A Place to Call Home

The Appalachian Trail is an inspiration to people even after they’ve finished their hike. Some people go on to hike other Scenic Trails, others open hostels or cafes along the Trail, and then there are those that are inspired to maintain the trail for their fellow thru-hikers. In part two of ATTN’s Christmas special and the final installation of the year, Mountain Squid tells us how he was inspired to stay busy after his hike along the AT. We learn how he has kept connected with the trail that he loves by becoming part of a trail maintenance team and the work he does in encouraging hikers just starting their journey! #appalachaintrailtn #ATTNPodcast #findyourtrail

Since Christmas is right around the corner, our gift to our listeners is double the episodes! This also marks the final week of ATTN Podcast stories for the year! We appreciate everyone that has listened and the support that we have been given! Stay tuned tomorrow for part two of our Christmas special! As we’ve learned during our interviews so far, Trail Magic is an important way to show a sense of community along the Appalachian Trail. We have heard from a hiker that started giving his own trail magic while still thru-hiking, but what about the non thru-hikers? In part one of this week’s two episode special, we hear from Ben and Roxy from Blue Ridge Outdoor’s, Live Outside and Play on how providing trail magic is a great way to be a part of the trail when you’re not hiking it yourself! #appalachaintrailtn #ATTNPodcast #findyourtrail

Can you remember the last 6 months of your life, and differentiate your days from each other? Or are you stuck in a routine every day, where nothing is memorable? This is exactly how our two thru-hikers, Two-thirds and Highlander, felt in their everyday lives. However, they decided to change that and their trip along the Appalachian Trail has been nothing short of a life changer. Find out in this week’s episode, There’s a Story Waiting for You, how two very different people learned to embrace what is before them and be open to unplanned events happening. #appalachiantrailtn #ATTNPodcast #findyourtrail

We all have our own set of dreams that we hope one day come true. Whether it be landing your dream job or going to a dream destination. Well for thru-hiker, F-Ward, his hike along the Appalachian Trail is living up to everything he dreamed it would be. From the views at the Roan Highlands to the friendships that he is making along the way, learn how the AT has been nothing short of amazing for our hiker in this week’s episode! #appalachiantrailtn #ATTNPodcast #findyourtrail

WARNING: EXPLICIT LANGUAGE Have you ever visited a place and been in complete ahh of the views and your surroundings? Felt small compared to everything around you? That’s exactly how the Roan Highlands made thru-hiker, IBTAT, feel on his third visit there. To him, the views are so incredible that he just keeps coming back for me. Listen to him describe the beauty of the Roan Highlands in this week’s episode, View Like No Other! #appalachiantrailtn #ATTNPodcast #findyourtrail

Trail Magic is the gift that keeps on giving. It’s the common thread we found that ties AT Communities and hikers together. It ranges from providing food or places to stay to simple hellos as hikers pass by. These gestures mean more to hikers than most people realize. It even inspires some to do their own trail magic while on the AT. That’s what we found when we met back up with thru-hikers, Butters and Too Sweet, in this week’s podcast! They were so humbled by other’s generosity that they decided to spread the love and do Trail Magic for their fellow hikers! #appalachiantrailtn #ATTNPodcast #findyourtrail

How long do you train before taking on the AT? How much gear research do you need to do? Is any preparation even needed? The answer to these questions will vary greatly from hiker to hiker. That’s especially true for this week’s thru-hiker, Green Bean, who went from his couch to the AT only researching the gear he needed before beginning his journey. Learn in this week’s episode, Couch to AT, that it doesn’t take extensive training to conquer your hike along the Appalachian Trail! #appalachiantrailtn #ATTNPodcast #findyourtrail

Economic development means big industries and factories, right? Wrong. For the town of Roan Mountain, successful economic development has occurred due to the “sustainable crop” that is Appalachian Trail hikers investing in local businesses. According to Commissioner Mike Hill, small business is going to be the salvation of Roan Mountain, especially now that they have become Appalachian Trail Community 41. Listen to this week’s podcast, Roan is Where the Heart is, to find out how human kindness and small businesses are all you need to make the economy grow!

For most people, a family bond is formed with fellow thru-hikers while on the Appalachian Trail. You develop a family to share the good and bad memories with. Thru-hiker, Sunshine, created this family bond when he took on the Pacific Crest Trail, but decided to step away from the pack on the AT. On this week’s episode, we learn how charismatic and people-loving, Sunshine, decided to do his own thing to stay in the moment and discover what’s important to him. #appalachiantrailtn #ATTNPodcast #findyourtrail

There’s something in the air when you enter the AT Community of Roan Mountain. Depending on the time of the year it could be the crispness of fall, or in the spring the famous Rhododendrons starting to bloom that catch people’s attention. However, that’s not what Doe River Hiker Rest owner, David Magee, is referring to. When you ask him, he says there is an energy to Roan Mountain unlike any other. David has seen growth occur in this community all due to AT hikers, and only sees more good things coming their way. Find out in this week’s podcast, A Place to Call Home, how David is trying to turn Roan Mountain, TN into a place where people come back to because of the amazing experiences this community offers them! #appalachiangtrailtn #ATTNPodcast #findyourtrial