content, and more. Follow our socials Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. To share a Trail Tale, suggest a story, access merch, and browse our book recommendations - head over to our website. Thank you so much to our partners, check them out! IQBAR: Text PARK to 64000 to get 20% off all IQBAR products and free shipping. BetterHelp: National Park After Dark is sponsored by BetterHelp. Get 10% off. Prose: Use our link for a free in-depth hair consultation and 50% off your first subscription order. Sources: Book - Lost on a Mountain in Maine by Donn Fendler as told to Joseph B. Egan Documentary – Finding Donn Fendler Websites & Articles – New York Times, The University of Maine, Millinocket Historical Society, Deadline, Washington Post, NPS, Baxter State Park, Friends of KWW, Appalachian Mountain Club

  https://slasrpodcast.com/     SLASRPodcast@gmail.com    This week, planning for a winter stay in an AMC Hut,  snowmobile accidents, Mount Everest news, missing hikers, serial killers, a new movie about the legendary story of Donn Fendler who went missing on Mount Katahdin in the summer of 1939, we cover a recent hike on Mount Pierce and Mount Jackson, Snowmobile season may be over in NH, Notable hikes and recent search and rescue news. This weeks Higher Summit Forecast Welcome Back to our Sponsor - 2024 Longest Day - 48 Peaks Topics Cold Weather, Good hikes for brutally cold weather Show Intro Snowmobile crashes, Wolves in California  Valentines Day and Taylor Swift wins the super bowl Mount Everest - packing out the poop Old people giving advice Missing Hiker located deceased in Joshua Tree Serial Killers Car crashes into Pizza shop Donn Fendler Movie Pop Culture - Pop Tarts, Super Bowl tickets, True Detective, Quiet Place  Hiking Mount Pierce and Mount Jackson Stomp's snowmobile update Notable Hikes  Planning for an AMC Hut stay in Winter Recent Search and Rescue news    Show Notes Apple Podcast link for 5 star reviews SLASR Merchandise SLASR LinkTree Snowmobiler pinned under burning sled!!! Wild wolf update in California Everest climbers must carry poo out in poo bags!!! 14 centenarians offer their advice for a long life  Missing hiker's remains found in Joshua Tree NP Serial killer in Austen  Car crashes into Hudson NH pizza parlor Movie about missing boy on Katahdin  Inventor of Pop Tarts passes $7500 for cheapest Super Bowl ticket?. Backcountry snowboarder killed by avalanche in Colorado Hiker preparing for 200 mile trek vanishes Drone with thermal imaging to spot man who fell through ice  Rescue for those trapped in Nevada avalanche - includes video of avalanche Ice climber rescued on Cathedral Ledge Ice fisherman rescued after falling through ice Mass rescue dog tracks scent for 2 miles to find freezing child Sponsors, Friends  and Partners Mount Washington Higher Summits Forecast Fieldstone Kombucha Hiking Buddies  Vaucluse - Sweat less. Explore more. – Vaucluse Gear Welcome Back to our Sponsor - 2024 Longest Day - 48 Peaks

Blissful decides to put her feet on the Appalachian Trail, beginning from the north on Mount Katahdin in Maine. Those in the know will laugh when the Appalachian Trail (AT) is described as a "footpath" as it's more a rock climbing challenge.And it's tough to get to the start, 100 miles from any airport, then a 4,000-foot climb in five miles up to the summit and Mile 0.The weather calls for unseasonably hot weather, over 90 degrees, so it's a very early start.  Planning two nights of camping at Katahdin Stream Campground, Blissful walks steeply up to spectacular views before hitting boulders requiring crawling, pressing, pulling and squeezing with only a few iron ladders to help. The tableland is easy walking, but exposed and hot with no wind and swarms of flies. At the top, Blissful meets a cohort of thru-hikers and carefully returns right before a loud thunder clap. MUSIC: Poema del Pastor Coya by Angel Lasala  as played by Alison Young, flute and Vicki Seldon, pianoSupport the show

We start off “season 3” with our country's most northeastern state, Maine! Mount Katahdin, located in Baxter State Park, is one of Maine's natural wonders. It is Maine's highest peak and is the northern end to the Appalachian Trail. It draws in many hikers, some of who are ill prepared for the difficult hike to the trail's end. Lauren shares with us three daunting stories of travelers who didn't make it to the top, some who were never seen again and one who made it out alive. In the Isle of Shoals, sits a small island known to locals as Smuttynose Island. Hundreds of years ago, settlers from Norway began making their way over to the New World for new opportunities. Kenzie tells us about a tragedy that struck Smuttynose Island and the narrow escape of one lucky soul. Our hearts go out to the people of Maine in the wake of another preventable mass shooting.--If you have any information to share about Gerry Largay, please call the Maine Warden Service Public Safety Dispatch Center in Augusta at (207) 624-7076.Toll-free number when calling within Maine: 800-452-4664.--Follow us on Social Media and find out how to support A Scary State by clicking on our Link Tree: https://instabio.cc/4050223uxWQAl--Have a scary tale or listener story of your own? Send us an email to ascarystatepodcast@gmail.com! We can't wait to read it!--Thinking of starting a podcast? Thinking about using Buzzsprout for that? Well use our link to let Buzzsprout know we sent you and get a $20 Amazon gift card if you sign up for a paid plan!https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1722892--Works cited!https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yta4QOa3v1nS3V-vOcYPNx3xSgv_GckdFcZj6FBt8zg/edit?usp=sharing --Intro and outro music thanks to Kevin MacLeod. You can visit his site here: http://incompetech.com/. Which is where we found our music!

If you have run with the Moncton Running Room Run Club on Wednesday evening, you will recognize this week's guest. Michaela Forgeron agreed to sit down and chat with us and tell us all about the Wednesday evening Run Club, how covid affected the Run Club, the number of runners, and how things are starting to get back to normal. Michaela has done many cool things, such as hiking up Mount Katahdin in Main, 1606 meters, an incredible story. Michaela runs and hikes many places and distances including the Fundy Footpath. Michaela tells us of their hiking the Footpath story and it is pretty scary stuff, we are glad everything worked out in the end. If you need something to listen to while working out this week, why not listen to Michaela and Motivate to Move? It may motivate you to get out there and keep on trucking.Motivate to Move email, let us know who should be on our show:motivatetomove.podcast@gmail.comOur Facebook page, come check us out:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100041607699495As always, please give the gift of life, donate blood today, thank you.

They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. — Mark 10:32 Many hikers start the Appala­chian Trail at Springer Moun­tain in Georgia. Only a fraction, however, complete the entire trail. To make it all the way up Mount Katahdin in Maine at the end of the trail, the destination must become an unshakable goal. Though Jesus meandered through Galilee and Judea during his ministry, he had one final, unshakable destination in mind, and it was deadly. When he told his disciples he was going to Jerusalem, they were astonished. They knew only too well the ugly jealousy and hatred that the religious leaders had for Jesus. They feared for his life, not to mention their own. Though he had told them about this before, Jesus' disciples hadn't grasped the purpose of his mission. He was going to fulfill the Scriptures' promise of a suffering servant, who would take the sins of fallen humanity on his shoulders (Isaiah 52:13-53:12). He went to Jerusalem to die on a cross there—in order to give us new life and eternal hope. Thank God that he didn't quit! We all face hardships in this journey of life. When we feel like quitting, we need to remind ourselves that Jesus kept marching toward his destination. And now that we are freed from sin and death through him, we can share Jesus' hope and peace with every­one around us. Lord Jesus, despite the hardship and suffering you endured, you never gave up on redeeming us. Help us never to give up on you. Amen.

Noah did everything just as God commanded him. — Genesis 6:22 About 3 million people hike along the Appalachian Trail each year. About 3,000 people try to walk the entire trail—from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine. But only about 25 percent of those manage to finish. It takes grit to hike 5 million steps! Noah had grit. Noah's story isn't about walking a trail, but about building an ark. And if you've ever built anything, you know that it involves many steps in a process. Gathering materials, measuring, cutting, fitting, shaping, joining, finishing. Piece by piece, the ark took shape. God had commanded Noah to build an enormous lifeboat on dry land. It took Noah years to complete what seemed an impossible, ludicrous project. Imagine the courage, resolve, and sheer stamina it took to work on the ark day after day as his neighbors mocked him. God chose Noah not for his grit but for his faith. When he received God's command, Noah didn't hesitate. Though he may have had doubts, he acted in faith, step by step, until the ark was ready. Hebrews 11:7 commends Noah for his active faith. In the face of what seemed ridiculous and impossible, Noah walked with God. We may not finish every task we try to accomplish for God's kingdom, but if we step out in faith in obedience to God, we walk with the Lord in his strength. Lord Jesus, help us to live by faith in you, with courage, confidence, and boldness in following, obeying, and serving you in the world. Amen.

Jester welcomes to the podcast this week Chica and Sunsets who own and operate Chica and Sunsets Hostel.  In 2013, Greg and Jen left the corporate world where work more, make more, spend more was the mantra, and moved to Costa Rica. They became experts on the country and each wrote Amazon best selling books on the subject of chucking it all and moving abroad. You can find Jen's Amazon Author Page here and Greg's Amazon Author Page here. Jen also has a successful jewelry business, which was established in Costa Rica (and since has incorporated hiking jewelry!). After 4 years of enjoying Costa Rica and a new fondness for hiking in the mountains of the Central Valley where they lived, the couple decided it was time for a new adventure. What could be better than spending 6 months living in the woods and hiking the entire Appalachian Trail? Starting on Springer Mountain, Georgia on March 22, 2017 and ending on Mount Katahdin, Maine on September 16, 2017 their thru-hike was THE adventure of a lifetime! Along the way they became known by their trail names Chica and Sunsets, and documented their journey daily on their YouTube channel Chica and Sunsets. Since the AT, the couple has thru-hiked the 500-mile Camino de Santiago in Spain (2018), the Bartram Trail (2020), the Colorado Trail (2020) and the Ice Age Trail (2021), all documented on YouTube. They own and operate “Chica & Sunsets Hostel” for hikers in Franklin, NC, established in 2020 – click here for more info. The couple's philosophy is to work to live, not the other way around, and they continue chasing adventure – not the dollar. Join Jester On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JulieGayheart Hiker Medals: Website: https://hikermedals.com/   Discount Code for 20% Off: JESTER Woods Hole Weekend - Workshop Series: Ever Dream Of Hiking The Appalachian Trail?   Details Here: Woods Hole Weekend Connect with Julie Gayheart (Jester): Email: jester@jestersectionhiker.com Website: Julie Gayheart Jester Wallis Productions: https://www.youtube.com/@JesterWallisProductions  Podcast Music: Victor Lundberg "Top Of The Morning" 

In this episode, Courtney talks with Maren “Wizard” Wahle. They talk about the challenges of hiking in the sun, whether social media documentation is a great idea and they answer the question: What is it like to hike internationally? About Maren: My name is Maren, I'm 28 years old, and I was born and raised in Germany. My parents emigrated to Michigan about 9 years ago; I made the move to join them full-time in February 2021, after finishing my Bachelor's degree in English and German philology at the University of Stuttgart. Since I didn't quite know what to do with myself yet when I got here, I figured it would be an excellent time to go live in the woods for a while. So, in April 2021, I headed down to Georgia to start my thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. I summited Mount Katahdin on October 2nd - and knew immediately that I wanted to get back out there. I took a break from long distance trails in 2022 for several reasons, but in February 2023 I got the chance to join some friends from the AT on the Florida Trail - what was supposed to be a little 2 week section hike turned into a 740-mile-5-week adventure. Now I'm back in Michigan and making final preparations to head out for my PCT thru-hike attempt in a few weeks! (And then I guess back to Florida next January to finish up the Florida Trail...?) Follow her adventures on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_la.na._/ Remember, I'd love to hear from you on any topic that comes up in the show or if you know someone that would be a great guest for the show. Email me at hikingunfiltered@gmail.com. Enjoying the show? Leave us a review wherever you listen to the podcast. It really helps the show! You can also leave a voicemail for me on through the website. I may even share it on the show! Click here: https://www.hikingradionetwork.com/show/hiking-unfiltered/ You can join the Unfiltered community on Facebook to share your questions and show ideas. https://www.facebook.com/HikingUnfiltered You also find me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hikingunfiltered/ Check out the other shows on the Hiking Radio Network https://www.hikingradionetwork.com/ Stuff I love! Show the love with t-shirts and goodies from the Hiking Radio Network Trading Post https://hrntradingpost.com/ Get your Myaderm CBD pain relief products here: https://www.myaderm.com/ Use the code HIKING at checkout to get 20% off your first order! Start your own Riverside Podcast here: https://riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=cam

Mount Katahdin sits at the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail, in the remote central Maine woods. This bonus episode documents host Matt Podolsky's ascent of this iconic mountain, marking the completion of his Appalachian Trail thru-hike.

Hey School Success Makers! Listen as we chat with Karl Simon, Upper School Principal at Christian Heritage School, who shares his thoughts on the importance of "Your Why" in doing what you do to impact those around us. He also talks about how building a culture that fosters trust among professionals and supports one another will help make for better leaders! #SchoolSuccess #SchoolSuccessMakers -- Every week on The School Success Podcast, digital marketing agency owner Mitchell Slater interviews school leaders and game-changers in the education sector. Never miss an episode and follow The School Success Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you enjoy podcasts. This podcast is powered by Slater Strategies, a marketing agency committed to helping schools grow their enrollment and connect better with the families in their communities. Find out more at https://schoolsuccessmakers.com. Highlights of the Episode [01:58] we need to go fun shirt shopping [03:02] thoroughly enjoyed our time in Connecticut [04:14] I love growing up in New England [06:13] this is my first year as the upper school principal [07:31] to teach with excellence and to teach with rigor [09:41] our student enrollment rise a little bit during COVID [11:39] we had a lot of kids that have never been to school [15:47] our kids would stand outside in high 20s, low 30s degree [17:43] my 22nd 21st year in Christian ed [20:04] COVID force us into a lot of those questions [22:49] I was slugging into work [24:51] we went through a SWOT analysis [27:14] I think and now we're in 2022 [34:20] We don't do room checks at 330 [35:49] subs are getting COVID [38:12] I will say they climbed Mount Katahdin [39:38] this job is really tough [41:16] biggest piece of advice is build your teams YouTube Video Podcast Link: https://youtu.be/FsiE3hxtTI4

A new and excellent book from Amber and Joshua Niven and we chat with them about their Appalachian trail hiking backgrounds and of course,  about their new book.  They share their insights on making your Appalachian Trail experience the best there can be! From beginners to thru-hikers, Discovering the Appalachian Trail has something for anyone that wants a connection with the nation's longest marked footpath at approximately 2,181 miles. Starting at Springer Mountain in Georgia and finishing far to the north in Maine's Mount Katahdin, the A.T. crosses 14 states, 6 national parks, and 8 national forests. Taking on the A.T. is a pilgrimage because of both its beauty and accessibility. Let Joshua Niven and Amber Adams guide you across the best trails that the Appalachian Trail has to offer. Complete with full-color photography, you'll also have hikes suited to every ability, mile-by-mile directional cues, sidebars, and maps.You can find their book at your local bookstore (best option!) or on Amazon. 

This week we talk about strength training and why you should be doing it. Beth and Matt both credit their strength training as the reason why they did not break any bones when they recently fell on their Mount Katahdin hike. The benefits of strength training go far beyond simply building muscle and looking good. Tune in to find out why should be strength training! IT'S A NEW MONTH! Which means new workouts and challenges are now available in our Patreon! This month we are doing a "We Can Do Hard Things" Challenge. Become a Patron to receive exclusive content! https://www.patreon.com/cutthecrappodcast Follow us on Instagram: @cut_the_crap_pod Email us! We'd love to hear from you. cutthecrappod@gmail.com Like this episode? Why not share it with a friend! Send us a DM on Instagram to let us know what you think of this one, and with episode ideas! If we use your comment or suggestion, we'll give you a shoutout on the podcast! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/cut-the-crap-podcast/message

We FINALLY hiked Mount Katahdin! This week we are talking about how the hike went, the injuries accumulated, lessons learned and so much more. This is a fun, energetic episode with a fantastic message being delivered – we can do hard things! Let's go! Want exclusive content from Beth and Matt? Become a Patron today to show your support for the podcast and to get help in return! https://www.patreon.com/cutthecrappodcast Follow us on Instagram: @cut_the_crap_pod Email us! We'd love to hear from you. cutthecrappod@gmail.com Like this episode? Why not share it with a friend! Send us a DM on Instagram to let us know what you think of this one, and with episode ideas! If we use your comment or suggestion, we'll give you a shoutout on the podcast! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/cut-the-crap-podcast/message

When Shelley was diagnosed with uterine endometrial stage 4 cancer in January 2020, she knew as soon as she heard the word cancer, she'd go to Dana-Farber. She began chemotherapy treatments a month after her diagnosis until the cancer began growing again in November 2020. A few months later, Shelley started on a clinical trial that she has been on for the past six months. Her scans have shown no convincing evidence of metastatic disease. Shelley recalls the quality of care received by friends and family for multiple myeloma at Dana-Farber and has experienced the same high level of care herself. Shelley has also been a chiropractor for 20 years in East Hampton, Massachusetts. She also loves being outdoors through gardening, paddle boarding, mountain biking, and hiking. Last October, she climbed Mount Katahdin in Maine and hiked 100 miles of the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to North Carolina in April. She maintains a positive outlook and does not let cancer stop her from living her life.

