Just Passin' Thru

A Vintage Store, the Appalachian Trail, and a Cast of Unforgettable Characters

By: Winton Porter

Narrated by: Jones Allen

Length: 6 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

Like a well-crafted stage play, Just Passin' Thru delivers one suspenseful scene after another. But in this historic setting a store on the Appalachian Trail called Mountain Crossings the characters who show up are no fictional creations. They are the real-life stars of the author’s new life as a backpack-purging, canteen-selling, hostel-running, bandage-taping, lost-child finding, argument-settling, romance-fixing, chili-making man of many faces. Like any good drama, there are the good guys (and gals) and the weirdos, too. Some show up once (and that’s enough), and some appear again and again. Some are friends, and some dangerous. But all are united by two things: the author’s story-capturing talent, and whatever it is that lures them to attempt (or conquer) a 2,200-mile path that climbs and plummets from Georgia to Maine.

©2009 Winton Porter (P)2013 Audible Inc.

Well Worth it!

I enjoy hiking tales and heard about this book from another hiker. My past reads have been about hikers and their trail events. This book is about a man who bought an outdoor gear/ hostel establishment called Mountain Crossing. His store is a well known rest stop on the AT and has quite the following (I checked out their website & Facebook pages).

This was a great "welcome to my world" book. He shares encounters he has had through the years with hikers and employees. I found these stories funny & captivating. The narrators voice made this an easy listen. You don't have to be a hiker to like this one - it's a great read!

Ps... I am starting to wonder if these reviews are worth my time and efforts. If it helps you could you please click " helpful". Thank you

Just Passin' Thru? Come back and tell me more!

Loved this book! It is not nearly long enough but what there is was absolutely charming. Winton Porter does a wonderful job of spinning the yarn of his years minding a store on the Appalachian Trail and the hungry and loopy hikers who show up at his store. I have always wanted to hike a hunk of it but sadly I live nearer the Pacific Crest Trail so must live vicariously through stories like this.

The descriptions of the trail, the amazing characters who decide to take on the daunting hike and make the commitment to do it, and in many cases do it over and over, are delightful.I could actually picture them like I had been sitting on a stone bench in the sun with them.

I love the guy on the roof with Oldham flute, just taking life in stride. I admire Porter's wife who just copes with the realities of living in a frigid old stone house year round and rolls with whatever happens.

This book is a great introduction to the brotherhood and sisterhood of people that are taken/fascinated and addicted to the reality and the dream of the Appalachian trail. The narrator does a wonderful low key job of telling the story in a way that feels very real and like I imagine Porter's actual voice and delivery would sound.

My only gripe? It was not nearly long enough?

Just passin' thru but wish I could have stayed

Where does Just Passin' Thru rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is an amazing audio book. It has a great cast of characters. Billy Bumble Foot and Winton being my favorite. This is one of my favorite books i have listened to.

What other book might you compare Just Passin' Thru to and why?

I've never read or listened to anything like it. It did remind me of Empire Records, the movie, in a sense that the story wasn't about the store, but it was more of just a back drop to the lives and experiences of hikers, the staff, Winton and his family. I think it would be a great anime series, but that's just me.

Have you listened to any of Jones Allen’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not listened to any other of Jones Allen's performances, but I wouldn't hesitate to listen to his work. He created voices for the characters. Winton, Sierra, and Billy. He nailed it.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

With out any spoilers I'd say the story of Lorac and her gift to Winton.

Any additional comments?

I ordered this book looking for another hiker book, but found something much more. This book was funny, entertaining and had so many positive messages. This book will help you see things from a different perspective reminding "that it's not about the miles, It's about the smiles" and that life would be better if we all could just stop and capture the moments of our lives that do our heart good. To "smile and dance."

Enjoyable journey

The author brings to life many interesting and at times hilarious characters. A well crafted story line helps to keep the reader / listener engaged and wanting more. As a hiker and outdoorsman, I can relate to many of the situations described. I recoomend. this book to those looking for some situational adult humor blended with a few difficult and dynamic topics.

Wonderful story

This is the kind of story you want to hear about when talking about through hiking!!! Details of the people and places give you the feeling of being a part of the experience. Wonderful experience with the good and the bad being told. Out of all the books I've listened to about hiking this is bar far one of the best!!! Read it! Worth it!!!

Surprisingly entertaining and original nonfiction.

This is an unusual sort of narrative, although partly autobiographical, it is mostly about people who drift in and out of the author's life running a general store and hostel near the Georgia end of the Appalachian Trail. For Porter, it is kind of a spiritual adventure, living and rearing a family as life was lived in the distant past. His nonjudgmental approach to his customers and friends causes them to open up to him in intimate ways. He is neither naive nor overly cynical; he senses when he is being lied to, although on occasion, he is surprised to learn what skeletons some of his friends have been keeping in the closet. He's also a very good writer, with vivid descriptions of nature and people, and an excellent sense of timing.
The narrative is enhanced by the excellent reading by Jones Allen.

Great account of an iconic place

What did you love best about Just Passin' Thru?

I really liked the stories and accounts of everyday life on the AT.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Just Passin' Thru?

The author's account of running up Blood Mountain was very exciting.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

no but I never listen straight through.

Somewhat Disappointing

It's hard to say if it was the narration or the writing that made this book somewhat disappointing. As a former hiker I was motivated to listen and have pleasurably listened to other hiking sagas. It's the only thing I can do since I have injuries and I'm old.

I certainly expected characters and they were there. Some should have jumped off the page. Part of the problem was the seeming disdain the author held for many of those he encountered. You have to love the character for his own sake without making too many judgments. The author looked down on some of them which took away the joy of their oddities.

The bigger problem for me though was the narrator. He has a smooth and lovely voice and reads beautifully but many times accents were called for. For occasional characters he delivered a weak inauthentic southern accent. I have family in that area and I know what they sound like. A narrator who could deliver the right kind of accents was sorely needed in this book. But then, In fairness to the narrator, it didn't sound like the author wrote the dialogue with much regional influence.

There are other books of this type I would recommend long before I would recommend this.

Not positive

The author seemed annoyed with his customers. Not a book for someone who wants to read a positive book.

Loved the Tales!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. The narration was excellent, the stories interesting and overall, I was able to appreciate the care and concern Winston Porter had for those who walked their walk.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Just Passin' Thru?

When he relayed stories of the individuals he connected to and the love of his family.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. I enjoyed listening to it in stretches... kind of like a hiker takes the trail.