If you have followed Books and My Backpack for a while, you may recognize JR Harris, one of the world’s most accomplished explorers, whom I was honored to meet last weekend in Gettysburg, PA, at The Gathering, the annual meetup of the Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association.

JR, long-time member and director of the prestigious Explorers Club, was the keynote speaker Saturday as part of the three-day celebration at Gettysburg College. About 200 Appalachian Trail veterans and backpacking trail enthusiasts joined Sue and me to honor JR, whose 50-plus expeditions include the High Arctic, Greenland, the Amazon, the Andes, and Tasmania over 60 years.

JR and I have corresponded since I read his memoir and adventure book, Way Out There: Adventures of a Wilderness Trekker. It is my favorite of the many, many adventure books I have read. He has been a generous supporter of my books; for years, I hoped our paths would cross. When it finally happened Friday in the college’s cafeteria, we shared bear hugs. JR was accompanied by his gracious friend Kathryn.

On Friday and Saturday, Sue and I sat at a table for authors and were so grateful for the enthusiastic interest in my three books. It was fun to share stories with adventurers who stopped by and we were pleasantly surprised by how many of my books they purchased.

On Sunday, the AT group asked me to present a workshop about the John Muir Trail in the Sierra Nevada, the subject of my latest book, Hoofin’ It on the John Muir Trail.

What a weekend!