In this episode, Ned talks about trying to hike mount Katahdin, failing at hiking Mount Katahdin, and what he likes about Millinocket, Maine.

Barry Dana is an Ultra Runner and former Chief of the Penobscot Nation currently based in Solon, ME. I was introduced to Barry after reading an article in Downeast Magazine detailing his numerous adventure runs through the 100 Mile Wilderness, which you might recognize as the last section of the Appalachian trail before the northern terminus at Mount Katahdin.In this conversation, Barry and I talk about his upbringing on the Penobscot Reservation, how his nation's history influenced his entry into trail and ultra running, the Katahdin 100 event, his experiences in the 100 Mile Wilderness, his thoughts on the Appalachian Trail, environmentalism in the trail running community, politics, and more.Timestamps:(1:00) - background(4:10) - Katahdin 100(5:48) - pre-contact Penobscot world(8:42) - the role of trail and ultra running in the culture(10:50) - the significance of Andrew Sockalexis(13:10) - role as Penobscot nation chief(15:44) - pinpointing when and how he got into ultras(19:26) - 100 Mile Wilderness(25:43) - the meaning of the word "sagama"(30:14) - making gear and food(33:39) - Mount Katahdin, AT FKT controversies(44:51) - other thoughts on the Appalachian Trail(48:52) - land back initiatives(53:42) - national parks discussion(56:06) - the value of formal events versus personal vision quests(61:06) - environmentalism discussion, flying(72:32) - thoughts on being politically active(79:16) - miscellaneous questionsLinks:For Barry Dana, Running The 100 Mile Wilderness Is More Than A SufferfestLandbackDiscovery DoctrineAndrew SockalexisAdditional Episodes You May Enjoy:#36 - Adam Merry | Bandera Reflections, Representation In Trail Running, State Of The Sport Talks#19 - Zoe Rom | Trail Runner Magazine, Running Journalism, Diversity Talks#18 - Moe Lauchert | Outdoor Entrepreneurship, Representation In Trail Running, Growing The SportSupport the show

In this week's episode we are going to talk about the best places to see leaves in Maine ! The fall foliage in Maine is incredible, and we did some research to find the best locations for you to visit this fall. First on our list is Fort Kent, which is one of the most northern towns in Maine. You can enjoy a beautiful drive down east, where you can enjoy a lot of great outdoor activities including fishing, camping, and hiking as well as take in beautiful views of the leaves changing colors. If you are looking for a camping spot or want to take in some shopping, head up to Bar Harbor and visit Acadia National Park, a favorite destination for leaf peepers, Acadia is a must visit! For more information on Acadia check out our video here: https://youtu.be/eqcv67wlFd8 . If you are visiting state parks in Maine we recommend Baxter State Park  in the Millinocket area. Baxter State Park is absolutely beautiful and with Mount Katahdin you can take in incredible views for the surrounding area! Rangeley Lake is a beautiful area with lakes, mountains, skiing, hiking, and great hiking trails. Rangeley Lake has great activities like scenic cruises, Rangeley Lake State Park, Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway to see all the autumn colors. Camden is the quintessential Maine town, so why not check out Camden Hills State Park. Not only will you take in the fall foliage, but you will also get to explore the beautiful shops, restaurants, and architecture in Camden. Lastly we recommend the Moosehead Lake Region. Moosehead Lake is the biggest lake in Maine. There are beautiful rivers running through the woods as well as some great little towns to make stops at. Seriously an incredible place to observe all the colors of fall. There are so many places in Maine to see the leaves, even on your own street. So let us know what you think is the best spot to see leaves in the comments below. So come and peep some leaves and remember, if you Make Maine Your Home, you don't have to do it alone! View the blog post on my website... https://www.makemaineyourhome.com/best-places-to-see-leaves-in-maine/To checkout listings all over southern Maine visit: https://www.makemaineyourhome.realestate/Check out our Facebook: www.Facebook.com/MakeMaineYourHomeYou can listen to the audio podcast on any podcast app.  Just search for Make Maine Your Home. Be sure to subscribe, like, share and tell your friends. To contact Doug you can call or text to 207-838-5593, email to doug@makemaineyourhome.com or check out http://www.MakeMaineYourHome.com.

Tonight's guest, Leo Curran, has been researching Sasquatch for 25 years. Leo created 2 Bigfoot groups on Facebook. 1 of them is the E.C.R.G. (The East Coast Cryotozoological Research Group) and 1-800-BIGFOOT. Leo had his 1st sighting when he was 15, while on a field trip, in high school, to Mount Katahdin, in Maine. That was just a prelude for what was yet to come, though, because he's had several Sasquatch-related experiences since then. All of which, he's going to tell you about, on tonight's show.If you'd like to check out my new Bigfoot show, called "My Bigfoot Sighting," there are two ways to listen. You can listen using your favorite podcast app, like Spotify, Spreaker, etc., or you can use YouTube to listen to episodes of the show. Here's a link to the My Bigfoot Sighting Channel on Spotify...https://open.spotify.com/show/2gomYbQG2gM6gPFakCQYNL?si=M0dm3bDfR_ShTiJcHPWoyw&dl_branch=1And here's a link to Episode 1 of the show on YouTube… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VUHN...If you've had a Sasquatch sighting and would like to be a guest on Bigfoot Eyewitness Radio, please go to https://www.BigfootEyewitness.com and submit a report.If you've had a Sasquatch sighting and would like to be a guest on My Bigfoot Sighting, please go to https://www.MyBigfootSighting.com and let me know.If you'd like to help support the show, by buying your own Bigfoot Eyewitness t-shirt or sweatshirt, please visit the Bigfoot Eyewitness Show Store, by going to https://Dogman-Encounters.MyShopify.comThanks, as always, for listening!

Hello to you listening in Millinocket, Maine!Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is 60 Seconds for Motivate Your Monday.In 1955 she sewed a sack out of old denim and stuffed it with “a blanket, a plastic shower sheet, a cup, a canteen and baby bottle for water, a small pot, a spoon, a Swiss Army knife, a first-aid kit, pins, flashlight, a piece of rope, a raincoat, a warm coat, a change of clothes and Keds sneakers.”  She set out from her home in Ohio telling her children she was going for a walk. And walk she did. 2,050 miles. Alone. On the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine. Her diet for the most part was raisins, nuts, chicken bouillon cubes, berries and leaves she found along the way. Her bed was often a pile of leaves, a picnic table, maybe a stranger's barn or porch. After 5 months in the wilderness Grandma Emma Gatewood reached Mount Katahdin, Maine. She was 67 years old.Not one to retire, Gatewood returned to thru-hike the AT again; she was 69 years old. Several years later she hiked the trail for a third time, in sections. This wasn't the end of her walking; more like the beginning.Question: What wonderful longing beckons you to begin?  60 Seconds is your daily dose of hope, imagination, wisdom, stories, practical tips, and general riffing on this and that. This is the place to thrive together. Come for the stories - stay for the magic. Speaking of magic, I hope you'll subscribe, follow, share a nice shout out on your social media or podcast channel of choice, including Android, and join us next time! You're invited to stop by the website and subscribe to stay current with Diane, her journeys, her guests, as well as creativity, imagination, walking, stories, camaraderie, and so much more: Quarter Moon Story ArtsStories From Women Who Walk Production TeamPodcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story ArtsMusic: Mer's Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron MusicAll content and image © 2019 - Present: for credit & attribution Quarter Moon Story Arts

In this episode, we talk with Bob Cram, Jr., author and illustrator, about his love of Grosse Pointe Blank, why he thinks John Cusack should get back into writing and producing, and how the GPB soundtrack acts as the Greek Chorus of the film. We also compare John Cusack's career with Nicolas Cage's, tussle about who the better Wilson brother is, and try to survive the summer heat. All of this and more on this episode of So Grosse, Such Pointe, Much Blank, a little concern put together to remind you all that this podcast is us...breathing.Bob Cram Jr. is a writer and illustrator who grew up in the shadow of Mount Katahdin. He would like to be mysterious, but is instead, at best, ambiguous. While his past has included stints as an actor, comic book editor, and web developer, it's really not as interesting as it sounds. Except for working on The Incredible Hulk that one time. That was cool. He's published two books - the sci-fi/horror/comedy/adventure novel The Monster War and a collection of horror movie reviews, 31 Days, 31 Horror Movies. He also writes “Fear Flashback,” a weekly horror movie review column at screenagewasteland.com. He is a total nerd, as his wife Maureen will eagerly attest. He will, on occasion, draw stuff.

