I never knew my Great Uncle Elmer, but he lived on in stories my mom told me—and the dozen or more large-framed photos he took that I inherited. He was an avid photographer and organic gardener back in the mid-20th century before organic was mainstream. His articles and photos were even in Organic Gardening magazine.
And in 1968 when he was in his 60s, Uncle Elmer solo thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail from April to October—hiking 2,200+ miles from Georgia to Maine. He even got invited to visit the White House by President Johnson for his adventures but refused to leave the trail to attend. His wife would drop food packages at designated spots along the way, but he mostly ate seeds and berries.
After his 6-month trek in the wild, Uncle Elmer stopped at my parents’ house in New York on his way home and when my mom asked what he wanted to eat he heartily replied, “Fried chicken!” Then he slept on the floor in the guest room as he was so used to sleeping on the ground. On his thru-hike, an October snowstorm prevented him from climbing Mount Katahdin in Maine and reaching the end of the trail at this mighty peak. But he returned the next year to Maine and completed the final five miles of the trail up the mountain.
A hiking lover myself, Uncle Elmer was my inspiration behind featuring adventures on the Appalachian Trail and Mount Katahdin in Loon Cove Summer, my next middle-grade novel being released on May 6th. I wish I could be brave enough to solo through-hike like him.
You can pre-order Loon Cove Summer here in hardcover, paperback, or eBook but if you’re a book reviewer on NetGalley you can read and review it for FREE right now for a limited time! Not a reviewer? You can sign up to become a free member. I’m grateful for your reading and honest reviews. Thank you!
BOOK RECOMMENDATION:
I’ve had this book, I Am Malala, on my nightstand for a long time and in seeking some light in our world right now, this seemed like the perfect time to pick it up and I’m glad I did! Malala’s powerful story will open your eyes to another place and make you believe in hope, truth, miracles and the possibility that just one person—one young person—can inspire change in her community and around the world.
In this New York Times bestselling memoir, Malala Yousafzai—the youngest winner of the Nobel Peace Prize—inspires young readers with her stunning story of resilience and power. Malala says, “I tell my story not because it is unique, but because it is the story of many girls.”
Book Summary:
Malala Yousafzai was only ten years old when the Taliban took control of her region. They said music was a crime. They said women weren’t allowed to go to the market. They said girls couldn’t go to school. Raised in a once-peaceful area of Pakistan transformed by terrorism, Malala was taught to stand up for what she believes. So, she fought for her right to be educated. And on October 9, 2012, she nearly lost her life for the cause: She was shot point-blank while riding the bus on her way home from school. No one expected her to survive.
GRATITUDE TO OTHER AUTHORS:
Since my first book was published back in 2012, I’ve discovered that we can write alone but we certainly can’t get published alone. I’m so grateful for the team that helped me get Loon Cove Summer published—as well as early readers by authors who were so gracious with their time and words in providing testimonials. Like this one below by Cathy Carr. ❤ Be sure to check out Cathy’s heartfelt and adventurous middle grade novels!
Spring is nearly here in Southeastern Pennsylvania, and after a long cold winter spent inside, I got out recently to enjoy mild weather, covered bridges, and noisy grackles. Find out how many covered bridges there are in Pennsylvania—the most of any state in the U.S.!
He sounds like an amazing man. What an experience it must have been for him to do that hike alone. I can see why he inspired you!
I love the book I am Malala. So powerful.
Stephanie, yes Uncle Elmer was a unique character–my mom was too so perhaps she got that from him. 🙂 And Malala was indeed a moving story.