October 2026 – Guest Speaker: Steve Andrew
Thoughts from the Appalachian Trail –
It Started with a Pair of Socks
So, you say you want to go off the grid and go for a little walk in the woods. How about, perhaps, section-hiking the Appalachian Trail, the longest pedestrian-only walking
path in the world? Then you think, hmm, I haven’t backpacked in 30 years, don’t really
do any hiking, but hey, how hard can this be? This was what went through Steve Andrew’s mind a few years ago as he began thinking about section-hiking the Appalachian Trail.
One of the first tasks was to buy some clothing. How hard can that be? Well, after a 2-hour trip to REI, he comes home, proudly, with a pair of socks. That’s right, one pair of socks. His wife was astounded and, well, maybe happy as this is the first interest Steve had shown in clothes shopping in years. Please join us on October 21 when Steve Andrew will be talking about his adventures in preparing for and hiking a couple of sections of the Appalachian Trail. There will be stories of his learning to hang a bear bag in full view of his neighbors at home, his Trail family, almost being blown off a hillside, and, oh yes, hitchhiking and being picked up by a wild-eyed mountain man. So grab your bandanas, hiking boots, and backpacks and join us on October 21.
By Art Bernstein