This week we dive into Tamara's recent Maine road trip and explore how to get off-the-beaten path in the Downeast Acadia and Maine Highlands regions. ABOUT SAFE TRAVELS KIT Our sponsor this week is Safe Travels Kit. Founded by New York fashion executive and avid globetrotter, Adriana Martone, the Safe Travels Kit is a patent pending, first-to-market travel and airline bedding kit that launched in December 2020. After a horrific experience with a dirty airplane seat, Adriana thought something more needed to be done to create more sanitary, comfortable travel experiences for all. Hence, the Safe Travels Kit brand was born.  Now, when travelers set off on a vacation or business trip, instead of worrying about encountering unsanitary surroundings, they can journey in comfort and serenity, resting on the Safe Travels Kit super-soft seat covers and pillowcases, made from high-tech fabric that prevents germs from penetrating. Each kit costs $39.95 and contains: One lightweight, washable, compact travel pouch (weighs .7 ounces) one seat cover that fits planes (economy and business class seats), trains, and cars; One standard size pillow case (made of the same material as the seat cover); 10 individually wrapped sanitising wipes; and One surgical face mask. How to Get Off-the-Beaten Path in Maine Read Tamara's post on 7 must-try adventures in the Maine Highlands Read Tamara's post on things to do near Acadia National Park Read Tamara's Maine road trip itinerary When visiting Acadia National Park, visit the Schoodic Peninsula and the Schoodic section of Acadia National Park. You will not find the crowds that are on Mount Desert Island. If you do stay in Bar Harbor and visit Acadia National Park to see Cadillac Mountain, you do need reservations to drive up the mountain at sunrise. Tamara stayed in Winter Harbor, which is very close to the Schoodic section of Acadia National Park and you can take a ferry to Bar Harbor. Visiting Schoodic Point is nice at high tide when the waves crash against the rocks. When visiting less touristy towns, be prepared to be flexible and patient when eating out and recognize that many restaurants close by 8pm. Fogtown Brewing in Ellsworth is a great stop at the beginning of the trip. Drive the Schoodic National Scenic Byway east of Ellsworth and stop for KidsQuest interactive learning activities along the way. Renting a cottage or vacation home is a good option for families. Tamara stayed at MainStay Cottages & RV Park in Winter Harbor. You can take a puffin boat tour from Winter Harbor or Milbridge. Many trails in Schoodic are family friendly including the Alder Trail. Make sure to have lunch at Lunch on the Wharf in Corea. The oldest winery in Maine is Bartlett Maine Estate Winery, which is also a distillery. You can take a puffin tour from Milbridge with Robertson's Sea Tours and Adventures. Have a picnic at McClellan Park in Milbridge with great water views. Hazel with Maine Outdoor School leads guided hikes and paddles to help you find new places and learn more about the area. Be prepared for flies, mosquitos and ticks when you are hiking or spending a lot of time outside. You can spray your clothing and gear/shoes before you go outside. Lubec is the easternmost town in the USA and people like to visit West Quoddy head Lighthouse for sunrise. When the border is open you can visit Campobello island where the Roosevelt's summer home was and they have fun events like Tea with Eleanor. You must stop at Monica's Chocolates when in Lubec. Bangor is a nice small city with a vibrant downtown and great history and architecture. The Bangor Historical Society offers walking tours to learn more about the history of the town and the region. The Hollywood Casino Hotel is a good place to stay in Bangor even if you aren't interested in gambling. The Hirundo Wildlife Refuge is located close to Bangor and has good walking and hiking trails, many of which are wheelchair or stroller accessible. You can also borrow canoes or kayaks for free. The Orono Bog Boardwalk is also a nice and easy trail for families Tamara stayed at the New England Outdoor Center (NEOC) on Millinocket Lake, which offers cabins and lodges to rent. At NEOC you can borrow canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards as well as rent fat tire bikes or take a wildlife tour. From Millinocket Lake, drive the Katahdin Woods & Waters National Scenic Byway to the town of Patten. Tamara stayed at Shin Pond Village near Patten, which also offers both cabins and camp or RV sites. Shin Pond Village rents out Polaris side-by-side vehicles and there are hundreds of miles of trails to explore nearby. Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument is a new national monument that is also a Dark Sky Sanctuary. There are not any facilities like a visitor's center or bathrooms, but it is perfect for backcountry camping, hiking, and star gazing. For more information on star parties and events, visit Dark Sky Maine and Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters. Baxter State Park is very popular, especially in the southern entrance. Parking reservations are required for trails that lead to Mt. Katahdin. Sandy Stream pond is very popular early in the morning for moose and wildlife viewing. Driving all the way through the park is on a gravel road and it could take 3-4 hours to drive through the entire park. Shin Pond Village is close to the northern entrance to Baxter State Park. From there, the South Branch Pond area offers many hiking trails and you can also rent canoes. Full Episode Transcript [00:00:00.120] - Kim Tate From Rocky Coasts to Mountain Lakes, today, we're talking about Maine.   [00:00:16.460] - Announcer Welcome to Vacation Mavens, a family travel podcast with ideas for your next vacation and tips to get you out the door. Here are your hosts, Kim from Stuffed Suitcase and Tamara from We3Travel.   [00:00:31.700] - Tamara Gruber Today's episode is brought to us by Safe Travels, Kit, Safe Travels Kit is a travel and airline bedding kit that helps travelers create a more sanitary, comfortable travel experience. Now, when travelers set off on a vacation or business trip, instead of worrying about encountering unsanitary surroundings, they can journey in comfort and serenity, resting on the safe travels, super safe seat covers and pillowcases made from high-tech fabric that prevents germs from penetrating. You can purchase one for your upcoming travel safetravels.com or on Amazon or at many airport Brookstone locations.   [00:01:02.750] - Tamara Gruber So, Kim, we've been talking about Safe Travels Kit for a little bit now. And, you know, I was just on this road trip that we're going to talk about on this episode, and it made me think about the number of times that I've rented cars and maybe from, like, budget kind of places. and I've gotten in and be like kind of smells in here, like what's been going on in here. And so I was thinking you could put the seat cover on your rental car probably as well.   [00:01:28.730] - Kim Tate Yeah, of course. I'll never forget that time that we rented a car. And I remember it was pretty stinky, smelly. I don't remember where we were, but for some reason it stayed in my head.   [00:01:38.640] - Tamara Gruber Yeah, we had that. I feel like we took out the like they had they had one of those that room fresheners, like a car freshener, air fresheners. Oh, that's in there. And we took it out and then we realized why it was in there.   [00:01:50.810] - Kim Tate Like, OK, it needs to be here. Yeah. Especially now, you know, I, I saw somebody who's a frequent traveler sharing that he was rented a 2018 vehicle recently at the rental car lot. The rental cars are not many left. So there's getting whatever they can. So now what am I going to get when I go to California?   [00:02:14.750] Yeah, well, I'm bringing I'm packing my Safe Travels Kit, so I will have it for the plane and I'll have another rental car, so and I'll have an extra pillowcase.   [00:02:26.390] - Kim Tate Yeah, that's a long flight for you. You guys might try to, you know, use the time on the plane wisely and   [00:02:32.600] Yeah, I think actually my time on the plane is going to be writing about Maine.   [00:02:37.280] - Kim Tate Oh nice. That's good. Well we will jump right in then and get talking about your trip to Maine, because I was I have to admit, I was so jealous and wished I was there with you, especially because it was a solo trip for you. And I was thinking, man, I could have just flown out there and, you know, spent some time. We could have had our our fun little hiking and, you know, Maine time together.   [00:02:57.380] - Kim Tate But it seems like you had a lot of fun. You were definitely ready to get back to your family, but you were gone for a while. So we're going to jump right in and talk all about your your time exploring, you know, all the rocky coasts and lighthouses all the way to the lakes. And I know you saw a few moose, so we'll talk about that.   [00:03:13.190] - Tamara Gruber Yeah, definitely. I was thinking about you, too, especially since, you know, two summers ago we went to some of these areas, not the same exact area, but similar. And so I was definitely I was missing you and thinking of you. But, yeah, I spent I think it was about twelve days in Maine, which is such a long trip. But the state is so huge, you know, like people tend to think of more of the the Maine beaches, which is kind of like the southern coast.   [00:03:39.620] - Tamara Gruber And then there's the Portland, of course, and then like the mid coast. And then they kind of look at Acadia National Park is super popular. But to go beyond that is, you know, much more off the beaten path. And so I made my way up the Maine coast and maybe we'll talk about that actually in a different episode, because I think if I covered all twelve days, it would be like way too much.   [00:04:01.160] - Tamara Gruber But I was working with two different tourism boards. They had hired me to do a campaign with them because they're trying to say, hey, there is so much more to Maine than just, you know, these parts that people tend to gravitate towards. And so I was working with Downeast Acadia Regional Tourism, which is kind of the region from Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park, all the way to the the Canadian border along the coast and then the Maine Highlands, which is Bangor, and then up into kind of that Moosehead Lake area that we've been before and Baxter State Park and that, you know, mountains and lakes type of area.   [00:04:38.540] - Tamara Gruber So it's a lot to cover. When I was driving along and meeting and talking to different people, I mean, one thing about traveling by yourself is I become a little bit more extroverted. I mean, there's no one else to talk to you. Right. And it's really nice because you get to, like, make more conversation with locals. And and there were hardly any visitors at the time, which is great. So I was really able to kind of get a sense of the real thing.   [00:05:02.180] - Tamara Gruber But somebody was saying, like just one county in Maine is bigger than Connecticut, I'm sorry, Connecticut and Rhode Island combined. So it's like people just don't understand the scale. Like they get calls like, you know, places to stay and things like that. They get called. They're like, well, we're going to do like a day trip to, you know, they'll name a place I like, you realize it's like a five hour drive away, you know?   [00:05:22.230] - Tamara Gruber So, yeah. So it is a really big state. There's a lot to cover. But I think what I did with this road trip was kind of a little bit like the best of both worlds, because everyone loves that quintessential rocky coast with the lighthouses and the lobster and all that. But then, you know, the idea of seeing moose and getting out and hiking and seeing the lakes and the rivers like, you know, that is really appealing too.   [00:05:48.240] - Tamara Gruber And so I feel like for especially for this summer, it's going to be a great trip for people to do because you are trying to be outside still, but you're also trying to get away from people. And we've talked about before the summer is going to be really, you know, it's going to be really busy. Yeah, especially in national parks. And I saw a headline when I was there saying that Acadia is expecting record breaking numbers this summer.   [00:06:12.780] - Tamara Gruber I think that record breaking last summer and they expect to break that again this summer and they are requiring reservations. If you want to drive to the top of Cadillac Mountain and see the sunrise there, which is a very popular thing to do. So it's something you where again, like you really have to plan ahead. You don't really expect that as much on the East Coast as much as you might. And like Zion and, you know, some of the other parks where it's a little bit more known that you might need to take like shuttles and reservations and things.   [00:06:40.510] - Tamara Gruber So I really focused on areas outside of that. So I guess I'll just kind of start off with talking about what I what I did on the trip. And I did stay one night in Bar Harbor and that was at a glamping resort that I've just wanted to check out on my own. And that was like before I started this campaign portion of the trip. And so, you know, if you do want to start in Bar Harbor, that's fine.   [00:07:03.840] - Tamara Gruber And I think what Acadia National Park is most well known for is like the town of Bar Harbor and then the part of the park that is on this island called Mount Desert Island. And so that's where you're going to find the popular Cadillac Mountain and Jordan Pond and the Beehive Trail, things like that. But there are actually two other parts of the park in different locations and no one really goes to those. So you can still see some of the really beautiful parts of like why this is a national park without all of those crowds.   [00:07:33.610] - Tamara Gruber And so I stayed in a town called Winter Harbor, which is kind of just across the the bay or, you know, as you would imagine, like, you know, different harbors. And I was maybe five minutes outside of a section of the park that's called this Schoodic section of Acadia National Park, because it's on the Schoodic Peninsula, because if you think about the coast of Maine, it's kind of like all these fingers coming down. There's all these peninsulas coming off of the coast, which is why you have all that great coastline.   [00:08:01.290] - Tamara Gruber And so this is just, you know, right across there is actually right next to where I stayed. You could take a ferry that would bring you over to Bar Harbor, but the area, the Schoodic section of the park was empty. I went on a Friday night, my first time there, a Friday night for sunset. And you think, oh, it's going to be busier. There is no one on the right like the whole time.   [00:08:21.870] - Tamara Gruber I think it's of maybe a 14 mile loop. You know, I should probably look that up, but it's a one way loop through the park with different viewpoints and different trails and things that you can stop at. And the end point is called Schoodic Point. And that's where, especially at high tide, the waves are crashing on the rocky shoreline and the sunset is like, you know, going down right over there. So it's a popular spot to go for sunset.   [00:08:46.530] - Tamara Gruber And I saw, I think, to other people when I was there. Wow. Yeah, it was amazing and great. It's early June, but still it was like Friday. It was a weekend, you know. Yeah. So it was really it was it was quiet. So if you want to kind of get all of that national park ness with your. Yeah. Beautiful coastline and hikes and mountains and all that, without the crowds, you just have to go across over to this peninsula part of it.   [00:09:13.390] - Kim Tate So that's a great tip. I think that's what people need to be looking for, especially I think this is the last year that we'll have a lot of because there's even though international is coming back, people I think are still staying domestic. And so all those people who are eager to travel are all looking. And I've seen Maine coming up quite a bit. It's kind of it's kind of been funny.   [00:09:32.010] - Tamara Gruber So I have to yeah. I think it's you know, maybe people are thinking about alternatives to like the Southwest, knowing it's going to be high and. Yeah, maybe alternatives for some of the the other Western. Well, I think yeah.   [00:09:44.970] - Kim Tate I think people forget that Maine is up there and it offers I mean, it's kind of like they think of New England and they forget about everything else. That's like even upper state New York and, you know, all of that. They kind of forget that there's all that beautiful nature up there.   [00:09:59.130] - Tamara Gruber And yeah. Yeah. And I will say, like, last summer I went to the Adirondacks and granted it was in the middle of summer, but it was you know, things are really crowded like there. You really have to get to trailheads by six a.m. and, you know, expect like you might have trouble parking and all that and. I just don't see that in this part of these parts of Maine that I'm going to talk about, it is, you know, it is further, but if you're flying, you can fly into Bangor and then everything like from Bangor to Acadia is like an hour and 15 minutes.   [00:10:31.880] - Tamara Gruber And then from Bangor up to like where I was on Millinocket Lake. And like some of the Highlands area is, again, like an hour and a half, you know. So it's really. Yeah, you can even use that as a, you know, like a home base and do like a hub and spoke kind of trips you wanted to as well. So it's really and from it is it is up there. But even from Boston, like if you drove highway and not coast, you can get up there in like five hours.   [00:10:59.540] - Tamara Gruber So, you know, it's really not too bad. But again, I will say, though, the one thing to think about is that it is a little bit further out. And so you're not going to find all of the same tourist infrastructure that you find like a little bit further south or in some of the towns like Kennebunkport or Portland or whatever. And just I think everywhere is kind of experiencing a bit of a labor shortage right now.   [00:11:23.480] - Tamara Gruber But they're definitely seeing that in Maine, too, and places trying to get staffed up. And so you see more of, you know, there's, you know, maybe going to be a slower service at some of the restaurants or shorter hours or just the fact that when you're in some of these towns, there might only be two or three options. And what I found is that some of them close early, actually, most of them close early because it's just it's more of a you get up early and go to bed early kind of place than me, which is a night owl.   [00:11:53.360] - Tamara Gruber You know, I think when I was working with the person, the tourism board, I was like, yeah, dinner at around 7:00, you know, sounds good. And she's like, oh, I could tell you're not a morning person. Oh really? I thought that was still kind of early, but I found out, like, I would go, like, try to take sunset pictures and then go have dinner afterwards and no, no, no places close at 8.   [00:12:12.440] - Kim Tate So it's like that's that's surprisingly enough.   [00:12:15.260] - Kim Tate When we were in Rocky Mountain National Park, which is Estes Park is right there, they were the same thing. It was this small mountain town and everything closed to eat. It was so weird. You know, we had trouble sometimes, I mean, because it was the middle peak, July, middle of summer and. Right.   [00:12:29.790] - Tamara Gruber You have a lot of sunlight. You want to be out. Yeah. Stuff.   [00:12:32.060] - Kim Tate Right, exactly. Yeah.   [00:12:33.740] - Tamara Gruber Yeah. Well, let me I'll get into my trip a little bit and kind of give some details for people that want to plan some of their own. So my first stop was in the town of Ellsworth, which is kind of right above Bar Harbor, and it's a little downtown that has like some different brewing places. And I went mean, is like big with their craft beer scene. They're known for lobster, but they're also big blueberries. There's certain things you got to try.   [00:12:57.530] - Tamara Gruber So I went to this place called Town Brewing and that they had like an outdoor like food truck and beer garden kind of place. So, you know, it was really cool. And then I drove it was a lot of scenic byway. So I drove this Greek National Scenic Byway down. Like I said, this peninsula to this town of Winter Harbor. And again, you're not going to find the same like hotels and things they're going to find.   [00:13:21.380] - Tamara Gruber And Bar Harbor, there is a couple of inns, there's a couple bed and breakfasts. But if you're going as a family, you're probably better off trying to look for like a cottage rental of some sort. And I definitely saw lots of signs for those. And some of them are gorgeous. So I think that that's probably a better choice. I stayed at a place called Mainstay Cottages and RV Park, and I thought it was going to be kind of like your traditional RV park.   [00:13:46.130] - Tamara Gruber It was not. It was so nice. It was this piece of land right on the water. So your RV sites are like really overlooking the water. But there's only like 10 RV sites. And they were kind of to one side and the other side where cottages and I stayed in what was the original building there, which is a boat house. So it's like, you know, I walked down to the water, up a little ramp to my boat house.   [00:14:07.970] - Tamara Gruber That's like sitting over the water. So amazing, like sunset views. It was just a little like one bedroom cottage, but it had this back deck, the where you could just sit and watch the boats and watch the sunset.   [00:14:21.050] - Kim Tate And yeah, it was I would say that I remember that about Maine having the most amazing sunsets and the stuff you were sharing, it just reinforced that, that it's just amazing the colors that their skies get.   [00:14:34.640] - Tamara Gruber Yeah. Especially because a lot of it was kind of dreary when I was there during the day. And then it would surprise me at night. I'm like, yes, thank you. You know, so that was a really nice place to stay, like as a home base, because you literally could walk to the to the ferry that would go to Bar Harbor right there. There was also a little boat tour that went out that did a puffin tour, I think it was called Acadian Puffins.   [00:14:57.560] - Tamara Gruber So you could take a boat tour to go to an island off of a wildlife refuge where they've brought back the North Atlantic puffins. And so I was supposed to do that actually in a different town. And it got canceled because of high seas, but luckily earlier in my trip when I was in Booth Bay Harbor, I was able to do a similar trip.   [00:15:22.500] - Tamara Gruber But the thing about like Booth Bay is a bigger boat, more like a whale watching boat, like multi-tier. And so I have a feeling they don't get quite as close. Like maybe these boats were smaller. But the other thing to worry about is like if it is rough seas and you're on a small boat, you're going to feel it a lot more, you know. So but, you know, that's definitely a neat thing to do because, I mean, I've been fortunate enough to see them in Iceland, but it's a very unique thing to get to do and see.   [00:15:49.890] - Tamara Gruber And I think most people don't realize that puffins are actually really small. They're smaller than seabirds.   [00:15:55.050] - Kim Tate So they're very tiny.   [00:15:56.740] - Tamara Gruber Yes. You really it's hard to get a good view of them. I think people really expect you see the pictures and you're like, oh, that's what I'm going to see. I'm like, no, I had this amazing zoom camera and I could still only get so close. So, you need to bring binoculars.   [00:16:12.420] - Kim Tate Yeah, definitely. I agree with that. We went whale watching in, you know, on the Pacific Coast, surprisingly, and there's a wildlife refuge and they have some puffins and we actually got to see puffins out here. And it was it was kind of crazy because they seem so bright and like when you see them on rocks and in people's photos because they do zoom in, you don't realize how small they are. And you'd have to be really close to be able to even get that clear vision of their beak and all that beautiful coloring they have.   [00:16:40.260] - Kim Tate And so, yeah, I know what you mean by that, but they're so cute. They are. They're adorable.   [00:16:45.150] - Tamara Gruber And we mostly saw them like on the water when I took that trip. But there is a place in this downeast region that you have to book it in advance, but it's like a small boat. And so it depends on the weather. But they'll take some people out to the island and you can stay there and like, stand in the bird blind, you know, like the box where you are kind of covered. You just watch them. So there are if you're really into it, there are things to do like.   [00:17:12.590] - Tamara Gruber But where I stayed, like as I said, I was like five minutes from the entrance to that section of Acadia National Park, there was a place where you could rent kayaks there. There was a place where you could rent bikes because a lot of people just bike into the park and loop that way, which is a great option. So it's definitely a place where you could stay for a few days and just do there's so many different like hiking trails and things to do.   [00:17:36.150] - Tamara Gruber So like, you know, there's some in the park, but then there's all these different, like preserves and the national wildlife preserves, other types of preserves like around. And a lot of them have kids activities like there's this thing called Kids Quest where they're like each place has like different like learning opportunities for kids, like a train station. So this is where we you learn about seaweed, this is where you learn about tides, you know, so there's things like that that you can do if you have younger kids.   [00:18:02.020] - Tamara Gruber Also, you know, I spent pretty much like my first day really exploring the park. And I did a hike, like up to the top of a mountain. And the hikes there are not super long. I mean, you can do kind of a longer ridge, not real ridge, but, you know, you could do like a longer one. But most of the hikes are not too long and not too steep. I did come down one that was like a little bit steeper and not as clearly marked.   [00:18:28.140] - Tamara Gruber But I think for families, if you could do like this Alder Trail and I will put this all in the post that will be published by the time this episode comes out. So, like, everybody can see the details. But I also somebody told me that at low tide you can walk out to this little island that's off the coast of the park and sometimes the harbor seals will hang out there. So I checked to see like what time low tide was going to be.   [00:18:52.530] - Tamara Gruber And I made sure I went before, like, the actual low tide, you know, so I would have time to be there and get back before, you know, the water would start coming back in. Unfortunately, I didn't see any seals, but like that, you know, that was a neat kind of thing. Like you're walking on the ocean floor kind of thing. Yeah. And then just you did the loop, went out to see the waves crashing and, you know, so it's just it's pretty.   [00:19:15.390] - Tamara Gruber If you like a rocky coast, you will definitely get your fill.   [00:19:20.130] - Kim Tate Yeah, that sounds amazing. I'm impressed with Maine even from my one trip. I think it's really a place if you're if you're looking for like a relaxing, outdoorsy, just kind of laid back vacation. I think Maine is definitely a good place to look for that.   [00:19:34.410] - Tamara Gruber Yeah. And like I said, there's a lot of, like, little charming things like one of the I think that day I left the park and I went to have a late lunch that someone told me about. Again, some of these things like you need like a local will tell you that because they're not very well promoted or, you know, talked about even within the park, there's a place that was called like Ravens Nest. And it's not even on the list, like it's not even on the park map.   [00:20:01.320] - Tamara Gruber But like all the locals will tell you, oh, you got to go to these cliffs, you know, so stuff like that. So I talked to actually the person that was she owned the the property where I was staying. And she recommended going to this little fishing village of Corea or. Actually, I think it's Korea, but with a C and there is like a food truck kind of thing there, but lunch on the wharf and it's only open in the summer and it's only open like from 11:00 to three and not open on Sundays.   [00:20:28.550] - Tamara Gruber So that kind of thing, like where you kind of have to know about it to go, but they have lobster rolls and all that, and you're right on the water. And, you know, there are places like that and like further south in Maine that people will line up for for like an hour, you know, but they're like it was just so nice, you know, like I sat just looking at the boats, because I can't even tell you how many harbors there are, because all these little coves and, you know, they're just filled with lobstering boats and fishing boats and they're just bobbing there.   [00:20:57.440] - Tamara Gruber And all along the the pier, as you just see, you know, all the lobster traps and you see the bouys and the ropes. And it's just it's so classic. It's so classic, like Maine and New England. So it's like, I don't know, it just kind of, you know that expression like fills your bucket, just kind of like your bucket with like all these, like, good sites that you wanted to see when you came to Maine.   [00:21:18.470] - Tamara Gruber And it's like everywhere you turn is there there's another lighthouse, you know, like it's just it's so quaint.   [00:21:24.440] - Kim Tate Yeah. Well, I was definitely jealous of all the lobster rolls and stuff you were having, so I definitely think that's something people think about. So the food sounds like it's it's definitely not to be missed when you're on a trip there.   [00:21:37.080] - Tamara Gruber I came home and Glenn was like, what would you want for dinner? And I'm like, I think pasta, a chicken, I had a lot of seafood. And then when I was like further north, you know, it was like much more casual. So like I had a lot of fried stuff there. So I kind of just want, good. You know, like, give me salad, you know, that kind of stuff.   [00:21:56.360] - Tamara Gruber Yeah. But yeah, there's a lot of other things, like there's some cute farms like organic farms you can stop at. There's a couple of wineries surprisingly, but they specialize in fruit wine. But I did visit the one that was the oldest in Maine. It's called Bartlett Maine Estate Winery. So it's a distillery too. So I guess, you know, you can maybe find your your drink in one of those, too. So, you know, there's other things that you can do.   [00:22:20.210] - Tamara Gruber It's not just about like hiking and stuff like that, but yeah, there's just so many good places. So after I stayed in Winter Harbor, I went over, I kind of made my way east to the town of Machias. But first I stopped in this town called Milbridge. And there were a couple of things that I think of note there that I would want to mention. And one is that you can do a puffin tour from there with Robertson seatours and Adventures.   [00:22:48.740] - Tamara Gruber That's the one that I was supposed to do, but unfortunately got canceled. But there's some really nice parks around there, too. So I went to this park called McClellan Park. It's a state I don't actually I don't know if it's State Park. I think it's just a local town park. So you're driving, like, down this peninsula and you're like, oh, is this going to be worth it? And then you turn into this park and it's just, you know, you're driving through the woods, really bumpy little road.   [00:23:13.580] - Tamara Gruber Follow the sign to the picnic area. I get out of the car at the picnic area and it's like one table in the middle of like a grassy kind of field surrounded by trees. And I'm like, why am I here? You know? And then I realized then I realized there was like this little path. And so I follow this path. And then you're on these gorgeous, like rock. I wouldn't call them cliffs, but like, you know, these big boulders along the coast with picnic tables there.   [00:23:37.640] - Tamara Gruber And I'm like, OK, I get it now. It's gorgeous. And if this was at home, there would be so many other people there, you know, you'd have to stake out your spot. All that there was I saw, like in the distance one other person, you know, so you could just go and have this amazing picnic with a wonderful view. And I feel like, you know, that's that's what it was about. It was just about like amazing views and stuff like that.   [00:24:00.680] - Tamara Gruber But without the people, I'm going to sound like very like people adverse. But, you know, like it can get crowded in places. And it's just so nice to find those places that are still so great that are undiscovered somewhat, you know.   [00:24:13.130] - Kim Tate Yeah, yeah, yeah. That's awesome. I think it's it's kind of interesting that, like you said, that there are those spaces still and it's hard to know, like, as you know, people like you and I who shared travel destinations. And I think we need to all be mindful of looking for those little more. I mean, beautiful places certainly don't just end at the border of a national park, although sometimes they can. But, you know, it can be quite beautiful anywhere you go.   [00:24:41.890] - Kim Tate Yeah. And in talking to the locals, they're kind of like, well, we know we want people to come in, don't have to change. So it's still in that little bit of, you know, back and forth thing. But apparently, like during the pandemic, people have been buying land up there, like sight unseen, paying cash, just like grabbing up land. So they're kind of like what is going to happen after they have a winter to up here, because that is a very different experience.   [00:25:10.760] - Tamara Gruber So we'll see. They're a little worried about, like, you know, driving up the cost of land and rent. And things like that, but we'll see, you know, like it might really transform, you know, so that there becomes a bit more of an infrastructure. But I will say, like, you know, you do have to go with expectations, like I ate at this one place called Saltbox in Winter Harbor that was, you know, a very nice restaurant, you know, wonderful food.   [00:25:33.670] - Tamara Gruber Like, you know, what you would expect from, like a fine dining type of experience. But mostly it is like a family home cooking kind of places, you know, so you just have the right expectations. It's not like there's anything wrong with that. But, you know, you're not going just a lot of heavy, rich food over time.   [00:25:51.500] - Tamara Gruber Yeah, yeah. Lots of fresh fish and stuff, though. The other thing that I would really recommend, especially for families, I think is I did a guided hike with Hazel from Maine Outdoor School, and she's like an outdoor educator. She's, you know, she's from Maine. She's very passionate about it. But she knows so much like about the area, but also about like the, you know, all of the plants and all the trees and all the the birds and, you know, like everything that you're going through.   [00:26:22.600] - Tamara Gruber So I feel like she could do something that would really engage kids. She's used to doing like kids programs, too. So she knows how to be very engaging with kids and, you know, teach you a lot, but then maybe bring you places that you may not have found on your own. And, you know, one of the things she offered to me was to do like an evening paddle, like where you could see wildlife and stuff.   [00:26:43.030] - Tamara Gruber And we didn't do that just because of my schedule. But that would be something other. I'll just make sure you bring, like, proper bug gear if you're going to do that. Yeah, I should I should mention that, like, yeah, May and June are usually like black fly season in Maine but I got really lucky and I did not get bothered by them at all. And even the mosquitoes, which they're always there's like t shirts that are like the state bird is, you know, mosquito.   [00:27:08.410] - Kim Tate Yeah. I remember having to fight with mosquitoes when we were there.   [00:27:12.160] - Tamara Gruber So I didn't have too much of a problem with that either. I mean obviously I put on bug spray the things that drove me a little bit crazy a couple times were like those no see ums.   [00:27:20.110] - Kim Tate Oh yeah. Those little gnat biters.   [00:27:22.090] - Tamara Gruber Yeah. Because they're the ones that just drive you insane. Yeah. But it was only a couple of times and like usually if you're moving it was fine. And they say like after like mid-July somebody said that's like the third thunderstorm in July is when the flies go. I love these like old time.   [00:27:39.820] - Kim Tate Like the Farmer's Almanac type. Yeah that's right. Yeah. What about I mean another thing does just mention that, you know, we don't deal with as much out here, but pretty soon the whole US is going to have to deal with it. Just being aware of ticks and Lyme disease when you're out hiking and checking yourself for that. Right.   [00:27:54.550] - Tamara Gruber Ticks are a huge problem. And I actually I'm a little bit worried that they're going to be worse this year just because, like some people that I know that are spending a lot of time outdoors are finding them already. I actually when I did the glamping at Terramor in Bar Harbor, I sat outside by the fire for a while and then it started to rain. I had a blanket wrapped around me because it was kind of cold. And when I came in, I, like put the blanket out just to look at it.   [00:28:16.570] - Tamara Gruber And I found a tick on it and I was like freaking out. You know, I flushed it like it wasn't on me. I did it had a decent mirror. I did like a good tick check, but I definitely think, like, yes, spray your gear. There's some stuff I can link to it on our show. Notes that you can spray like your backpack and your shoes and things with before you like, not, you know, like spray it, not when you're in it.   [00:28:38.350] - Tamara Gruber And then just, you know, use some good bug spray and do good checks and wear it and all that kind of stuff. But Hannah's going back to camp this summer in Maine, and I've already told her, like, OK, you really have to be good about this.   [00:28:49.270] - Kim Tate You know, I think wearing the hats, the big one is just getting in. Your hair is the other.   [00:28:52.960] - Tamara Gruber Apparently, they climb up, you see, like a lot of times because it's like you're going through the tall grasses and they grab on your leg, they grab on to like your shoes and your legs. And that's why some people will tuck their socks, like, in to their socks and then, you know, so then they crawl up and they look for like warm areas, like armpits and stuff like that. So, yeah, I mean, there's plenty of stuff online to tell you, like what to do about it.   [00:29:17.470] - Kim Tate Yeah. I don't want it to discourage people. I mean, everyone is dealing with that, but it's just something like for me, I'm not so used to it out here in the West Coast. So it's definitely something to be mindful about. I think Kansas I remember my mom checking me when I were I would play in the woods.   [00:29:32.200] - Tamara Gruber So, yeah, when I grew up, we we would get them a lot. And it didn't figure out the same way because there wasn't that disease associated with it, you know. Yeah. So yeah. So it is definitely, you know, something to stay aware of. But luckily that was my only encounter with that, you know. And I did keep checking all throughout.   [00:29:51.910] - Kim Tate Yeah. Yeah. Just something to be mindful of for people I don't want. Sorry to go off on that side tangent, but I think it's important to just know since we are talking about it as a destination.   [00:30:01.720] - Tamara Gruber Definitely. So from there I made my way to this town of Machias, which is like a little bit larger of a town. And there's some other things you can do if you did want to like kind of base there for a little bit. There's Roque Bluffs. State Park has a nice sand beach, and I think nearby there's like Jenkins' Beach, which is more like ground, colorful pebbles, but there aren't as many like beach type of places, you know in Maine, because it's at least in that section, because it's more rocky coast.   [00:30:27.500] - Tamara Gruber So it's nice when you can find, you know, a real beach to, like, hang out on or sabayon. In the town of Machias, there's a nice, like waterfall in the center of town. But I will say, like, there's not again, there's not a lot when it comes to restaurants. And I think there's two or three more motel kind of places. I think a couple of them have been renovated, you know, so that they look, you know, newer.   [00:30:52.130] - Tamara Gruber But it is still that kind of accommodation unless you would want to rent a cabin. But I actually stayed at a gorgeous place. It was called the Inn at Schoppee Farm. So it was a farmhouse that they've converted into an inn. And I stayed in the river room, which was on the first floor. I think the other rooms are on the second floor. And it was gorgeous, like the person the people that run.   [00:31:18.190] - Tamara Gruber It's like a young couple clearly have such nice design style because it felt like it felt like it was from like a magazine or a decor show because it was just very simple, like farmhouse kind of, you know, like white linens, like the wide plank floors, the exposed beams in the ceiling. There's like old little table, but just with a like a vase of like these simple yellow flowers. So it's just like wood and white and a little splash of yellow.   [00:31:45.140] - Tamara Gruber And it was just it was beautiful and it's right on the river. It's accessible to like this path that's used for like biking or running or ATVs or stuff like that. So and it's just really great outside of town. So that was really like a wonderful farm. I don't know if you'd call it like a farm stay because there weren't like animals and things around, but it was it had that feel. But I think, you know, unless you're going to take a couple of rooms, it's going to be better for like a couple than a family.   [00:32:12.010] - Kim Tate Makes sense.   [00:32:13.640] - Tamara Gruber And then the next day, I decided I was going to drive all the way out to the Canadian border, the town of Lubec, because it is everyone kept telling me, you got to go. It's such a cute town. And I realized I was only like forty-five minutes away. And I'm like, how do I come this far and not make it go all the way, you know? So I was like, you know, I'm just going to get up early one day and do it.   [00:32:36.710] - Tamara Gruber Although I will say I did not get up as early as some people do, because the thing to do in Lubec is there's this really cute, like red and white striped light House called the West Quoddy head light. And it is the, you know, the easternmost town in the U.S. And so it is where, like the first sunrise, you know, first hits the U.S. So it's like a lot it's a thing for people to go and see sunrise there.   [00:33:02.240] - Kim Tate New Year's Day. I've seen pictures of that.   [00:33:05.510] - Tamara Gruber But you know me, I'm not a morning person. Sunrise right now is like four something, you know. So I was not going to get up at like three thirty to drive out there wasn't happening. But still I went out there and again handful of people were there while I was there. So I, I set up shop, I had my tripod, I was taking pictures, you know, I was like hanging out there. And I am so self-conscious about stuff like that, like I feel so uncomfortable, like taking up anyone else's space or time or whatever.   [00:33:35.990] - Tamara Gruber So I tend to not do those things when there's people around. I just feel really uncomfortable. But because there was no one around, I'm like, oh, cool, I can take some pictures with me in it. I'm going to set up my tripod. And so it was it was nice. It was really cute. And then the town itself, I mean, it's quiet now because obviously the border is closed, but it's really cute. There's a place called Cohills inn & Pub which supposedly makes like great cocktails.   [00:33:58.970] - Tamara Gruber There's a brewing place there. There's all kinds of trails and things. If you did decide to stay. And what most people do when the border is open is there's this island that kind of shares the border and it's called Campobello. And it's where the Roosevelts had like a summer home. So you can go out there and visit like this, you know, historic home. Sometimes they'll do like tea with Eleanor, you know, and the those things to do.   [00:34:23.540] - Tamara Gruber But, like, that's a really popular thing to do. But it's it's closed right now because of the the border is closed. But if you go in the future, when the Canadian border is open, like, definitely check that out. But it was well worth it. And there's also if you go, you have to stop at this place called Monika's Chocolates. She will walk you through every bit of her shop. She makes everything by hand.   [00:34:44.660] - Tamara Gruber So not just the chocolate, but she makes her own peanut butter. She makes her own caramel. Like everything that's going into this stuff, she's making by hand also. And the chocolates are amazing. So I was like, OK, they're going to melt in the car, but I have to get some. And so I was like trying to keep them cold by putting, like, water bottles around it and stuff. So that was kind of wrapping up my time in the Downeast region.   [00:35:10.250] - Tamara Gruber And then I went up to the Maine highlands.   [00:35:12.740] - Kim Tate Yeah. And so that's the Maine highlands. It's kind of like what you and I that's more of the lake and mountain interior, is that correct? Yeah.   [00:35:19.400] - Tamara Gruber Yeah. I spent one night in Bangor kind of as a layover and I visited like I drove by the Stephen King's house. He does still live there, but I guess they're turning it into a writer's retreat. And actually, I was able to get a lot of history because I took a walk, actually were supposed to be walking tour, but it because it was like 95 degrees, they nicely drove me around with the Bangor Historical Society.   [00:35:42.620] - Kim Tate But they have a whole bunch of different tours that you can do because it at one point had the most millionaires. And I don't know if it was New England or the U.S., but because it was a logging town, there was like just a lot of wealth there at one time. So the town itself has these beautiful Victorian mansions, like the architecture's really beautiful. A lot of downtown was destroyed in a fire at one point. And obviously it's not a big lumber town today, but it's still cute like downtown.   [00:36:12.470] - Kim Tate I mean, it's a little bit hard to judge sometimes right now some of the towns, because they're like coming back. But it was much more vibrant than I would have expected given this past year, you know, and everything that's happened. Yeah, but it was you know, there are a lot of cafes. There are tons of like outdoor dining kind of options. It was cute. You know, it was definitely a cute little town. And then they have like a good concert arena there that apparently bands love to play at.   [00:36:38.090] - Kim Tate It's like you're on a river. And so, you know, people will come from far away to go see a show there and then stay overnight. So I stayed surprisingly. This one really surprised me. There's a casino hotel like I didn't expect that. They say this place called like the Hollywood Casino Hotel. But like, luckily, like, I was not interested in going to the casino, but like, the hotel part is separate. So, like, you didn't have to encounter any of that other stuff at all.   [00:37:06.770] - Tamara Gruber Like even I came in a different entrance thinking I could cut through to get to the hotel because I'd walked across the street for dinner. And that was completely sectioned off, so it's like you, I did not have to walk through it at all, so that was like if you're not into gambling, then you don't worry about it   [00:37:25.430] - Kim Tate We have a casino hotel out here like that, that's very separate that you can get to him through a lobby, but you don't it's not like a Vegas hotel where you walk through the casino to get to the elevators or something.   [00:37:34.690] - Tamara Gruber Right. And where they don't want you to find your way out.   [00:37:36.890] - Kim Tate Yeah, exactly. You know, you actually can't find your room.   [00:37:40.790] - Tamara Gruber Yeah. So from there, like the next morning I drove up to where I was staying in Millinocket Lake. But first I stopped at a place called the Hirundo Wildlife Refuge, and I did like a guided paddle, was with a naturalist there. And this is like a it's a really nice like if you are staying in Bangor and you want to get out and do some, like, walks and hikes without driving an hour and a half, it was you know, it's only like maybe 25 minutes or so out there.   [00:38:09.830] - Tamara Gruber And they've tried to make it really accessible and affordable for families. So it's free. They do take donations. You can even borrow canoes or kayaks for free. I mean, they hope that you make a donation. So that's really nice. And a lot of their trails are wheelchair or stroller accessible, which is a lot of hiking trails in Maine are what they call rocks and routes. So it's a very uneven surface. So anyone that has any mobility issues, it's it's a bit of a struggle to get out in nature.   [00:38:40.500] - Tamara Gruber And so the fact that these are like, you know, nicely done trails, there's also another one called the, I don't know, Orono bog boardwalk that I did. So it's like a boardwalk, you know, out like overlooking a bog back in. So it's nice to see that, like, again, for families that don't want to have, like, something too strenuous but want to get out nature, there's something for them to do.   [00:38:59.870] - Tamara Gruber Then I drove up to it's called the New England Outdoors Center. And remember how you and I did like the Appalachian Mountain Club Lodge and we did that. Yeah. So it's you know, they have a large and then they have cabins. They don't do the same kind of family style dinners, communal dining.   [00:39:17.710] - Kim Tate Yeah.   [00:39:18.200] - Tamara Gruber So it is different in that way, but it's on a lake and it's a lodge. They run activities, they have a restaurant there. It was closed when I was there just for that day. They try to balance it with other restaurants in the area so that everybody has a day off, you know, especially being short staffed right now. But they put me up in an amazing cabin like this, especially when I walked in there, I was like, OK, to three bedroom, two bath cabin with like this gorgeous kitchen.   [00:39:44.690] - Tamara Gruber I can't believe, you know, like this is what I wish I had people with me.   [00:39:47.720] - Kim Tate Yeah, of course. I remember you sharing your stories. I was like, oh, man. And it's like always happens with us when we find a great place, it's like, oh, you're here for ten hours.   [00:39:56.420] - Tamara Gruber I was there for one night and I'm like, oh man. But they have a mix of cabins like they have smaller, like, you know, kind of more basic cabins. They're premium cabins. I think this was like a premium lodge, you know, kind of thing. But they have some that sleep up to fourteen. So great for like family groups, you know, extended families, friends, that kind of thing. And the waterfront there is beautiful.   [00:40:18.380] - Tamara Gruber So they had their on Millinocket Lake looking across the lake to Mount Katahdin, which is the tallest mountain in Maine, and that's the end point of the Appalachian Trail. So it's like where it's famous because a lot of people will finish their hikes there and so people will go and meet them and greet them. So it's a great view. They have, like, I guess a tiny little beach front area, but they have like a picnic area, you know, like along the waterfront.   [00:40:44.210] - Tamara Gruber And you can borrow canoes and kayaks or stand up paddleboards to go out. They also rent mountain bikes and they're building out like mountain bike trails there. But the thing that I did that was exciting was I did one of their wildlife tours. So when you and I did a moose tour, we went out like early morning and we're in a van. And then we did a canoe. This one they have in the evening or the early morning. But you go out on a pontoon boat, so you go across the lake and then you go into all these little streams and inlets because that's where the moose come down, like   [00:41:17.630] - Kim Tate where the almost like the airboat tours in Florida.   [00:41:20.660] - Tamara Gruber Yeah, yeah, yeah.   [00:41:23.090] - Tamara Gruber So we did that and we were like looking around and it was like, you know, that point where you're just about to give up. And then he's like, I think I see something. And it was really far in the distance, but you could really see there's the moose. And as we were coming back, we saw another one like a little bit closer to shore. So I still have not seen one with, like, the I've still haven't seen a male with the antlers   [00:41:43.940] - Kim Tate Still. I know I was watching all year. I was watching all your pictures and I'm like, oh, another. And whatever the female ones are called.   [00:41:50.690] - Tamara Gruber Cows. Yeah. Yeah. So and they're still big because they're still like they are because.   [00:41:56.870] - Kim Tate Yeah. You don't want to get, you know, next to one of those.   [00:41:59.630] - Tamara Gruber But yeah I was super excited though because I saw a lot of beaver and beaver was one thing that it's just I don't know, I've always wanted to see one in the wild because I see the beaver dams a lot.   [00:42:10.970] - Tamara Gruber But you never actually see the beaver. And so as we were going, you know, you would see the Beaver Dam and then you would see like a head swimming through the water. And when I did my paddle at the wildlife refuge, like earlier in the day, she was talking about Beaver and, you know, you mostly would see them at night and that they slap their tail to scare you away. And she kind of demonstrated with the paddle how loud the slap was.   [00:42:35.410] - Tamara Gruber Well, I got they slapped their tail at us a lot, you know, so I have a picture of like this huge splash from them. So, like, I have some pictures of their head in the water, but it's like a distance. It's nothing. It's nothing that like. Yeah, yeah. Nothing great. But definitely saw them. Definitely heard them that really get away from here. Oh yes. That was cool.   [00:42:56.540] - Kim Tate Awesome. So lots of wildlife and getting out into nature. What else did you do when you were in that area.   [00:43:02.830] - Tamara Gruber So I did do some kayaking on the lake, but it was a little bit choppy. So I didn't go. I kind of just stuck to shore and, you know, just kind of explored a little bit because then I was driving the next day, I drove up a little bit further north, but I took another scenic road. It's Route 11 and it's called the Katahdin Woods scenic byway up to a town of Patten, like there's a lumberjack museum there.   [00:43:29.650] - Tamara Gruber So it's big, big, big lumber town. And I stayed at a place called Shin Pond Village. And this is they also have a bunch of cabins. So they have camping sites, RV sites. And then I think about a dozen different cabins, again, like a two bedroom cabin. It was you know, it was nice. It was it was not fancy, but it was it was spacious and, you know, nice.   [00:43:54.950] - Tamara Gruber And so I liked it a lot. And, you know, it had kind of a nice view over like a meadow. But the thing that they do there is they rent side by side like ATVs. But the Polaris like side by side here, because there's just like tons of trails out there. So it's kind of like one of the big things to do in that area is to go, you know, ride these trails. And so there's different ATV clubs that have built them out and maintain them.   [00:44:22.600] - Tamara Gruber And so someone from Shin Pond Village took me out on a little guided tour. They don't usually do the guided excursions, but each of the vehicles has like a GPS built in and a tracker built in. So it's kind of easy. They give you a map, they kind of talk to you about where to go. But I was surprised that even as we're driving, like I would get lost in a second, you would think. But she was easily following GPS.   [00:44:43.600] - Tamara Gruber But there were also times when you come across like a trail map and they'd be like, you are here. And it was so different things. So that's good.   [00:44:49.750] - Tamara Gruber Yeah, they really maintain them nicely.   [00:44:51.610] - Kim Tate It sounds kind of funny, but there's some show on TV and I don't even know what it is, but it's like the I don't know what they would be called, but they're like the police officers that take care of nature, OK, or whatever. Yeah. Some kind. And they have the show. I remember it being in Maine and they were talking about it was there was a bunch of ATV drivers and they were talking about all the trails and like their speed limits on the trails and yeah.   [00:45:14.710] - Kim Tate Like a whole trail system. And it was kind of it seems like it's a major it's almost like it seems like it's like cross-country ski trails during the winter and then in the summer. Snowmobiling. Yeah. Or snowmobiles. Yeah. So they turn out that's what it probably is, a snowmobiles and they turn on ATVs in the summer. So it's kind of cool how they it's such a big part of their life out there.   [00:45:35.860] - Tamara Gruber Yeah. I was talking to Riley from Shrimpton village and she was saying that it's actually winter was always there big season for snowmobiling, but summer is now becoming like just as big or even bigger. And it's longer season, obviously, you know, for ATV and Hannah and I did something similar to this, like a couple of years ago up in northern New Hampshire. We went up and we did a little cabin in a place, you know, did kind of guided tours, you know, and we actually crossed over into Vermont for the day and had lunch and came back.   [00:46:03.400] - Tamara Gruber And, you know, it was really neat. So it's definitely some of these towns, like there's just not a lot of other stuff there, you know, so like this has become both their recreation and a way to bring in tourism. . And I think of like my nephew loves ATVing, you know, like he would love to go up there and do that, kind of like for me, you know, an hour or two of bumping around and I'm OK.   [00:46:25.780] - Tamara Gruber But, you know, some people are like, really love it. And I also like, how fast can we go? How much, how dirty can we get that stuff. Yeah, but like like they brought me up to the top of I think it was called Robert's Mountain and, you know, really beautiful view. She's like, we love to watch sunset here. But then on the way back we encounter a lot of moose. And again, that that's OK.   [00:46:45.130] - Tamara Gruber I do not want to be on the ATV trails at night, but she said those things I like really good lights and all that. So I'm like, OK, I mean, you know, so if you're into that, it's definitely a great place to go for it. But there's also like plenty of other hiking and stuff to do nearby, of course.   [00:47:00.250] - Kim Tate Yeah.   [00:47:00.730] - Tamara Gruber Yeah. So because it's so there's this new national monument called Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. So if you think about like the national park system, like National Park is like the most well known. But then there's all these other types of public land, right, the historical monuments and, you know,   [00:47:17.480] - Kim Tate That's like that white sands, I always got thrown that it was a national monument, but now it's a national park.   [00:47:23.670] - Tamara Gruber Now it's a national park. Exactly. Yeah. So it is. They told me it's very rough and I didn't know exactly what that meant. But basically it means that there's really not like facilities there.   [00:47:33.810] - Kim Tate So I mean infrastructure. Yeah, there's no visitor center and bathrooms and stuff like that.   [00:47:37.230] - Tamara Gruber Exactly. It's more about I mean it's it's newly designated. So I'm sure some of that will develop over time. But it's also an international dark sky preserve and newly has that designation too. And that's like actually I think it might be a sanctuary. So there's levels there's like a sanctuary preserve community. There's like different designations for dark sky, but it is known for its dark skies. So I don't think they want to develop it too too much. But it's good for like if you want to do backcountry camping and stargazing or if you did want to do some like a real back country, like hiking.   [00:48:14.340] - Tamara Gruber But I will say, like I so the first night that I was up there, I drove in and I was meeting an astronomer from Dark Sky Maine to do some stargazing because I was a little nervous to just like wander out there on my own, like, where do I go? What do I do? And so I started driving into the park and it has like a 17 mile loop, I think 14 or 17. And they told me it would take like two hours to do the whole loop.   [00:48:39.030] - Tamara Gruber And I'm like, OK, you know, and wondering. But as I didn't realize, it's like ten miles, like just to get to the loop it felt like. And so and it's really rough. So there are a number of places where you would go, you know, up in this section of Maine and you and I experienced this to where it's really logging roads.   [00:48:57.240] - Kim Tate Yeah. You don't even know if it's a road. Yeah.   [00:48:59.460] - Tamara Gruber Yeah. So it is, you know, it's gravel but there's like there's different grades of gravel, like it is, you know, like there are big potholes, big chunks of rock, you know, like where if you, if you have a low clearance car like forget about it, like it's it's not happening for you. And so I'm bumping along this and I right before I went, I had my car serviced. I'm like, OK, we just did a whole lot of driving, going to make sure my car's like in good shape.   [00:49:24.780] - Tamara Gruber And they said like, oh, I think you need tires. And I'm like, really? Because I got tires right before you and I went to Maine two years ago. But I well, I didn't drive like 5000 miles, you know. Yeah. For one road trip. And then I've done all these other we drove to Florida, you know, like we have put on a lot of miles. And so I could think was what if I pop a tire out here?   [00:49:43.230] - Tamara Gruber There's no cell service. There's no one coming. I just have to walk, like, through the wilderness back. So I'm like, you know, I'm just going to wait. I'm just going to wait over here, you know, for the person I'm meeting and he's going to drive me in. So that's what I did. So I would say, like, it is a place to go, like if that is what you're looking for.   [00:50:01.860] - Tamara Gruber But just be aware, you know, when it comes to services that that's what it is. I actually totally because I was reading a blog post recently and it said you could see lots of monuments there like you were there.   [00:50:18.570] - Tamara Gruber Yes. Because it's called the National Monument. Does not mean there are monuments there.   [00:50:22.470] - Kim Tate Exactly. It's not like Washington, D.C.. Yeah, that's crazy.   [00:50:26.610] - Tamara Gruber So I'm like, OK, blogger, start to make sure you've actually been there.   [00:50:30.390] - Kim Tate But anyway. Don't write for SEO, write for helping people.   [00:50:33.420] - Tamara Gruber Yeah, exactly. So at least our listeners know that we're going to give it straight. Right. You know. Yeah, I really feel. But we went out there and we saw a beautiful sunset over the mountain because we stopped this overlook overlooking Mt Katahdin and then they clouded it up. So I was like, I am such a bad.   [00:50:53.430] - Kim Tate You have such bad luck with it.   [00:50:59.250] - Tamara Gruber I mean, at least we got this. I got to see the northern lights. Normally every time I've done stargazing, you know, it rains or it clouds up. So we hung out for a while. I mea

