C. Wright and Arlette Laan

Quinn (Q) says he is on the board of directors for the North Country Trail (NCT). He details all the parts of the trail he has hiked. Arlette (A) shares that she has hiked all of the NCT as a through hike. She shares that she finished the trail in Michigan in the winter.

Q says he’s hiked all his life. He says he enjoyed trail-blazing when he was younger. He describes his journey to becoming a board member of the North Country Trail Association (NCTA). Q says he is a day hiker because he likes to enjoy good food and not sleep on the ground.

A shares that she has hiked all of the National Scenic Trails. She talks about the differences among the different trails. Q talks about hiking with his dog. A says she discovered she is an introvert but craves human interaction after several days alone.

Q says he was hiking, he noticed it was easier to get help in rural communities than in more urban areas. A says she found that people with the least are often the most giving.

Q and A discuss their favorite or most memorable moments on the NCT.

A says she is from the Netherlands. She talks about the hiking and biking she did growing up. She says part of the North Country Trail in Ohio reminded her of Holland a bit. A talks about the hiking she’s done in other countries. Q says he was born in New Zealand.

A and Q discuss how hiking has allowed them to know communities and places in a different way.