About
Walt McLaughlin wanders about the wild country of northern New England and upstate New York whenever he isn’t at home writing or running a small press called Wood Thrush Books. His narrative about hiking Vermont’s Long Trail, Forest Under My Fingernails, was published by Heron Dance Press in 2005. Arguing With the Wind, a memoir about his two-week solo immersion in the Alaskan wilderness, is also in print. So is a collection of shorter narratives, Backcountry Excursions, based upon his treks into the Maine Woods, New Hampshire, and the Adirondacks as well as his home turf: the Green Mountains. McLaughlin holds a degree in philosophy from Ohio University, but insists that most of his thoughts concerning God, humankind and nature come from encounters with the wild itself. He lives in St. Albans, Vermont with his wife, Judy, and an ornery German shepherd named Matika.
More information and externally published essays:
6 responses so far
Wilderness philosopher, backcountry traveler and freelance writer, McLaughlin has ventured into the wilds of Southeast Alaska and New York’s Adirondacks as well as the forests of northern New England.
Is Judy the one with the floppy ears?
Hi, Walt!! Received your snail mail and unaccustomed as I am to blogging (and wish to remain that way), it was easy to weaken and check yours out. I just printed it all out and will sit and read after “60 Minutes” tonight (you will bring me needed relief from the investigative revelations!). Not sure how much I will contribute as I spend as little time at the keyboard as I can…and…somehow I can’t visualize you sitting in the deep woods with a laptop…unless you can use it for kindling! Anyway, good luck with the effort!!
From Cary, NC
Ron, your hunch is right. I don’t own a laptop, but if I did I wouldn’t take it into the woods. If I was perchance foolish enough to take one into the woods, it probably would end up as kindling. The less techie toys in the woods, the better.
Hi, Walt, Your direct mail campaign led me to buy two books directly from you, and to check out Heron Dance for another copy of Forest Under My Fingernails. I had given my copy to my nephew, and wanted to reread it and have a copy of my own. Lo and behold, Heron Dance is selling the book for a very attractive price, so I bought three. I have also enjoyed rereading Arguing With The Wind. I hope you are headed for a big patch of road and gizmo-free land, soon!
James, thanks for your continued support. Yeah, Heron Dance has lowered the price on my Long Trail book. You were smart to take advantage of it. As for me, well, I’ll get into a big patch of wild country soon enough.
Hey, Walt…!!!
Nice blog…!!! Should get some of your Alaska pics posted here. Forest Under my Fingernails is an outstanding read…! Keep writin’… And as you know by now—”The Truth is Outside…!”