Host Brian Bickford delivers a special Father's Day introduction as the Blanchard Family episode is replayed. This family of siblings climbs Mount Katahdin every winter to honor the memory of their father.

Strange and Scary Mysteries of the Month is a compilation of the weird, disturbing and downright baffling stories currently happening in our world. From UFOs to serial killers, ancient sites, mysterious creatures and even ghosts – these are the strange & Scary Mysteries for May 2021.

After publishing his second novel “Secret Atlanta: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful and Obscure,” author Jonah McDonald became known for exposing Atlanta's best-kept secrets. An adventure guide, author, TV host, storyteller and Dekalb County Park Ranger, McDonald's avid curiosity brings him into the studio today for the Around Atlanta segment of the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to talk about his two novels, “Secret Atlanta: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful and Obscure” and “Hiking Atlanta's Hidden Forests: Inside and Out.” McDonald's love for nature and the outdoors is no secret. To get to where he is today, he actually walked from Mount Katahdin, Maine to Atlanta, Georgia in 2003. After hiking 2,172.4 miles on the Appalachian Trail, McDonald decided Georgia would be his home. McDonald describes the inspiration behind “Secret Atlanta: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful and Obscure,” as something similar to attending a dinner party. When everyone is gathered around the table and the conversation is lagging – what is the next step? To ask an awesome question. McDonald finds the best dinner party question to be, “What do you know about Atlanta that I don't know?” The responses from this question opened his world to an Atlanta he had never before seen. Hoping to do the same for others, McDonald made it his mission to find the city's hidden secrets and make them not so secret any longer. “Usually when you think about secrets, you think about something that divides people. I believe that by sharing each other's stories, sharing the secret, that an everyday thing in your life that I don't know about and that I have never heard of, connects us,” said McDonald. “Secret Atlanta: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful and Obscure” consists of 90 stories rooted in specific Atlanta locations. While many of the stories are weird and wonderful, others are mundane and will appeal to more laid-back souls. There are many surprises waiting for readers, including a Sweet Auburn hair salon and museum to a forgotten elep hant graveyard. McDonald's first novel, “Hiking Atlanta's Hidden Forests: Inside and Out,” encourages people to get out and explore the city's hidden forests. Atlanta is a city full of pavement, interstates and high rises but there are plenty of trails for hikers to traverse. With a total of 60 hikes, the novel serves as Atlanta's first guidebook dedicated entirely to intown and close-in neighborhoods. “It can be just as life-changing to integrate nature into your everyday life by finding the green space that's close to you or finding that trail around the corner and going back there season after season,” said McDonald. As McDonald moves forward, he plans to write a sequel to his first novel which will include 60 more trails. He is excited to dive back into the city's hiking movement and see what more there is to learn. https://youtu.be/FQ3Sum0R-n8 Visit McDonald's website to learn more about his current projects or to buy a novel. Never miss an episode of Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio! Subscribe to the podcast here. You can also get a recap of any past episode on the Radio page. Georgia Residential Mortgage Licensee, License #22564. NMLS ID #6606. Subject to borrower and property qualifications. Not all applicants will qualify. New American Funding and Jonah McDonald are not associated. Click here to view the terms and conditions of the products mentioned during the show. Corporate office 14511 Myford Rd., Suite 100, Tustin, CA 92780. Phone: (800) 450-2010. (May/2021) New American Funding is a family-owned mortgage lender with a servicing portfolio of over 123,000 loans for $30.4 billion, 198 branches, and about 3,100 employees. The company offers several niche loan products and has made Inc. 5000's list of Fastest-Growing Companies in America six times. It has a state-of-the-art career training facility and develops innovative technology,

