Episode #439 - Casey Huffman (Vegas)

06/27/24 • 77 min

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

I’m back from the UK and am eager to bring more great guests for you. First, though, I want to thank all of you who reached out to me while I was away. Your concern for my welfare was more than touching. I’m forever grateful to my listeners.

Today, our main guest is Casey Huffman, AKA Vegas. Casey hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2023, and he shares his story with an infectious enthusiasm which, he’ll concede, may not have been there when he set out on his adventure. A solo hiker, and somewhat introverted, he even became the Prom King of the Class of 2023!

Casey has a Youtube channel, though he tells me that it isn’t all about hiking, so pick your way through it. https://youtube.com/@vegasthepiedpiper?si=izi8BQ2K8TY7nUdv

Also today, our Mighty Blue Class of 2024 starts catching up with hikers already into the second half of their hike. Today, it’s Bobby Campbell, or Sloggy, who shares the first half of his own thru-hike with us.

We need a few more members of the Mighty Blue Class of 2024, so reach out to me at [email protected] if you have a candidate for me to track down.

Finally today, I’m starting a new book! Happy Hiking, by my friend, Emily Leonard is–of course–written from a woman’s POV and a woman’s voice. I hope you enjoy listening to it. If you’d like to buy the book, you can find it on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Happy-Hiking-Falling-Appalachian-Trail/dp/1736156802 , or on Emily’s website, at https://www.emilysescapades.com/product-page/happy-hiking

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

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

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

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

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

You can also support our shows by visiting our online "Merch" store. Check it out at https://hrntradingpost.com/ , or click on the store button on our network website at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com .

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

Casey has a Youtube channel, though he tells me that it isn’t all about hiking, so pick your way through it. https://youtube.com/@vegasthepiedpiper?si=izi8BQ2K8TY7nUdv

We need a few more members of the Mighty Blue Class of 2024, so reach out to me at [email protected] if you have a candidate for me to track down.

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

Previous Episode

Episode #426 - South West Coast Path (Days 15-17)

I’m into my third week on the trail and still spending most nights indoors. The first two weeks were always going to be that way, with John, then Richard and Wendy as part of my hike, yet the weather has intervened in this third week. Hopefully, the weather is about to turn and I’ll be able to camp outside a bit more.

I’m using my hike in the UK on the South West Coast Path to help raise money for my absolute favorite charity, Parenting Matters, on whose board I’ve been privileged to serve for over a decade. You can learn more about the hike and the organization–and donate–by visiting https://parentingmattersfl.org/eventer/hike-with-steve-empowering-parents-one-step-at-a-time/edate/2024-04-15/. And, maybe, you’ll get a personal picture of me thanking you with your name etched in the sand during my hike. I hope you want to support this critical mission.

Don’t forget. Our entire series of videos from our Woods Hole Weekend in 2022 is now FREE and available at my YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wA8ImK4qpNc&list=PLu8u88nsJtgWZxT8DLwEW2yXcz4gT6HXsThere, you’ll find all sorts of tips and tricks that our guests took away from the weekend that helped them with their own hikes this year. Check it out.

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

Next Episode

Episode #440 - Martin Pazzani

Today, we welcome Martin Pazzani to the podcast. Martin is a true outdoorsman, having hiked and climbed in all seven continents. He’s parlayed that experience with his involvement in the fitness business, and an intellectual curiosity about the scientific benefits of simply getting outside and walking uphill.

Those of us who have hiked extensively can identify with Martin’s conclusions, yet he presents it in such an accessible way that I’m sure you’ll enjoy being informed and entertained in equal measure.

You can check out Martin’s book on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/SECRETS-AGING-WELL-Healthier-Recharge-ebook/dp/B08B8YC99R/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=ARGkQ&content-id=amzn1.sym.f911c8db-3a2b-4b3e-952f-b80fdcee83f4&pf_rd_p=f911c8db-3a2b-4b3e-952f-b80fdcee83f4&pf_rd_r=141-1163969-3030724&pd_rd_wg=wCInZ&pd_rd_r=0b03db07-3fad-427e-b1b4-d1a01b7fa727&ref_=aufs_ap_sc_dsk, and on his website at https://www.getoutside.online/.

Then, we meet Bobby Campbell once more in our Mighty Blue Class of 2024. Bobby has cruised past 1,200 miles, which means he was confronted by the choice of whether or not to partake in the Half Gallon Challenge; a decision that faces us all on an AT thru-hike!!

Our new book reading, Happy Hiking, by my friend, Emily Leonard is–of course–written from a woman’s POV and a woman’s voice. I hope you enjoy listening to my reading of it. If you’d like to buy the book, you can find it on Amazon at Happy Hiking: Falling in love on the Appalachian Trail, or on Emily’s website, at Happy Hiking.

I used my hike in the UK on the South West Coast Path to help raise money for my absolute favorite charity, Parenting Matters, on whose board I’ve been privileged to serve for over a decade. You can learn more about the hike and the organization–and donate–by visiting https://parentingmattersfl.org/eventer/hike-with-steve-empowering-parents-one-step-at-a-time/edate/2024-04-15/. And, maybe, you’ll get a personal picture of me thanking you with your name etched in the sand during my hike. I hope you want to support this critical mission.

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