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Three Hundred Zeroes
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Three Hundred Zeroes (2010) (edit title/settings)

Lessons of the Heart on the Appalachian Trail

by Dennis R. Blanchard (Author) (edit contributors)

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Description edit see section history

Dennis Blanchard's promise to his brother haunted him for over forty years. Finally, when there were no more excuses, he set out on the Appalachian Trail to fulfill that promise. He learned that walking in the wilderness can reconnect one with a Norman Rockwell America that at times seems long... read more

Summary edit see section history

Brothers often promise to do something together when they 'grow up." Do they always follow through? When war and a Purple Heart Medal alter those promises, should the surviving brother continue? My promise to my brother haunted me for over forty years. Finally, life stopped getting in the way... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)

Brothers often promise to do something together when they 'grow up." Do they always follow through? When war and a Purple Heart Medal alter those promises, should the surviving brother continue? My promise to my brother haunted me for over forty years. Finally, life stopped getting in the way and I set out on the Appalachian Trail to fulfill that youthful promise.

Three Hundred Zeroes describes the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) as it meanders for almost 2,200 miles (3,500 km) through some of the most awe inspiring, remote, vibrant woodlands and mountains in the eastern United States. Maddeningly indirect at times, the trail wanders aimlessly from Springer Mountain in Georgia, to Mount Katahdin, in Maine. Along it's length the A.T. is home to every conceivable form of plant life, vegetation, tree and animal from the minuscule pygmy shrew to the titans of the north woods, the American black bear and moose.

Three Hundred Zeroes describes a Norman Rockwell America that at times seems long lost and forgotten. Walking through small boroughs, villages and out-of-the-way places, I encountered people that don't judge others by their worldly possessions, the car they drive, or how big their house is. Conversations evolved around severe weather; trail conditions, distance traveled, and destinations. The predominate question that always arose was, "Can I help?" or "Are you hungry?" Appalachian Trail life is more often than not factored down to its lowest common denominator: honest to goodness caring and personal connections.

A menagerie of personalities leads to numerous comical situations. A cast of characters with monikers such as "Cookie Monster," "Bone Lady," "Half-Elvis," "Motor Butt," "Bilge Rat," "Privy Monster," and "Serial Killer," guaranteed that there was never a dull moment.

Serious obstacles abound. The difficulties I encountered walking over 2,200 miles were easily underestimated and trouble began long before setting that first step on the trail. Three Hundred Zeroes demonstrates that bears, rattlesnakes, extreme weather and challenging terrain may be far less formidable than some of life's more subtle dangers.

Explore this national treasure, the Appalachian Trail through my adventures in Three Hundred Zeroes.

Characters/People edit see section history

  • Jane: Wife of the author and inspiration behind actually taking the hike.
  • Maria: 2007 AT hiker and companion along the way.
  • George: George was a passing encounter in North Carolina. He was covering serious ground, something like 30 miles a day.
  • Mt. Katahdin: Mt Katahdin is the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail in Maine. It is not the highest peak along the trail, but is one of the most challenging. Anyone hiking the AT must get there before the middle of October when the park service closes the trail because of winter snows.
  • Morse Code: Actually, this is not a character, but Morse code, which is used by the author along the way to communicate via amateur radio.
  • Moondog: Moondog is a hikers trailname that offers assistance to the author along the way. This assistance is nicknamed "Trail angeling."
  • Yazzie: Yazzie is an interesting character that adds lots of color to the story. Following his hike on the trail he went off to serve his military duty as a doctor in Afghanistan.
  • Russ: Russ was another trail angel/hiker that was of great assistance to the author in the Pennsylvania area.
  • John Brown: At times, around Harpers Ferry, WV, the author was mistaken for the reincarnation of John Brown, that led a minor revolution there prior to the Civil War.
  • Pawn Power: A fellow hike that joined the author in Pearisburg, VA and spent a week hiking with him.
  • Walkie Talkie: Walkie Talkie joined the author in Massachusetts and is one of the nicest people you'll ever meet. His distinguishing habit of HAVING to have coffee every morning before setting out was his trademark.
Show all 11 characters
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Organizations edit see section history

First Sentence edit see section history

Have you ever dreamt about doing something totally foolish, something so absurd that perhaps you were afraid to tell anyone except possibly those closest to you?

Table of Contents edit see section history

Chapter 1 - Florida
Chapter 2 - Georgia
Chapter 3 - North Carolina
Chapter 4 - Tennessee
Chapter 5 - Virginia 2007
Chapter 6- 300 Zeros
Chapter 7 - Virginia 2008
Chapter 8 - West Virginia
Chapter 9 - Maryland
Chapter 10 - Pennsylvania
Chapter 11- New Jersey
Chapter 12 - New York
Chapter 13 - Connecticut
Chapter 14 - Massachusetts
Chapter 15 - Vermont
Chapter 16 - New Hampshire
Chapter 17 - Maine
Epilog
Hiking resources

Glossary edit see section history

  • AT: Sometimes A.T.: Used as an abbreviation for the Appalachian Trail
  • Zero Day: Hikers refer to any day that they take away from the trail, for rest, resupply or whatever, as a Zero Day. In this book, the author had 300 "zero days" for a medical emergency.
  • Trailname: Hikers rarely use their real names, they prefer a moniker or trailname. The trailnames are sometimes a name chosen by the hiker, but more often the name is given them by other hikers.
  • Slack packing: Sometimes hikers will hand of their pack to someone with a vehicle and spend the day hiking with just the minimum gear needed for a days walk. At the days end the hiker will be joined up again with their pack, or possibly be ferried to an overnight, indoor location.
  • Thru-hiker: A hiker that hikes the entire length of a long trail, such as the Appalachian Trail, from one end to the other in one season.
  • Purple Heart Medal: A United States military medal awarded to those either injured or possibly killed in action during a military conflict.
  • Shelter: A hiking shelter is usually a three-sided building made of logs or stones. It is open on one side and basically does just as the name implies, it offers shelter. There are no beds, the occupants sleep on the floor in sleeping bags. Sometimes there is a picnic table available for cooking and eating.

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

  1. Dennis R. Blanchard (Author) - Author nickname, "K1" or "K1YPP"

First Edition edit see section history

Original Language: English
Publisher: Createspace
Country: USA
Publication Date: February, 2010
ISBN: 1450557465
Page Count: 342

Awards edit see section history

Classification edit see section history

Notes for Parents edit see section history

Reading Level: Young Adults

A few minor swears, but no sex scenes, etc.

Links to Supplemental Material edit see section history

More Books Like This edit see section history

   
  • Skywalker: Close Encounters on the Appalachian Trail
  • Skywalker
  • A Walk in the Woods

Books with Additional Background Information edit see section history

   
  • Skywalker

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