Doing Stuff Outdoors-105

Our feature interview today is with Dennis Blanchard of Florida. He's an outdoors enthusiast whose main interests are hiking, mountain bike racing and riding and occasional kayaking. In 2007, at the age of 60 he set out on a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. He even brought along some portable ham radio equipment to make radio contacts from every State the trail goes through. But partway through the hike something happened. Unfortunately (or fortunately for him, as the case may be) he had to take 300 days off for a six-artery heart bypass surgery. As soon as the doctors allowed him, he got back on the trail and finished last October 1st. He's 62 and feeling great and his story is inspirational. In fact he's writing a book about the experience called "300 Zeros."

Also on the show more of your comments from Facebook and email. We hear about a hike up Mount Carleton in New Brunswick and experience the first snows of the year. Gary also wades into the touchy area of public health care and the impact it has on outdoor enthusiasts.  Email us at [e-mail]