-John

[...]]]> Check put this little podcast from our first night back out on the Appalachian Trail. It stormed like all get-out, but we stayed dry and snug in our homemade tarptent. I’m finding muscles I haven’t used in years, but we’re having a blast this week.

Take care,
-Johnny Swank

  
Download now or listen on posterous

Memo.m4a (3729 KB)

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http://sourcetosea.net/neuse-river-photobook-preorder-information/

http://charitytravelers.com/

You’ve got two options – the Ebook (PDF) or Paperback version. You can also Adopt-A-Library and I’ll send a signed copy to the library of your choice.

All the ordering information is located at http://sourcetosea.net/neuse-river-photobook-preorder-information/

Click on any of the [...]]]> About 20 folks have pre-ordered the upcoming Neuse River photobook at the discounted rates. Have you?

You’ve got two options – the Ebook (PDF) or Paperback version. You can also Adopt-A-Library and I’ll send a signed copy to the library of your choice.

All the ordering information is located at http://sourcetosea.net/neuse-river-photobook-preorder-information/

Click on any of the “Add to Cart” buttons and it’ll take you straight to Paypal. You can pay with a VISA, Mastercard, or straight from your Paypal account. It’s easy. Try it!

Well, it’s getting close to June and northbound thru-hikers still on the Appalachian Trail are probably somewhere in Virginia by now. I took a look at the Applachian Trail Conservancy’s 2000-miler data for the year, and they’re showing a slight dip in thru-hikers starting out this year. According to folks at Amicola State Park, 1,350 [...]]]>

Appalachian Trail

Well, it’s getting close to June and northbound thru-hikers still on the Appalachian Trail are probably somewhere in Virginia by now. I took a look at the Applachian Trail Conservancy’s 2000-miler data for the year, and they’re showing a slight dip in thru-hikers starting out this year. According to folks at Amicola State Park, 1,350 hikers started from Georgia heading north to Maine. This is a tad under last year’s number (1,425) by still well over the numbers in 2006 (1,150) and 2007 (1,125). You can be a numbers dork too by checking out the stats on their site!

I can’t believe five years have already passed since we first dipped our paddles into the Mississippi River on May 15, 2005. 73 days and 2,200 miles later, we finally reached the Gulf. Even after a year of planning, we really had no idea what exactly we were getting [...]]]>

First strokes on the Mississippi River

I can’t believe five years have already passed since we first dipped our paddles into the Mississippi River on May 15, 2005. 73 days and 2,200 miles later, we finally reached the Gulf. Even after a year of planning, we really had no idea what exactly we were getting into. On something like that, I just don’t think you can know until you get out there and start DOING.

Fun fact: Jess and I had never paddled in the same canoe before that trip. Never. We realized that about 200 yards downstream from the start!

Cover 1

I randomly chose 5 names from all entries, and the following folks will be receiving a free copy of the book. I expect to be shipping these out around June 10. Congratulations [...]]]> Well, after 271 votes, it came down to the last day. By a mere 17 votes, the cover with most votes is:

Cover 1

I randomly chose 5 names from all entries, and the following folks will be receiving a free copy of the book. I expect to be shipping these out around June 10. Congratulations to:
Will Beaty
Chris Summerlin
Donna Petherbridge
Tom Williams
Deviled Legs (Carolina Rollergirls)

Preorder Information

The book is now available for preorder at discounted rates.

The Preorder price for the Ebook PDF version (64 pages, full color) will be $5.95. Click here to preorder:

The Preorder price for the paperbook book (60 pages, full color) will be $9.95+shipping. Click here to preorder:

You can also choose to Adopt A Library ($12.95+free shipping). Just add a note to your order form with the library location and any other pertinent info, and I’ll take care of the shipping. Click here to Adopt a Library:

After May 28, the retail price for the printed book will be $12.95, and the Ebook PDF version will retail for $8.95. I expect to ship out preorders around June 10, and I will email the link to download the Ebook at that same time. 10% of the proceeds from all sales will go to the Neuse Riverkeeper Foundation.

Thanks again for everything. This has been a blast to put together and (finally) get out into the real world! Feel free to  with your Facebook friends!

