Downtown Boone Development Association

Outdoorsman and Travel Writer Randy Johnson Will Sign Hiking Books at Mast Store in Boone

Randy Johnson, internationally-traveled photojournalist, author, and outdoorsman will sign Hiking North Carolina: A Guide to Nearly 500 of North Carolina’s Greatest Hiking Trails, Hiking the Blue Ridge Parkway, and Best Easy Day Hikes on the Blue Ridge Parkway at the Mast Store in Downtown Boone from noon until 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 29.

Hiking North Carolina provides detailed descriptions of 500 trails across the state from leg-stretcher trails along the Blue Ridge Parkway to urban adventures on greenways to venturing into a marsh along the outer banks. Not only can readers find out about the length of the hike and the location of the trail head, including GPS coordinates, but Johnson also includes interesting tidbits of information on the history of the area, the elevation gain or loss, and listings of trail-related internet addresses.

His two Blue Ridge Parkway books provide in depth descriptions of the trails, directions, and information along the way. The Best Easy Day Hikes edition invites everyone to take to the trail. Its descriptions focus on history and climate, culture and geography, and even sights that would be of interest for kids along the trail. Hiking the Blue Ridge Parkway has been called “the definitive guide for Parkway hikers.” This guide provides detailed topographical maps and the most complete Parkway Mileage Log available to the public. In addition, it includes rugged wilderness walks and overnight backpacking trips for those who are more adventurous.

Johnson began his writing career in high school with an interview of Peter, Paul & Mary for an article appearing in his school newspaper and has been smitten with hiking and backpacking since climbing his first mountain on a bitterly cold Boy Scout camping trip to Virginia’s northern Blue Ridge Mountains. Since that time he has written for The Charlotte Observer and was the founding editor of The Mountain Times. He also helped revitalize and created a plan for maintaining the trails on Grandfather Mountain and has won several national journalism awards.

The book signing is a great opportunity to inquire about hiking the trails in the local area and to find out about Johnson’s favorite trails along the Blue Ridge Parkway, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. For more information, contact the Mast Store in Downtown Boone at 828-262-0000.

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