So, as I was cruising at 36,000 feet over the Midwest last week, I finally had the chance to read Bill Bryson's outstanding narrative nonfiction piece "A Walk in the Woods." It's hilarious and it has a really charming cover picture of a gigantic bear.
You MUST read this if you have ever seriously: walked; thought about walking; hiked; thought about hiking; wondered what life is like in the mountains south of the Mason-Dixon Line; worried about the depletion of natural resources; or just questioned how you would feel if you came face-to-face with a full grown moose while filtering water.
Bryson is a former reporter (yay!) and Iowa native who made good in England working for both the "Times," and the "Independent." He has also published several travel memoirs including "Neither Here Nor There," "The Lost Continent," and "Notes from a Small Island."
In "A Walk in the Woods," he hikes the Appalachian Trail with a Snickers-swilling, out-of-shape Des Moiner named, naturally, Katz. The memoir goes beyond just a travel log, however, and is peppered with richly researched descriptions of the history of the AT, the flora and fauna along the trail, and the impact that "civilization," as we know it, has had on Mother Nature's design.
I read it just because I'm training for the big 3Day. Andy read it long before I did because he loves the outdoors and has long desired to through hike the Trail. Between laughing out loud, wiping away tears and engulfing myself in Bryson's experience, I must admit, I fell in love with the idea, too. Someday, perhaps, I will don my massive pack and follow my hubby on a walk in the woods of our own. Until then, I will read and reread this marvelous book; and I fully believe you should too.
With best wishes for love, good health and happy summer reading,
Regs
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