On Episode 35 of the Get the F*ck Off Podcast, I am so excited to bring on a friend of mine, Stephanie Langner, who sold her house, left her job of 11 years as a Middle School teacher, and is one month away from flying west to begin her trek from Canada to Mexico on the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail. This is not her first long-distance backpacking adventure, having hiked the Appalachian Trail back in 2016. Much of this episode focuses on the powerful mindset shifts that had to take place for Stephanie to complete such an incredible feat. Episode Notes: We begin the episode with the origins of how Stephanie got into long-distance backpacking, and the way the universe greeted her during her first moments on trail. She chose to hike southbound (not the traditional way many hikers choose to go because of the difficulty of the terrain) and spent her first day hiking to summit Maine's Mount Katahdin in a severe thunderstorm, where she ended up climbing up rocks as water torrented down upon her and aiding an injured vcamp counselor. She didn't reach the summit the first day, and on day two, headed back again, 210 lbs, in the worst physical shape she'd be over the entire five months, attacking the most difficult of terrain. She reached the summit, and ended up getting lost on her way down, and rolling her ankle. Many people would just give up, but Stephanie and her friend “True Friend” instead began a practice called “the River of Gratitude” to reframe all of her negative thoughts. She also insisted to practice gratitude when she was “at her most crankiest.” 23:20 Stephanie talks about “learning to love an uphill climb,” as she says it lets her know exactly where she is with her mindset. “If there's any place my inner critic is going to come out, it's on an uphill climb.” 24:30 We talked about Stephanie's long-time searching for some semblance of spirituality. At 25, she went to a 200-hour Yoga training in Costa Rica, and she says that while she is still in the process of defining spirituality, there are two places she feels it the most: on her Yoga mat and out in nature. 26:25 There's a beautiful culture that exists on the AT. She talks about the kindness and propensity for helping one another. We talk about “trail angels” which are townspeople who “pop up exactly when you need them and offer exactly what you need that you didn't know you needed.” When burning thousands of calories a day and living out of a backpack, they're true angels indeed. 31:00 If anyone is seeking less in their lives and looking to move into a more minimalistic way of life, at this part of the episode Stephanie talks about letting go of a lifetime of learning to hoard, as she finds she is the happiest when out in nature living out of a backpack. 34:39 Upon completing the AT, Stephanie knew immediately she wanted to hike the PCT, and 2020 was the year she decided. When the COVID-19 pandemic started, the PCT Association asked permit holders to consider staying home. Having neglected her hip injury for many years (she even ran the brutal 2019 Marine Corps Marathon with the hip injury in some of the most adverse conditions one can experience,) she decided to go to the doctor and let what she found out make her decision. …she needed hip surgery. She had to make many difficult decisions, also, in addition to putting off her hike. She had the option to stay with family, but she knew that environment would not be the most conducive to her full recovery. After all, as she mentions, she didn't even acknowledge how seriously hurt she was due to having her pain minimized throughout her life by loved ones. As she says at 36:42, “how fucked up in the head am I if I can tear things off the bone and tell myself it's OK.” Having already sold her house, she moved into a small apartment and made recovery her full-time job. 41:00 Stephanie talks about how part of her first hike on the AT was learning how to get unstuck, because she was stuck in a lot of heavy emotions. She also gives listeners of the Get the F*ck Off Podcast suggestions for getting unstuck.45:00 If you want to know about peeing, pooping, or getting your period while hiking for months on end, we get into it at this point of the podcast. 1:00 We end the podcast on a note about spirituality and long-distance backpacking. In her beautiful words, “I feel insignificant, but in a really reassuring way.” I loved this entire conversation and I hope you all will leave it feeling as inspired and awake as I did. If you're looking to follow Stephanie's adventure on the PCT over the next few months, she can be found on Instagram @mountainsoflearning, and at http://www.mountainsoflearning.com/

In this episode, I interview Michael Kellett, Executive Director of Restore the North Woods, a non-profit environmental group working in Maine with the mission of creating a new national park near Mount Katahdin. We talk about his early years, his time spent working for The Wilderness Society on the east coast, the founding and vision of Restore, the story about the creation of the first national monument in Maine, the history and culture of New England landscapes and its working forests (i.e. logging), a vision for hundreds of new national parks across the country and how new national parks and wilderness areas should fit within the 30x30 Campaign. Support the show (http://www.wildernesspodcast.com/support)

In September, 2021 LTC Doug Sweet will transition out of the Army. Sweet has seen multiple combat tours, and now he wants “The Last Mile” of his military career to be an adventure in which he serves others. Doug will hike the entire 2,193 mile-long Appalachian Trail beginning Thursday Feb 25­. We chatted with him the day before flying to Georgia to start his journey from Springer Mountain. Doug will hike until June 2021 when he reaches Mount Katahdin in Maine. LTC Sweet's effort will be to raise funds and raise awareness for veterans homelessness. His fundraising effort will benefit DC’s Miriam’s Kitchen. The goal is $100,000. Come On Lets Help Him Out! Learn more and get involved at MiriamsKitchen.org From Real.Fun.DC. “The Tommy + Kelly Show” is produced in Washington, DC providing news, culture, playful conversation, positive energy, and a dose of morning fun any time. Download the Real.Fun.DC. APP to check out our wide array of programming app.RealFunDC.com Follow Kelly Collis Instagram and Twitter: @CityShopGirl LinkedIN: Kelly Collis Follow Tommy McFLY Twitter: @TommyMcFLY Instagram: @MrTommyMcFLY LinkedIN: Tommy McFLY

In 2006 Sophia became the first African American and first Black woman to climb Mount Everest in the Himalayas.   Sophia first major climb was at Mt Rainier in Washington State in 2002.  Over the next two years she climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mt Baker, and Mt Kenya.     In 2005 she scaled five peaks: Grand Teton, Mount Katahdin, Mount Denali, Mount Tasman, and Ama Dablam.   During this episode Sophia shares more about her passion for mountaineering and how her climbing evolved. Sophia talks about her Mt. Everest experience and what it was like on the mountain for summit day. She shares advice and top tips to help you achieve your goals.   New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday and Thursday at 7am UK time - Make sure you hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out.    The Tough Girl Podcast is sponsorship and ad free thanks to the monthly financial support of patrons. To find out more about supporting your favourite podcast and becoming a patron please check out www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.   Show notes Having an unusual childhood and growing up between Japan and the USA Not being sporty but spending time in the outdoors Not growing up with indoor plumbing Moving to Chicago in the middle of winter at age 6 The culture shock of moving countries Going back to visit Japan after college and living there for 4 years Her passion for the mountains  Learning to climb outdoors  Being inspired by her friend to go and climb Mt. Rainier in Washington State Using all her holidays to climb Why she loves spending time in the mountains 4 years before climbing Mt. Everest Feeling free to fail  The challenges faced while climbing Going to climb Cho Oyo (sixth-highest mountain in the world at 8,188 metres (26,864 ft) above sea level) How the Mt. Everest climb came about Making the decision to climb… Giving herself permission to fail The reactions of friends and family  Dealing with the paperwork for Mt, Everest The Body Disposal Form What happens if you die on the mountain Fears….. or feeling scared? What summit night was like Reaching the summit of Mt. Everest!  Moving at pace on the mountain and using the smaller oxygen tanks Breaking trail through the snow  Climbing with International Mountain Guides (IMG)  Doing yoga and meditation  Dealing with a few back problems Advice for women and girls who want to get into mountain climbing    Social Media    Website www.danenberg.org    Instagram @sophiaclimbs  

Oh, good morning. So you've once again stumbled upon Albert and Ryan's sideshow pod. Yes, from the boys who have been bringing you Don't Be An Idiom for three whole years, it's Do Be A Monster. In this third installment of monster mania, the boys go a-huntin' for some serious beasts. Come travel to Northeast England for a slimey time with the legendary Lambton Worm and take a climb up Mount Katahdin to hang with the great and terrible Pamola. Monster Court is officially in session. Thwapp!

Everything you need to know about hiking the Northern Terminus of the Appalachian Trail: What to expect, what to wear, and of course, pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. Instagram: @rachaeluniverse Read about hiking Mount Katahdin on my blog rachaelsuniverse.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/rachael-shek/support

Dwight Davis was born in Cedartown, Georgia. His father was a pastor and his mother took care of the home and family. They lived in the country, near both sets of grandparents. Dwight was influenced by his father and two grandfathers to guide him as he grew to be a man, husband, and father. Dwight learned to love the outdoors from his father. Dwight learned to garden as a small child from his grandfather. He started working at a business cleaning service when he was 12 and then, during his junior and senior years in high school, worked 40 hours a week for two years as a machinist. After high school, Dwight went to Shorter College, now Shorter University, where he met his wife on the first day. In college, Dwight worked several days a week at a men's clothing store, where he learned the importance of a professional appearance and how to dress for church.   Dwight graduated from Shorter College with a Natural Sciences degree in Biology and Chemistry. Dwight says if you follow the science, it will lead you to God. Dwight applied to several medical schools but changed his mind when he saw the many hours away from his family that being a doctor would take. Dwight married in 1985.   In Dwight's junior and senior year summers of college, he had worked for Georgia Power at Plant Bowen. That led to a career at Georgia Power.Dwight and his wife had twin girls. Dwight tells how he and his wife managed their work schedules to be with the twins. Dwight still found time to be in the woods, with his wife's support. On a week-long hike with friends in college, Dwight had crossed the Appalachian Trail or A.T. From that day, he had a dream to hike the A.T. from Georgia to Maine. Dwight receives physical, mental, and spiritual benefits from hiking.For 32 years, Dwight worked for Georgia Power, keeping in mind Colossians 3:23, “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;” KJV. When he prepared to retire and hike the A.T., he prayed to do it for God's glory, and it all came together.   About 20 to 30 percent of those who start the through-hike on the A.T. complete it. It takes around eight months with a willingness to persevere. Dwight documented his walk on YouTube under the name Sleeves. Dwight started his through-hike right before he turned 55. He started in February 2018, at the terminus in North Georgia. Dwight had a great send-off crew to see him start. He didn't see any mountain views as it was pouring rain the entire time. The trail was a river. Sixty miles into the hike, Dwight was discouraged by his slow progress but he received an answer to prayer that he was exactly where he needed to be. Most days, Dwight hiked 15 to 20 miles with a full pack of about 35 pounds of provisions. Dwight wanted to finish before winter weather. Dwight didn't hike on Sundays but made sure to be at a place where he could rest and worship the Lord.Dwight shares experiences of 14 states, starting in Georgia with Springer Mountain in cold, miserable rain, and then walking through snow almost up to his waist in the Great Smoky Mountains, and temperatures below zero Fahrenheit. Dwight feared that he could die. Dwight describes the cold mountain “balds” in North Carolina and the lack of cell phone service in Virginia. He was isolated. The excitement of getting started on the hike had turned into the routine of a job.Dwight's wife sent pre-packed boxes of supplies to shelters along the way as he planned to reach them. He felt accountability toward his wife and the support team. It started raining in Virginia and continued through West Virginia. The bridge over the Potomac River was closed from high water. Dwight was wet and miserable. He was facing tremendous mental adversity.   In Maryland, Dwight slipped on a wet boulder and landed on his knee. The more he walked, the more it hurt. He took two ibuprofen every four hours and walked for twelve hours every day. He walked 150 miles after he fell and made it to Pennsylvania. He stopped to rest in a hotel for a few days, but the pain got worse. He hobbled to an urgent care clinic across the street. The doctor told him his hike was over and his left leg was broken. Dwight was devastated. He rented a car and drove home to see an orthopedic surgeon. After six weeks of elevating his leg, with the doctor's caution to listen to his body, he got a ride from his parents back to Pennsylvania and started walking. He walked 40 miles and could not go on from the pain. He called his parents; they were still in Pennsylvania, waiting to make sure he was doing well, so they picked him up. Dwight knows this setback didn't surprise God. God was protecting him and preparing him for something.The more Dwight thought about God's protection, the more peace he felt. Instead of completing the through-hike, he would finish the hike the next year from where he left, near Palmer, Pennsylvania. He stopped thinking about what he could do and started thinking about what God could do through him. Dwight kept off his leg and then started training again. The hardest thing was to be inactive. He continued posting his YouTube videos. His connection to the trail was that he kept his hair uncut. If he cut it, it would be saying, “It's over.”   After healing, Dwight conditioned for weeks by hiking 20 miles or more with a pack daily. His wife and daughter drove him back to Pennsylvania and he hiked again.Dwight shares highlights from the states on the A.T. New Jersey is beautiful. New York had horrible source water Dwight found but local people would set gallons of water at the side of the trail for hikers. He could see New York City from the trail. Connecticut was amazing, walking for miles next to the Housatonic River. In Massachusetts, Mount Graylock began the last chapter of the journey. Dwight felt better and moved faster than he had in 2018. On Mount Everett, Dwight was distracted picking blueberries and almost stepped on a huge rattlesnake! Massachusetts was also loaded with mosquitoes that choked him as he breathed. In Vermont, snowmelt made the trail muddy. Vermont trails also went straight up mountains instead of having switchbacks and the trail was eroded to the rocks. New Hampshire has epic mountains he climbed on his hands and knees. Dwight went slowly to experience the beauty of God's creation. There were huts above the treeline where hikers could work for lodging. Maine is rugged and beautiful. It has the toughest mile of the trail, the Mahoosuc Notch, a valley filled with massive boulders that can take four hours to get through. The day before Dwight arrived, a hiker with a broken had to be evacuated. There were windy, rocky mountain balds to climb. Dwight made it to Mount Katahdin in Baxter State Park and it hit him that he had made it almost to the terminus. He got a permit when he arrived and started up Mount Katahdin the next morning to the terminus.Dwight had a heart of thanksgiving, being able to fulfill his hiking dream the way God wanted. Some people hike the trail searching for answers. If you don't have a higher purpose in life, you can end in a bad place. The trail isn't the answer. God is the answer. Dwight lives by the motto “Keep hiking,” which means keep at it and don't give up. Keep living, keep dreaming.   Jim states that perseverance is part of God's plan to develop character. God has a purpose for you. We are not our own, but we are His, bought with a price. Jim affirms Dwight humbly accepting God's way to accomplish his goal and not destroying himself or his marriage by pushing on through his injury. Jim honors Dwight's wife for supporting and helping him accomplish this task.When Dwight felt low and wanted to quit, God showed up. Dwight has many stories about God's blessings that helped him persevere. He learned five life lessons from his trip: God's faithfulness is sufficient. God's appointments are intentional. God's thoughts are higher than my thoughts and His ways are higher than my ways. God's will is for me to walk with Him because He's always walking with me. God's plan is for me to lift Him up, not myself. Dwight concludes that no matter how hard life is, you can persevere by walking with God. Jim affirms these life lessons and honors, Dwight, for how he prepares for everything he does.   Call to Action: Jim invites listeners to get out of their chairs in October 2020 and walk 100 miles in 50 hours around Sam Smith Park in Cartersville, Georgia. Train for it and walk with Jim and Sleeves. Develop habits that will carry over. Find our podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, rate it, subscribe, share it, and help us get this word out! Send Jim an email with your suggestions on guests.See our Website: MenBuildMen.comEmail: Info@MenBuildMen.com Marks of a Man on Facebook Jim Nicklas on InstagramSleeves — Dwight Davis on YouTube

The Appalachian Trail is a marked hiking trail in Eastern United States. It extends between Springer mountain in Georgia and Mount Katahdin in Maine. On July 2018 two men discovered the body of a man in a tent on the trail in Noble's Camp in Big Cypress National Preserve. He had no ID, no phone and no credit cards. In the tent with him he had a notebook, journal, supplies and cash. As of today he has still not been identified. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/crimepedia/message

The Appalachian Trail is a marked hiking trail in Eastern United States. It extends between Springer mountain in Georgia and Mount Katahdin in Maine. On July 2018 two men discovered the body of a man in a tent on the trail in Noble's Camp in Big Cypress National Preserve. He had no ID, no phone and no credit cards. In the tent with him he had a notebook, journal, supplies and cash. As of today he has still not been identified. If you know who Ben Bilemy/Denim/Mostly Harmelss is, or have any information, please contact the Collier County Sheriff's Office at (239) 252-9300.  Music featured in this episode: Mysterious Forest by WinnieTheMoog Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/6431-mysterious-forest License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/crimepedia/message

That’s right! After a longer than expected absence, Guide Dog Users Inc. is delighted to announce all new episodes of the Juno Report. This month’s episode features the luncheon presentation from the 2019 Guide Dog Users Inc. convention. Learn about GDUI Treasurer Lynn Merrill’s lifelong dream to climb Maine’s highest peak, Mount Katahdin and how she did exactly this with the help of her guide dog, her family, and an instructor from Fidelco Guide Dog foundation. This is a presentation you won’t want to miss even if you have no particular interest in guide dogs. It’s just fabulous! The Juno Report for October also includes some announcements, and the highlights of the GDUI awards presentation from the 2019 convention. The Juno Report airs on ACB Radio Mainstream on Thursdays at 4AM, 7AM, 4PM, and 7PM (eastern). It also plays on Sundays at 9PM and Mondays at 12AM, 9AM and 12PM (eastern.) It then appears in this podcast feed in approximately one week.

That’s right! After a longer than expected absence, Guide Dog Users Inc. is delighted to announce all new episodes of the Juno Report. This month’s episode features the luncheon presentation from the 2019 Guide Dog Users Inc. convention. Learn about GDUI Treasurer Lynn Merrill’s lifelong dream to climb Maine’s highest peak, Mount Katahdin and how she did exactly this with the help of her guide dog, her family, and an instructor from Fidelco Guide Dog foundation. This is a presentation you won’t want to miss even if you have no particular interest in guide dogs. It’s just fabulous! The Juno Report for October also includes some announcements, and the highlights of the GDUI awards presentation from the 2019 convention. The Juno Report airs on ACB Radio Mainstream on Thursdays at 4AM, 7AM, 4PM, and 7PM (eastern). It also plays on Sundays at 9PM and Mondays at 12AM, 9AM and 12PM (eastern.) It then appears in this podcast feed in approximately one week.

