Episode #42 - David DeGregorio (Digger)
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis
Steve Adams
4.8 • 599 Ratings
🗓️ 6 July 2017
⏱️ 64 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Digger was one of the guys I met during my 2014 journey and, as often happened, this short acquaintance proved to assist me in my own hike. Once he'd completed the AT, Digger went on to many other adventures, including the PCT, the Camino and a kind of freestyle journey through France, England and, ultimately Ireland. Digger is currently plotting a beautiful trail through Italy with his 10-year-old daughter, Rosie. 
He was also involved in a little bit of controversy over his somewhat exuberant celebrations at the top of Katahdin. Frankly, after over 2,000 miles, I would have thought that wouldn't be too much of a problem. Oh well. 
The one below is the more restrained version. You can connect with Digger via Facebook or just check out his YouTube channel. 
No Jessa this week, so I had John Boyet on the show to give us a few tips on what to look out for if you're in the market for new boots or shoes.
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Mighty Blue on the Appalachian Trail, the ultimate midlife crisis, |
| 0:16.4 | joined Stephen his guests every week as he staggers from Georgia to Maine. |
| 0:27.1 | Hi and welcome to the first episode that I haven't completed just inside the deadline. |
| 0:33.9 | This is episode number 42 and I set it up prior to leaving for a week on the Appalachian Trail. |
| 0:39.1 | So, as you listen to this, I will be reeking in the woods, burning calories at an alarming rate, |
| 0:46.6 | and moaning about the pain in my legs. |
| 0:49.5 | These shows, when I'm away, will not have an update from Jesser, though there will still |
| 0:52.9 | be a main interview and a chapter of my book. |
| 0:55.8 | To bring some balance to that and to make up for the temporary loss of Jess's story, |
| 1:00.1 | I've been speaking with a local guy, John Boyette, who owns trail walkers and excellent |
| 1:04.9 | outfitters here in Bradenton. |
| 1:07.5 | John is a vastly experienced hiker, and he agreed to do me a bunch of short segments on what to look out for when you're choosing gear. |
| 1:14.9 | I hope you enjoy these little nuggets of information. |
| 1:18.8 | Today's main interview is with another member of my class of 2014, David D. Gregorio or Digger. |
| 1:26.9 | This was a wide-ranging conversation that lasted far longer than I |
| 1:30.5 | expected, yet we got engrossed in it and suddenly 40 minutes had passed. Digger got quite emotional |
| 1:36.7 | in the early part as he talked to one of his main motivations for his hike. Then we both got |
| 1:41.4 | a little philosophical near the end. He's also turned into quite the hiker since he finished the A.T. |
| 1:46.8 | And his adventure this year is a whimsical journey through Italy with his 10-year-old |
| 1:50.9 | daughter Rosie. |
| 1:52.2 | How wonderful for both of them. |
| 1:54.3 | Digger will be on in the minute. |
... |
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