Amyloidosis‏

In 2007 my father, Dennis Blake, was diagnosed with a rare blood disease, Amyloidosis. After years of battling the disease, the correct diagnosis was finally given less then a week before he passed. Amyloidosis is a rare blood disease that can affect one or more organs when abnormal deposits of the amyloid protein are produced. It is debilitating and life threatening. The disease meant nothing to my family weeks before we first heard the word, and then it defined the rest of our lives. It is only in the last 25 years that physicians have started to understand the disease. I have been hiking the Appalachian trail for a little more then a month. Hiking 8 to 12 hours a day, I have had plenty of time to think of my father and what kind of differences I could make in his name. I would love to make this epic adventure about more then myself. The amyloidosis foundation's mission is to increase education and awareness in hopes that it will lead to earlier diagnosis and improved treatment. My goal is to raise $1,000 in the name of my father. I have roughly 200 miles left. Just one penny per mile adds up to $20 when I complete the trail of 2,000 miles. If anybody would like to donate a small amount per every mile I complete, then I am confident that I can reach my goal. Here are the directions and the page link for the donations: Check "In memory of" and add my father's name "Dennis Blake"

Saturday, July 16, 2011

The Green Mountains of Vt


  The hiking in New England gets better everyday.  Many highlights since crossing into Vermont Wednesday. The greatest night yet on the trail came thursday night. We hiked up Glastenbury mt. late that afternoon and climbed its 150 ft. fire tower. The old metal structure had a roof, four half walls that reached our hips, and had windows at one time but were since removed. With 360 degree views of the stunning Green mountains, the sun setting to the west and a full moon rising in the east, we settled in for the night. It was windy and cold up there but well worth the experience.
   Stratton mt. was another spectacular mountain. We summited the 4000 footer Friday afternoon and could see for miles. The decent into the vally and by stratton pond was stunning. Walking down thru the spruce forest past numerous streams, every rock and tree stump covered in bright green mosses. We took the opportunity to cool off in the pond at the base of the mountain. where I come from this pond would be called a lake. With the hiker funk knocked off our bodies we finished out the 26 mile day at spruce pine shelter. 
  Quick resupply today in Manchester, Vt. This town has a McDonalds which is always a treat. We don't pass up a dollar menu. With our belly full, clean cloths and small resupply it's time to hitch a ride back to the woods. Bromely Mt fire tower by sunset!
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