Episode #388 - Greg Johnson (Midwatch) and Betsy Hutchins

Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis

Steve Adams

Sports, Wilderness

4.8 • 599 Ratings

🗓️ 24 August 2023

⏱️ 101 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

This week, we hear from one of the leaders of the Summit Project and the mother from a Gold Star Family about what the project means to them. This remarkable effort honors the fallen from Maine in an outdoor setting that is truly inspirational.

If you'd like to learn more about the project, and maybe even sign up for one of their events, check out the links below.

https://thesummitproject.org

https://thesummitproject.org/heroes-hundred-welcome/

https://thesummitproject.org/tsp-at-anp/

https://thesummitproject.org/home/support/

In our discussion, Betsy Hutchins talks about her stepson, Corporal Andrew Hutchins and kindly sent me a picture of both Andrew and his stone. Once you've listened to the story, you'll understand more the impact that this project can, and has, had.

We also hear from three of our four remaining members of the Mighty Blue Class of 2023, with Mark and Mary within a day of each other and now into Maine, while Joanne is in the Shennies heading south.

If you'd like to find out more about "Then The Hail Came," check out George's website at https://georgesteffanos.webador.com/. You can also find George's book on Amazon at this link. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09QFG4ZR6.

I often ask listeners for ideas on who to interview, and I'm sure several of you say, "I could do that. I've got an awesome story to tell." You're the person we need to hear from. If you'd like to be interviewed on the podcast, just register as a guest on the link below, and I'll be in touch. https://www.hikingradionetwork.com/show/mighty-blue-on-the-appalachian-trail-the-ultimate-mid-life-c/guests/intake/

If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com.
If you prefer NOT to use PayPal, you can now support us via check by mailing it to Mighty Blue Publishing, PO Box 6161, Sun City Center, FL 35751. Any support is gratefully received.

You can also support our shows by visiting our online "Merch" store. Check it out at https://hrntradingpost.com/, or click on the store button on our network website at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	You are listening to the Hiking Radio Network, where we talk the walk with shows by hikers
0:05.3	about hikers for everybody. Mighty Blue on the Appalachian Trail, the ultimate midlife crisis, joins Stephen his guests every week as he staggers from Georgia to Maine.
0:33.3	Hey guys, it's the Mighty Blue Show again, and this is episode number 388. We've got what I think is a bit of a treat today. Friends of our show, Bruce and Emily Leonard, suggested I talk with Greg Johnson. Greg is one of the founding members of the Summit Project, a remarkable organisation dedicated to recognising, remembering and honouring fallen service members from Maine.
0:55.8	Bruce Leonard recently supported one of their events through the 100 Mile Wilderness and a climb-up Catalan.
1:00.8	I'm going to let Greg explain the concept to you all and we have the added honour of speaking with the stepmother of one of those fallen heroes.
1:07.9	Betsy Hutchins will share with you all about her stepson, Corporal Andrew Hutchins,
1:12.3	and what the Summit Project means to her and her family. We'll be speaking with Greg and Betsy in a moment.
1:18.4	Then we catch up with three of our last four of the Mighty Blue Class of 20203. Mark Carpenter
1:23.3	and Mary Marks are just a day or so apart and are now in Maine their last state.
1:28.2	Funny enough, they're having a different experience because that day apart, some days they
1:33.9	see a view, some days they don't.
1:35.9	And it's the nature of the trail and it's all the better for it, for as I'm concerned.
1:44.4	We also hear from our flip-flopper via Iceland, Joanne Flagg,
1:48.2	who's finding the smooth sailing through Shenando very much to our liking.
1:52.0	I wasn't able to reconnect with Jessica Lane right in time for this week's show,
1:55.1	but we're going to hear from her next week.
1:57.3	Finally today, and then the hail came by George Stefanos.
2:00.3	George has also reached Maine, and doing so, he gives a terrific summing up of his travels,
2:05.4	maybe even his travails in the previous 13 states.
2:08.7	It totally resonated with me.
2:10.8	So let's make Greg Johnson and Betty Hutchins.
2:16.8	Today is all about the summit project and I'd like to introduce you to one of the founding members of the Summit project.
	...

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