That’s right! After a longer than expected absence, Guide Dog Users Inc. is delighted to announce all new episodes of the Juno Report. This month’s episode features the luncheon presentation from the 2019 Guide Dog Users Inc. convention. Learn about GDUI Treasurer Lynn Merrill’s lifelong dream to climb Maine’s highest peak, Mount Katahdin and how she did exactly this with the help of her guide dog, her family, and an instructor from Fidelco Guide Dog foundation. This is a presentation you won’t want to miss even if you have no particular interest in guide dogs. It’s just fabulous! The Juno Report for October also includes some announcements, and the highlights of the GDUI awards presentation from the 2019 convention. The Juno Report airs on ACB Radio Mainstream on Thursdays at 4AM, 7AM, 4PM, and 7PM (eastern). It also plays on Sundays at 9PM and Mondays at 12AM, 9AM and 12PM (eastern.) It then appears in this podcast feed in approximately one week.

On today’s episode of the #STRIVECast, we interview the director of Maine’s Crown Jewel, Baxter State Park! Jeff and Noel sit down with Park Director Eben Sypitkowski. We learn all about the Park’s history, as well as why we don’t need to use the word “Mount” when talking about Mount Katahdin! Then we chat all about Wilderness Safety tips during the Question of the Week, and Jeff gives all you sports fan a Red Sox update during Yacking With You. Lots of laughs this episode...We hope you enjoy!

Frozen from the Youtube Channel Outdoor Adventures joins the show this week to talk about his recent thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. We jump all around in this episode and got to cover many topics pertaining to thru-hiking, vlogging, and life on the trail. Frozen talks about some of the good and bad parts about being an Appalachian Trail vlogger, how thru-hiking was able to bring out a more extroverted side of his personality, and how he proposed to his then-girlfriend on top of Mount Katahdin, soon after completing his hike!  Please consider making a donation of any size to the Trail Tales 46 Climbs team, raising money for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: https://afsp.donordrive.com/participant/1975017 Like what you hear? Want to talk some smack? You can contact me on Twitter, Instagram, or send me an email: trailtalespod@gmail.com If you're really into Trail Tales and want to receive some bonus content, please consider supporting the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/trailtales.  Feel free to leave me a five-star review on iTunes (I read every one at the beginning of the next episode), and subscribe if you like the show! My personal Instagram is @kylehateshiking, so feel free to follow me on there as well.  Subscribe on iTunes, and listen on Google Play and Stitcher!

The HWYRT gang packed up the bus and took on the 3rd Annual Crankle 2K and the Millinocket Half Marathon with grace and aplomb (and a boot). Join us for this intimate conversation recorded the morning after the big race as we review the chill-filled days we spent in the shadow of Mount Katahdin. Special guests include AiR Andrea Bonney Gould, SMG Anna Brooks, and HWYRT neighbors Will and Kris. PS: this episode is 100% Igor Babushkin-free.  www.HWYRT.com

In march of 2017 as a 13 year old Milo and his mother set of north bound on the Appalachian Trail a 2,200 mile through hike. Six months later now 14, "Little Bad Ass" had reached Mount Katahdin in Maine. Along the way Milo had some ideas to create the perfect pack to fit his needs for fast packing and through hiking. From this adventure Little River Packs was born. Now living in New Mexico, Milo is home schooled and most days he's busy being an entrepreneur working on producing his current designs and custom building packs for other through hikers and adventures. Be sure to check out Milo's designs @ https://www.littleriverpacks.com and see them in action on instagram @little_river_packs

In march of 2017 as a 13 year old Milo and his mother set of north bound on the Appalachian Trail a 2,200 mile through hike. Six months later now 14, "Little Bad Ass" had reached Mount Katahdin in Maine. Along the way Milo had some ideas to create the perfect pack to fit his needs for fast packing and through hiking. From this adventure Little River Packs was born. Now living in New Mexico, Milo is home schooled and most days he's busy being an entrepreneur working on producing his current designs and custom building packs for other through hikers and adventures. Be sure to check out Milo's designs @ https://www.littleriverpacks.com and see them in action on instagram @little_river_packs

I know you don't tell other people that you've had that experience, that one singular time when you were alone in your house and it happened: something inexplicable. Maybe it was when your parents first thought you were old enough to be left alone without a babysitter and told you that they would only be out for a little while. You'd had the drill - don't open the door to strangers, don't try to use the stove, keep the door locked and just be good - everything would be okay and they would be back before you knew it. You remember, don't you, that time? It was nighttime in the autumn and you were glad to have the house to yourself, even excited by the prospect. But as the minutes turn into an hour and then another hour, you begin to feel the weight of the evening growing on your shoulders and soon enough, it begins to dawn on you that, no, it can't be, you know it's impossible, but you could swear that you're not alone in the house. First you just feel it, the way you feel it when you know you're being watched. Then, you think you hear it, think you hear it because you're not sure and you strain to listen and finally, you think you hear it again: that soft, clicking sound, that squeak from the loose floorboard upstairs, and your heart begins to pound like a hammer in your chest. Somehow, you're not alone in the house. You know it. You begin to panic, but at the same time to tell yourself over and over, “No, it can't be, I know no one has come in since my parents left.” You almost convince yourself and then, like a clock striking midnight, you see something from the corner of your eye and the darkness grows and you...yes, you...know that you are no longer safe. Something wants to get you. It's almost at your throat. I know you remember. I do. Most of us have the moment of terror etched into our memory like a tattoo on a biker's arm. We're addicted to the memory because, though we never actually made true contact with that thing that came after us, we remember the sheer terror as we ran to the door when we heard our parent's car turn into the driveway and we knew that somehow, Mom and Dad would send the evil away and we would miraculously be saved from...what? Saved from the monster in the dark? Saved from the ghost who seeks revenge? Or perhaps, we were saved from a spirit who didn't wish to harm us at all. Perhaps we were frightened by something that didn't mean to frighten us at all. Ghosts might just be that part of our imagination that reminds us of our own soul. Real or not, they haunt our thoughts, especially on dark, cold nights when we're alone. We all have our ghosts. Strangely enough, there are times we will even invite the ghost in to stay awhile, so we can bask in the truth that there is life after death. Perhaps our ghosts are only memories we can see, after all, but real enough for all of that. The northern city of Brewer, Maine has a ghost. All old towns do, especially ones like Brewer. This was a mill town, full of working men and women and their families. The folks of Brewer made ships that sailed the seven seas, bricks that built the cities of Boston and New York, and fine paper that filled the offices of senators and Wall Street magnates. Brewer was a town of workers, but on the weekend, it was a town of worshipers. It wasn't so long ago that one man in particular led his flock like Moses through the desert: Father Thomas Moriarty of St. Joseph's Parish. A former hammer-thrower at Boston College, this great mountain of a man was a worker, too - doing God's work, keeping his parishioners on the straight and narrow, guiding his sheep with a stern but loving hand. In the mid 1920s, Father Moriarty was the kind of priest you rarely see today, a warrior of the Lord, a man of great stature and even larger personality. He impacted the lives of his parishioners deeply, and not just on the Sabbath. Father Thomas Moriarty was there to baptize you, to help you through your childhood, to administer the sacrament of marriage and finally, to give you extreme unction so your soul might pass easily from this world to the next. But he was also there to make sure your family was treated fairly, that you had enough to eat and that you didn't freeze in the winter. He noticed things - he paid attention. Father Moriarty was a true believer. This was the time when the Ku Klux Klan had a large presence in the State of Maine, except they weren't discriminating and threatening African Americans - there simply weren't enough people of color in Brewer to warrant the KKK's interference in that manner. No, their target was the Irish and French-Canadian Catholics who largely made up the congregation of St. Joseph's. The story is told that one evening after he arrived in Brewer in 1926, Father Moriarty met with the local branch of the KKK as they paraded to his own doorstep in the small hours of the evening. Father Moriarty could not have been surprised. Crosses were burned on many a lawn in Maine in the twenties. The Irish had a long history of hardship in this part of the state. Back in the 1850s during the Know Nothing Movement, the Irish laborers who built St. John's Catholic Church on the other side of the river in Bangor had to work at night and under guard to safeguard their work. It wasn't unusual for the Catholics to have to stand their ground in this Bangor-Brewer area, but rarely did one man stand against so many. Imagine him then,a man in a long, black cassock and priest collar, burly as a Rugby player and as stalwart as Mount Katahdin standing his ground as a group of white-cassocked men challenge him to leave Brewer. Father Moriarty's charge from his bishop was to establish the Church of St. Joseph, to found a new parish, and to help guide it through its birthing pains. There was no way that he was going to stand these white-clad klansmen trying to stop God's work. Rolling up his sleeves, he was ready to take and then give back in style anything they had to offer. He told them to leave and never come back. One can imagine him standing his ground like Moses against the armies of Pharaoh, a stalwart defender of his people and his faith. We don't know exactly what was said, but they never troubled Father Moriarty again. The church was founded and that was largely because of the actions of one man of devotion, strength and a will of iron. Father Thomas H. Moriarty was an Irishman who did not suffer fools and errant parishioners lightly. If you missed mass, you would be asked about it and you'd better have a good reason. However, if you needed anything, food, money for the doctor, a new coat for the harsh Maine winters, like the father figure he was, Moriarty made sure you were not forgotten. In the end, he served the people of St. Joseph's in Brewer for over forty years growing old in their service. Even into his old age, he said Mass daily and continued to take part in the life of the community. It was said that he was a driven man, perhaps to the point where he frightened his flock, but as ever, everyone knew that it was better to have him on your side than not. Father Moriarty was a fixture in the lives of the people of North Brewer until his death in 1969. When he died, his funeral service was held in the very church he founded. However, it seems that the good man's work on this planet was not yet over. Strange things began to happen - strange things indeed. Father Moriarty had been the elder priest, the monseigneur of the parish, while a younger man, Father Richard Rice, took over the management and major duties until Father Moriarty's replacement arrived. Two days before his funeral and burial, Father Rice was in the rectory. He was sitting in the rectory across from the church one late afternoon, trying to catch up on some tedious paperwork. He wasn't alone: a young priest had been sent to Brewer by the bishop to help. Feeling tired, the young priest lay down on the bed in his room to take a quick nap before evening service while Father Rice worked on paperwork in his office. “It was at about one in the afternoon when I heard some footsteps on the floor above me. It sounded to me like pacing back and forth, such as a priest does saying his breviary, or his daily office. The footsteps continued for twenty minutes or so, and I thought that the pastor had woken from his nap was was saying his prayers. I went to the bottom of the stairs and I looked up, but saw that the custodian was working outside of the church, so I knew it couldn't be he who was making the noise. Then I thought it might have been a visiting priest in town for Father Moriarty's funeral service, so I went upstairs to greet him. When I got to the bedroom where the noise was coming from, though, I found it empty.” Inexplicable? Old houses breathe. They sway a little in the wind. Their floors sing when stepped upon. The sun warms the roof and when it begins to go down, the timbers snap and complain as they cool down. But Father Rice heard footsteps from a walker who simply wasn't there. Curious. But he didn't have time to linger - there were confessions to hear and a Mass to celebrate. At dinner, Father Rice asked the young napping priest if he had heard the footsteps. “Oh, that was probably Father Moriarty,” replied the priest.Father Rice smiled. The old priest had been his friend, his grandfather figure, his mentor. It gave him a little comfort to think that perhaps the old man was lingering before going to his eternal reward. But to his chagrin, the next few weeks saw a rash of unexplained events happening in the old rectory. More footsteps were heard, drawers mysteriously opening and closing, and that back-of-the-neck hair-raising feeling that someone is watching you continued to be reported. For the next seven years, strange occurrences continued to happen in the rectory of St. Joseph's. There is nothing Catholic theology that denies the existence of ghosts. The church is based upon a basic belief in the supernatural and until recently, at least one of the three in the Trinity was referred to as ‘the Holy Ghost.' The word ghost comes to us from the German geist and means spirit. Peter Kreeft, a philosophy professor at Boston College, writes that, “The dead often do appear to the living. There is enormous evidence of ‘ghosts' in all cultures.” Kreeft says that there is “no contradiction” between ghosts and Catholic theology. “Ghosts appear on earth, but do not live on earth any longer,” he says. “They are either in heaven, hell, or purgatory.” According to Dr. Kreeft, if Father Moriarty lingered, he was not really there, merely a kind of projection. But this projection kept himself busy over the years to come. In 1976 a new rectory was built and the old one was sold to Dr. John H. Hart, a local chiropractor. When he bought the place, it was made clear to him that he was also buying a ghost. Dr. Hart didn't seem to care. But as happens with so many people who seem unperturbed at the commencement of events, things began to happen in the old rectory that were curious and inexplicable. “I don't believe in these things, “ said the good doctor. In the fullness of time, footsteps were heard running in the hallway in the small hours of the night when no one was downstairs. Dr. Hart attributed it to the banging of the heating pipes as they received fresh steam from the boiler in the basement. His wife heard voices when she was alone in the house, but because the house is nearby a very busy intersection, he reasoned it was merely the sound of passers-by. One night his wife had left a Corningware ‘unbreakable' plate on the sideboard full of fresh-baked cookies overnight. In the morning the cookies were all still there, but the plate shattered beneath them. However, he reasoned, all plates break, given the right pressure over time. He'd seen it happen before. But then visitors stayed overnight with the Hart family. One of Dr. Hart's college friends and his wife and baby were staying in the room at the head of the stairs. The child was in a portable rolling crib they had brought with them. The couple was awakened by the crying of their child, but when they rose from their bed in the small hours of the morning, the child was no longer in the room with them. Neither was the crib. They stepped into the long, dark hallway half mad with panic. In their excitement, they were brought to a full, gasping stop when inexplicably, the bathroom light at the end of the hall suddenly clicked on by an unseen hand. The light from the bathroom fell upon the child and her crib, in the hallway next to the bathroom door. There was no way the child could have moved itself and its crib out of the room, into the hallway and then down to the bathroom. It was impossible. Dr. Hart's wife insisted that they were not the only inhabitants of the house. The footsteps always seemed to come from the same place, the room at the top of the stairs. “He's pacing,” she explained to her skeptical husband, “he's walking back and forth in the room, over and over again.” For the remainder of the time they lived in the old rectory, they heard footsteps and other sounds, including the sound of running water though all of the faucets that were, of course, closed tight. The Harts moved out in 1980. There are things we believe because we have no choice and there are things we believe because we choose to believe. Does the spirit of the protective Father Moriarty haunt the old rectory of the church he founded in Brewer,Maine? Even in life, he was a protective spirit, a man of principle and honor - so might he still be on duty, even after he had the call from on high? There is one anecdote of note that is worth telling that seems to point to the old priest still shepherding his flock. In his 1989 book, Maine Ghosts and Legends, Thomas A. Verde relates the following tale: “Not long ago, a new family moved into Brewer. The wife was outside in her yard washing the windows of her new home when she noticed a priest walking across the lawn to greet her. He introduced himself and then asked whether she and her family were Catholic. “Yes,” she replied. “Yes, we are.” “Then why,” thundered the priest, “haven't I seen you down at church?” The woman apologized, saying that with all the chaos of moving in she hadn't had the time. The priest made her promise to be there with her family the following Sunday and went on his way. When the woman told her neighbor about the incident, the neighbor was a bit surprised. It didn't sound like the behavior of the current pastor at St. Joseph's. “What was the priest's name?” asked the neighbor. “Father Moriarty.” Today, the old parsonage where the lingering soul of Father Moriarty is rumored to ramble is an apartment house. It is said that no one stays long in the place, with a steady stream of people coming and going. One might wonder and ask why. Father Moriarty isn't the only spirit of a priest reported by their flock. The world over, there are tales that tell of servants of God whose work is not yet finished, who stay earthbound, for whatever reason they might have, reminding their old parish that they are still watching. Suffice it to say that Maine has its own resident priest spirit who does not yet rest in peace. One day, perhaps he will. References Kreeft, Peter. Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Heaven. Ignatius Press, 1990. Sarnaki, Aislinn, “Does a late priest's spirit still dwell in his Brewer church?” WGME.COM, 10/26/2016. Verde, Thomas A., Maine Ghosts & Legend: 26 Encounters with the Supernatural. 1989 Down East Books, Camden, Maine, pp.35-40.

In this special episode of Inside The Times, Nick Bowman and Forsyth County News reporter Alex Popp talk about Alex’s experience hiking the length of the Appalachian Trail, from Springer Mountain in North Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine. If you still want to know more about the Appalachian Trail (after you’ve listened to the entire podcast), go check out the Dahlonega Trail Fest starting Friday, Sept. 7. The festival is a celebration of all things hiking and AT. If you’ve enjoyed this podcast, you can get more exclusive content from The Times by subscribing. Stay up to date on events in your community, news affecting your life and the best source of honestly local information in Hall County. You can sign up for our morning and afternoon news emails and our weekly food and drink newsletter, Go.

