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Episode #471 - Tina Tempest (Chunky)

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

Release Date: 02/13/2025

Episode #496 - Charles Bruce (Tracker) show art Episode #496 - Charles Bruce (Tracker)

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

We meet Charles Bruce, or Tracker, this week. Charles is a member of the Appalachian Trail Class of 2022, and he fulfilled a long-held bucket list item when he completed his thru-hike. Charles is from the northeast, and one of his passions is to track white-tailed deer through the snow. While those skills didn’t help with his thru-hike, they gave him his awesome trail name! We’ll hear why he needed to be finished before October, and his current plan to keep a promise he made to his wife. Beth and Andrew have reached, and passed, the halfway marker, while the REAL rocks of Pennsylvania...

info_outline Episode #495 - Dr Lynne Savino (Older hikers on trail) show art Episode #495 - Dr Lynne Savino (Older hikers on trail)

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

Our guest today is an old friend of the show; Dr Lynne Savino. Lynne always has an interesting take on medical issues related to hiking, and this week, she discusses older hikers on trail. She brings her normal passion for hiking and medicine to the podcast, teaching me a few things along the way. We also caught up with Dave, Beth and Andrew, as they all cope with the heat bubble on the east coast of the US. Dave has moved into Connecticut, his 10th state, and he got this stunning, early-morning view of New York City from the trail a few days ago. Meanwhile, Beth and Andrew have reached the...

info_outline Episode #494 - The End and Epilogue on the Camino de Santiago show art Episode #494 - The End and Epilogue on the Camino de Santiago

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

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

info_outline Episode #493 - Days 29-31 on the Camino de Santiago show art Episode #493 - Days 29-31 on the Camino de Santiago

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

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

info_outline Episode #492 - Days 25-28 on the Camino de Santiago show art Episode #492 - Days 25-28 on the Camino de Santiago

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

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

info_outline Episode #491 - Days 22-24 on the Camino de Santiago show art Episode #491 - Days 22-24 on the Camino de Santiago

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

I’m back in the rhythm and within a couple of weeks from the end. I’m meeting new people, reacquainting my legs with hills, and eating relentlessly. I love hiking!!! Dave has passed Harper’s Ferry and pushing into Pennsylvania and the rocks!

info_outline Episode #490 - Day 21 and a Road Trip Back show art Episode #490 - Day 21 and a Road Trip Back

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

Today rounds off my last hike into Léon before taking a scheduled break to visit my family for a birthday party, followed by a long detour back to the trail via England, where I watched my beloved Mighty Blues in their unexpected play off final. we also hear again from Beth and Andrew as they take on the first part of the Virginia Triple Crown; Dragon’s Tooth in the rain.  

info_outline Episode #489 - Day Twenty and a Road Trip show art Episode #489 - Day Twenty and a Road Trip

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

The first half of my Camino hike is done and I’ve arrived at Léon for my scheduled break with family (and a soccer match). Dave is near the halfway point on the Appalachian Trail and has recovered his mojo. 

info_outline Episode #487 - Days Thirteen to Fifteen on the Camino de Santiago show art Episode #487 - Days Thirteen to Fifteen on the Camino de Santiago

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

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

info_outline Episode #488 - Days Sixteen to Nineteen on the Camino de Santiago show art Episode #488 - Days Sixteen to Nineteen on the Camino de Santiago

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

The Meseta is about to end and I’m about to head south for a few days for a family party. The break has come at a good time to help my feet recover from a pounding.  Beth and Andrew take responsibility for Rufus, a bowling ball. Weird? Yep. 

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We have Tina Tempest on the show today. Tina, or Chunky, completed a SOBO thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail in 2009. The trail had such an impact upon her life, that she and her husband, Brett, ultimately opened the Quarter Way Inn, a hostel near Marion, Virginia. Tina’s breakfast at the hostel is the stuff of legend!

But it is one of her side businesses that we’re talking about today, as Tina is the owner of Bead By Bead Adventures, producing necklaces for many of the long distance trails, including two that I wear.

There are plenty of ways to follow Tina, either online or in person. Check out these links: See Tina in person: AT Gateways at Amicalola Falls State Park in Georgia on February 28 - March 2, 2025. Appalachian Trail Days in Damascus, Virginia on May 16-18, 2025

Follow Tina online: Bead by Bead Adventures: Necklaces that are maps of long-distance hiking trails that hikers (or those at home) can use to track their progress. Her website is at www.gobeadbybead.com, on Instagram at , and on Facebook at .

Her hostel: Quarter Way Inn: Seasonal Appalachian Trail Hiker Hostel at mile 555-ish in Southwest Virginia. Her website, www.quarterwayinn.com, on Instagram at , and on Facebook at 

Her Honey business is Gather Ye Honey: Pure honey and beeswax candles from Ceres, VA and Charlotte, NC. That website is at www.gatheryehoney.com, her Instagram is at , while her Facebook is at 

We also caught up with one of our Mighty Blue Class of 2025 members, Dave Santi. Dave and I talked through his pack and the choices he has made for his upcoming thru-hike in March. Check out the gear details at https://lighterpack.com/r/xtkoon

If you have questions or topics you’d like covered by our class of 2025 members, Dave and Beth, please email them to me at s[email protected].

Our 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.

Our new sponsor for the New Year is TSX Challenge, who turn one week into inspiration for a lifetime. And I should know. Chris at TSX told me he could get me to the top of Mt Whitney…and he did. Check out their incredible group hikes at , and save 10% at checkout by using the code MIGHTYBLUE.

I used my hike last year on the South West Coast Path in the UK to help raise money for my absolute favorite charity, Parenting Matters, on whose board I’ve been privileged to serve for over a decade. You can learn more about the hike and the organization–and donate–by visiting . 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  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. 

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  .

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

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

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