Richard Judy's novel, THRU: An Appalachian Trail Love Story, was recently named a finalist in the Georgia Author of the Year Awards. THRU is a gritty, sometimes wacky, tale of a diverse group of thru-hikers who meet at Springer and form an unlikely bond on a 2,000-mile odyssey to Mt. Katahdin. The novel is published by the not-for-profit Appalachian Trail Museum which receives all proceeds. Richard is a two-time AT hiker, including a 1973 thru-hike. He also serves as board president of the popular Len Foote Hike Inn.