If you’re close to Western North Carolina, join me at the official launch of my new book on Tuesday, April 7 at Diamond Brand Outdoors in Arden, NC, a little south of Asheville. Diamond Brand is located at 2623 Hendersonville Rd., Arden, 828-209-1501. The picture on the left if of the book launch of my first book, Hiking the Carolina Mountains.

I’ll be presenting a slide show program and Earth Fare will provide some great food. For every book sold that evening, Diamond Brand Outdoors will donate 50% of the proceeds to the Trails Forever program, which benefits the maintenance and improvement of trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Additionally, Diamond Brand Outdoors will offer a $20 gift card for anyone that registers to become a member of Friends of the Smokies at the book launch event. And you’ll also be able to buy the new Dolly Parton CD, written and produced especially for the Smokies 75th anniversary.

It will be a great party.

I was at Joseph-Beth in Charlotte on Saturday (April 4) in the Southpark Mall. I talked to several folks who were new to the area or new to hiking. They seemed very excited when I told them about the various hiking clubs in Charlotte and Asheville. And for me, the hiking is what it's all about.