Take care,

-John Pugh

I’m randomly selecting one name for every 50 entries, and the winners for the free books will be announced [...]]]> It’s come down to the last day, and with 247 votes there still isn’t a clear-cut leader in the Neuse River Book Cover Contest. Three covers are nearly tied, with one bringing up the rear. Vote Now

I’m randomly selecting one name for every 50 entries, and the winners for the free books will be announced on Wednesday. Pre-orders for both the paper version and ebook versions will be start later this week. Pre-order prices will be $9.95 for the paper version, and $6.95 for the ebook. The book will retail for $12.95 (full-color paper version) and $8.95 (ebook).

The book should be in area stores and on Amazon.com in mid-June. I’ll also be releasing a DVD on the trip later this summer. Vote Now and with your Facebook friends!

Thanks,

-John

Ebook will be start next week. Winners will be announced on May 10.

The book should [...]]]> I’m releasing a photobook about last year’s expedition down the Neuse River and I’m letting Source to Sea readers pick  the cover!  I’ll be drawing names for a free copies of the book, and pre-orders for both the paper version and

Ebook will be start next week. Winners will be announced on May 10.

The book should be on Amazon around mid-June. I’ll also be releasing a DVD on the trip later this summer. Vote Now and Share with your Facebook Friends!

Here’s the rules:
* Only one entry per email address

*Contest will be open from April 28-May 10
*One entry per 100 will be chosen at random to receive a free book
*Email address is required in order to notify the winner(s)
That’s it!

10% of the net proceeds from this book will go to the Neuse Riverkeeper Foundation.

Click on any of the images to be taken to the survey.

Cover 1

Cover 2

Cover 3

Cover 4

I’m sure I’m not the only person  glued to the internet watching the disaster unfold as a result of the BP Oil explosion. Fishing and shrimping has shut down, and prime habitat and wildlife areas are facing untold threats. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the workers killed in the accident [...]]]>

Sweetwater Bay, Louisiana

I’m sure I’m not the only person  glued to the internet watching the disaster unfold as a result of the BP Oil explosion. Fishing and shrimping has shut down, and prime habitat and wildlife areas are facing untold threats. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the workers killed in the accident and all others affected by this mess. The financial, human, and environmental cost of this are going to be enormous. I hope new regulations will be put in place AND enforced to reduce the likelihood of this happening again.

The Audubon Action Center has responded to this threat by coordinating volunteers, monitoring wetlands, and organizing cleanups. They need your help, and no matter where you’re located you have a chance to be involved in this effort.  The Gulf of Mexico is a tremendous resource that affects all of us, and this is just the beginning of the long-term effort. Please visit their site and do what you can.

Track the Oil Spill Here.

Thanks,

-John

I wrote earlier on how to send a maildrop on the Appalachian Trail to any post office via General Delivery. Now that there are enough stores near the Appalachian Trail (and Pacific Crest Trail for that matter) to get buy food along the way, I typically just [...]]]>

Picking up a Maildrop on the Appalachian Trail

I wrote earlier on how to send a maildrop on the Appalachian Trail to any post office via General Delivery. Now that there are enough stores near the Appalachian Trail (and Pacific Crest Trail for that matter) to get buy food along the way, I typically just recommend that hikers largely dispense with maildrops for the most part unless they have specific dietary needs.

That said, there are a still a few towns you may want to consider sending a small maildrop to because of limited grocery store access. You’re likely going to have the home crew send maps and mail every once in awhile anyway, so these towns are as good as any.

Here’s the Post Offices (and their zip codes) I’d probably use if I were to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail again:

Fontana Dam, NC 28733
Harpers Ferry, WV 25425
Port Clinton, PA 19549
Delaware Water Gap, PA 18327
Glencliff, NH 03238
Monson, ME 04464

One strategy that works well is to send your maildrops directly to a hostel or motel instead of the post office. This way you avoid the need to rush into town to pick up a package before the Post Office closes. I always recommend that hikers send their packages Priority Mail, as they can be forwarded up the trail at no additional cost as long as the package has not been opened.

Speaking of resupply options, Baltimore Jack’s article on Resupplying on the Appalachian Trail is the best I’ve ever read. If you have any interest at all in thru-hiking, do yourself a favor and visit that link.

Take care,

-John