My guest today is Erik Jarvi. Erik is an interesting dude that I met through my friend Luke Crawford, and besides just being a really cool guy, Erik just finished Thru-Hiking the 2,190 mile Appalachian Trail with his brother. The Appalachian Trail stretches from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine. The craziest part is he did it in just 105 days. Most people who attempt this incredible feat take much longer than that, sometimes up to 6 months, so doing it in about 3 months makes the whole thing even more impressive. During this episode Erik and I talked about Cars, Traveling, of course he tells the whole story of hiking the AT, and he also gives us some practical info on what you need to do if you want to hike the Appalachian Trail as well. If you want to follow Erik, you can check out his website ErikJarvi.com and his Instagram feed @EJarv1   If you would like to support the podcast, please rate 5 stars and review on iTunes. Music by Calvin Kraakevik

Tough Girl Daily - 31st March - #Interviews #YolkHold #Gym Not in the mood today… On my period and not wanting to do anything Interviewing Phoebe Smith at 9am Strength and conditioning at the gym Yolk hold - 100kg 30 seconds and 105 kg for 30 seconds Spoke to Jo Jo from 7 women - 7 challenges Planning to meet Jo Jo at Mount Katahdin and getting a lift to Boston Everything is coming along, feeling good Keeping the focus on the podcast and getting episodes pre loaded Being invited to speak at the Motorhomes and Caravan Show 2017 What should I charge? Asking for advice from Natalia Cohen & Sophie Radcliffe I think I’ve found my insurance - covermore.com £207 Change of plans for April spending- holding off on buying the tent and going to buy insurance and my backpack Get my tent in May Speaking gig in London 25th April - Diary of a Tough Girl £10 (2 tickets sold!) Plan for tomorrow - gym and editing xx

“He has no compunction about telling you how he’s screwing you,” is how one fisherman described the way the man known locally as “the Codfather” did business. This week, how one man gamed the system meant to keep New England fishing fair and sustainable. Plus, we talk gentrification in two very different Boston squares. And with the first hints of spring, we bring back the story of a grandma who conquered the Appalachian trail. Boats belonging to Carlos Rafael, AKA “the Codfather,” photographed in December 2016 in New Bedford, Mass. New Bedford, a historic whaling port, is now one of the most valuable fishing ports in the United States, with hundreds of millions of dollars worth of seafood brought in annually. Carlos Rafael, owner of Carlos Seafood and known as the “Codfather,” was one of the most successful commercial fishermen in New England. Photo by Tristan Spinksi for Mother Jones/FERN. Big Fish In Boston Federal court Thursday, Carlos Rafael, a man known as “the Codfather,” plead guilty to 28 counts of fraud. Charges against the fishing magnate included conspiracy, false entries involving labeling cod as haddock in order to avoid regulatory oversight, and cash smuggling. Rafael was a fishing magnate who controlled one fifth of New Bedford’s fishing fleet. He dominated the New England fishing industry with a bravado he likened to the Al Pacino character Scarface. It was that signature bravado that brought the Codfather down. Our guest is environmental reporter Ben Goldfarb, who covered Raphael for the Food and Environment Reporting Network in collaboration with Mother Jones Magazine. His article is entitled “The Deliciously Fishy Case of the Codfather.” We spoke with Ben earlier this week in New Haven, Connecticut. A Tale of Two Squares The Abbott Building at 5 JFK Street in Harvard Square Cambridge, Massachusetts, photographed in 2010. The Abbott has been bought by the investment firm Equity One. The firm plans to turn the property into a mall, but is facing opposition from locals. Photo by Daderot via Wikimedia Commons For Harvard Square neighbors bemoaning the loss of independent businesses to rising rents, the latest blow hit last weekend. On March 26, the 150- year old Schoenhof's Foreign Books on Mount Auburn Street closed its brick and mortar location, moving to online-only sales. Upscale retail chains continue to pour into Harvard Square, from D.C.-based craft pizza to Swedish outdoor apparel. Long-term residents are worried that Harvard Square has become so commercial that it's losing what makes it special. Jim Cronin, father of our guest Louie Cronin, serving Boston baked beans to Elizabeth Taylor. Photo courtesy of Louie Cronin. At the center of the latest controversy is the historic Abbott Building at Five JFK Street. It houses the world's only Curious George store and is also the former home of NPR's Car Talk. The developer that bought the Abbott and its two adjoining buildings last year — for $85 million — plans to turn them into a mall. Long-term residents are worried that Harvard Square has become so commercial that it's losing what makes it special. About five miles south, a historically Dominican and African American neighborhood, Egleston Square, is experiencing rapid gentrification. Below, watch a summer concert in Egleston Square. Egleston Square residents and the city government are mulling over, and sometimes butting heads over, how much affordable housing to require and what the business mix will look like. What can and/or should residents do to mitigate the effects of gentrification? To answer that complicated question, Louie Cronin joins us, author of a new novel, Everyone Loves You Back, which takes place in Cambridge in the 1990s. Cronin grew up in Cambridge, where her father owned a restaurant, and worked in the Abbott building as a producer for Car Talk. Also joining us is Luis Cotto, executive director of the not-for-profit Egleston Square Main Street. Take A Hike If you’re thinking, that tree couldn’t have grown that way naturally, your instincts are correct. (Credit: John Voci/NEPR) If you spend any time walking in the woods, you see a lot of strange looking trees — trees shaped by the wind, or split by lightning. Occasionally, some twists and turns are man-made. When walking in the woods near his Putney, Vermont, home, Dan Kubick discovered a most unusual tree. New England Public Radio's John Voci has our story. Emma Gatewood with Thomson brothers (from left) Tom, seven; David, nine; and Peter, 11; near the Thomson home in Orford, New Hampshire, on her through hike of the Appalachian Trail in 1955. (Courtesy of Peter Thomson) You might know someone who’s gone out looking for his or herself along the Appalachian Trail. Next year will mark the 80th birthday of the 2100-mile footpath. This year marks the 80th birthday of the 2100- mile footpath that goes from Georgia to Maine. A third of the trail runs through New England, including its most rugged parts, ending at the summit of Mount Katahdin in Maine. This is the time of year when through-hikers traditionally get started in Georgia. Emma “Grandma” Gatewood made headlines when she became the first woman to hike the entirety of the Appalachian Trail, back in 1955. She was 67 years old, and wore Keds. Writer Ben Montgomery, Emma's great great nephew and author of the book Grandma Gatewood's Walk, tells her story. About NEXT NEXT is produced at WNPR. Host: John Dankosky Producer: Andrea Muraskin Executive Producer: Catie Talarski Digital Content Manager/Editor: Heather Brandon Contributors to this episode: Benjamin Goldfarb, John Voci, Elliot Rambach, Ben Montgomery Music: Todd Merrell, “New England” by Goodnight Blue Moon, “Unsquare Dance” by Dave Brubeck, “Sunrise Blues” by Samuel James Get all the NEXT episodes. We appreciate your feedback! Send praise, critique, suggestions, questions, story leads, and fish stories to next@wnpr.org.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With days to go before the election, we put New England’s changing political DNA under the microscope with pollster and University of New Hampshire political scientist Andrew Smith. We also have an update on the roadside outhouse turned voting booth from Episode 11. Plus, renewable energy is best for the planet, but reality here is a little…gassier. And we take a detour from the campaign trail and head for the hills, and mountains. One of These Things is Not Like the Others Should New Hampshire’s outsize roll in presidential politics be reconsidered? (Credit: NHPR) New England is seen as reliably Democratic. Along with New York, it's part of a big blue blob in the upper right hand corner of those election maps we've seen all too much of. But it wasn't always like this. And, as we know, there's one state, with a famous independent streak, that has always been a little different. A poll by WBUR in Boston – taken less than a week before election day – shows Republican Donald Trump pulling slightly ahead of Democrat Hillary Clinton in New Hampshire. While the Granite State seems like an outlier, political scientist Andrew Smith says it's really the last state in a regional shift from Republican to Democratic that's been happening across decades. We invited him into the studio to learn about how and why New England's political DNA is changing. Smith teaches political science at the University of New Hampshire, and directs the UNH Survey Center. He's co-author of the book The First Primary: New Hampshire's Outsize Role in Presidential Politics. New Hampshire voters may take elections seriously, but a few weeks back we met one Granite Stater who definitely doesn't take them too seriously. Chris Owens hung a sign reading “Official NH Voting Booth” on an outhouse at his farm stand, and invited visitors to “cast their ballots” for Trump or Clinton in one of two toilets inside. The results are in! New Hampshire Public Radio’s Sean Hurley reports. Farmstand owner Chris Owens posted the results of his poll a week before the election. (Credit: Sean Hurley/ NHPR) Got the urge to nerd out over New Hampshire politics? Check out New Hampshire Public Radio’s database of election results going back to 1970. Gas Pains For months, clean energy advocates have been anxiously awaiting the results of a contest of sorts. It was a request for proposals by the three Southern New England states, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island, to build new project that would help the region meet both its greenhouse gas emissions goals – and overall energy needs. When the winners were unveiled, there were some big surprises. First, the mix of wind and solar projects, totaling 460 megawatts, are largely located in southern New England. That means large wind farms proposed in northern Maine, and a transmission project for Canadian Hydro-Power lost out. Pipes for a proposed natural gas pipeline in South Dakota are stacked at a staging area. (Credit: Nati Harnik/AP) The other big surprise was that the state of Connecticut pulled the plug on another plan, to construct more natural gas pipelines in the state. It was prompted by previous decisions in Massachusetts and New Hampshire that said it was unconstitutional to pass along the cost of building pipelines to electric customers. That would have left Connecticut ratepayers on the hook – without help from their regional neighbors. Protesters rally in downtown Pittsfield, Mass. before an injunction hearing on a natural gas pipeline in July, 2016. (Credit: Adam Frenier/ NEPR) This might mean the end of big pipeline projects like “Access Northeast.” And, it raises questions about the need for more gas-fired power plants, including those that have met with local opposition in Connecticut and Rhode Island. But Connecticut officials are saying, “not so fast.” Right now, New England gets more than 50 percent of it's power from gas, and state regulatory commissioner Katie Dykes says the fuel is necessary for the region to provide reliable, year-round power – even as it invests more in renewable energy. Dykes been part of this process in her previous role as Connecticut's Deputy Commissioner for Energy. She told us that the decision to halt the pipelines was done to protect ratepayers in her state. Take a Hike If you’re thinking, that tree couldn’t have grown that way naturally, your instincts are correct. (Credit: John Voci/NEPR) If you spend any time walking in the woods, you see a lot of strange looking trees — trees shaped by the wind, or split by lightning. And — occasionally — some twists and turns are man-made. When walking in the woods near his Putney, Vermont, home, Dan Kubick discovered a most unusual tree. New England Public Radio's John Voci has our story. Emma Gatewood with Thomson brothers (from left) Tom, seven; David, nine; and Peter, 11; near the Thomson home in Orford, New Hampshire, on her through hike of the Appalachian Trail in 1955. (Courtesy of Peter Thomson) You might know someone who’s gone out looking for his or herself along the Appalachian Trail. Next year will mark the 80th birthday of the 2100- mile footpath. A third of the trail runs through New England, including its most rugged parts, ending at the summit of Mount Katahdin in Maine. Emma “Grandma” Gatewood made headlines when she became the first woman to hike the entirety of the Appalachian Trail, back in 1955. She was 67 years old, and wore Keds. Writer Ben Montgomery, Emma's great great nephew, tells her story. Ben Montgomery's book, Grandma Gatewood's Walk came out in paperback earlier this year. About NEXT NEXT is produced at WNPR. Host: John Dankosky Producer: Andrea Muraskin Executive Producer: Catie Talarski Digital Content Manager/Editor: Heather Brandon Contributors to this episode: Anthony Brooks, Sean Hurley, John Voci, Elliot Rambach Music: Todd Merrell, “New England” by Goodnight Blue Moon, “Roast Beef of Old England” by the US Marine Band, “Sunrise Blues” by Samuel James Get all the NEXT episodes. We appreciate your feedback! Send praise, critique, suggestions, questions, story leads, and tales from the trail to next@wnpr.org.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hosts: Jim, Jon & KentGuest: David SobkowiakIt appears we've returned!This episode was one of a handful coming up that we thought gone to the mists of time. Thankfully, we've finally managed to recover the audio and are delighted to present it to you!In this episode we create a PERFECTLY NORMAL town deep in the Hundred-Mile Wilderness where ABSOLUTELY NOTHING is amiss. Nothing. At all.Well, except during glider season...Here are some links for David online:Blog: http://www.davidsobkowiak.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/dsobkowiakAmazon: https://www.amazon.com/David-Sobkowiak/e/B004OXCA52Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4443153.David_SobkowiakAlso mentioned in this Episode:Portal Cake MixDubstep KittyBroken SeaGypsy LauraTwin PeaksAppalachian TrailInnsmouth / HP LovecraftSuper8Mt KatahdinBaxter State ParkHundred-Mile WildernessThe ShiningDot-com BubbleSasquatchCall of Cthuhlhu RPGHunting and Trapping in MaineJackalopeDoctor MoreauSugar GliderLoch Ness MonsterRoyal Canadian Mounted PoliceJonathan Higgins/Robin MastersGlobal Strategic Maple Syrup ReserveIgorFenrirOwlbearPresley Lake / Moose Head Lake / Seboomook LakeRocky IV / Dolph LundgrenSprocketsValhallaNorthern ExposureX-Files Episode 26 - Pinewood Cove Download

Jennifer is the owner and founder of Blue Ridge Hiking Company. The speed-hiker set a new overall thru-hike record on the 2,181-mile Appalachian Trail by completing it in 46 days, 11 hours, and 20 minutes. It was the quickest recorded completion of the iconic East Coast trail, which stretches from Georgia to Maine. Davis began her journey from Mount Katahdin in Maine, the trail’s northern terminus and ended at Springer Mountain, Georgia on July 31, 2011. To break the record, Davis hiked an average of almost 50 miles a day, camping along the trail   Founded in 2008, Blue Ridge Hiking Co. is committed to getting people outdoors on their own terms. By providing custom trips and individualized itineraries, they create trips for a backpacking novices or groups seeking a challenge.   Jen’s adventures have been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post and on NPR’s Talk of the Nation. She has appeared on national television shows such as CNN Headline News, Fox and Friends, the CBS Early Show and the 700 Club. Jennifer has been named Blue Ridge Outdoors Person of the Year and a National Geographic Adventurer of the year. Her Appalachian Trail record was voted Ultrarunning Magazine’s Female Performance of 2011.   Jenn’s Challenge; Go outside and spend 20 minutes alone in nature.   Jen’s Books Becoming Odyssea: Adventures on the Appalachian Trail Called Again: A Story of Love and Triumph   Articles Backpacker Q&A   Connect with Jen Twitter @jenpharrdavis @blueridgehiking Instagram Facebook Website

Patrick Strauch, executive director of the Maine Forest Products Council, takes host Matthew Stevenson and Travel Hour listeners on an extended tour of the woods in northern Maine, up Mount Katahdin, and down the Allagash River.

Not only is Mount Katahdin, at 5,270 feet, the tallest mountain in the state of Maine, but it also holds another lofty distinction as the northern terminus of the 2160-mile Appalachian Trail. In this In Ice Axe We Trust Podcast, Chris and Matt veer off from their usual West-Coast subject matter and head into somewhat uncharted territory (for them, at least). Luckily, they have the expertise of a highly-qualified guest who knows a thing or two about hiking and climbing in the Northeast to fall back on. The result is 60 minutes of Katahdin and tons of information about this storied peak.

Not only is Mount Katahdin, at 5,270 feet, the tallest mountain in the state of Maine, but it also holds another lofty distinction as the northern terminus of the 2160-mile Appalachian Trail. In this In Ice Axe We Trust Podcast, Chris and Matt veer off from their usual West-Coast subject matter and head into somewhat uncharted territory (for them, at least). Luckily, they have the expertise of a highly-qualified guest who knows a thing or two about hiking and climbing in the Northeast to fall back on. The result is 60 minutes of Katahdin and tons of information about this storied peak.

In Episode 13, KC (aka 30-Pack) details his 2012 thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail that began at Springer Mountain in March and ended nearly 2,200 miles later at Mount Katahdin in September. In the podcast, KC talks about the birth of his trail-name, some of his favorite (and not so favorite) moments on the trail, the Wolf Pack and the social aspects of a thru-hike, and why the experience was so inspiring that he plans to set out once again this spring to hike the Pacific Crest Trail on the West Coast. KC plans to raise money for "Hiking For Kids" as part of his Pacific Crest Trail thru-hike, and you are invited to click here to make a donation. You can also follow KC via his Pacific Crest Trail Blog and offer your encouragement. Congratulations 30 Pack, and best wishes! Subject: The Appalachian Trail - Reflections From A 2012 Thru-HikerInterviewees: KC (30-Pack)Interview Date: February 21, 2013Runtime: 1:03:29 Download Now: The Appalachian Trail - Reflections From A 2012 Thru-Hiker (WMA format 58.8 Meg);The Appalachian Trail - Reflections From A 2012 Thru-Hiker (MP3 format 59.7 Meg)