Book 11 - A Walk in the Woods - Bill Bryson

I'm almost caught up. I've finished book 11, and I've already started book 12! I'm not sure if I can finish it and write a blog entry by tonight, but at least I'm getting pretty close to being current.

A Walk in the Woods - Bill Bryson

I read this on a recommendation from a friend on Facebook, who noticed that I had "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by the same author on my potential reads list (at least I think she did). She assured me it was quite funny, and she was not wrong. This book is immensely entertaining, not to mention surprisingly informative.

Bryson tells the tale of his quest to hike the Appalachian trail. His original intent is to hike the full length, from Georgia to Maine. He sets out in early March from Springer Mountain in Georgia, the southernmost point of the trail, with an old school buddy named Stephen Katz. Katz is a recovering alcoholic and substance abuser and is seriously overweight and out of shape, having replaced booze and drugs with donuts and Little Debbie snack cakes. He provides much of the story's comic relief as he struggles to keep up on the trail, puffing and swearing and indiscriminately jettisoning key supplies and foodstuffs in order to lighten the load of his pack.

They amazingly make it to the north end of Smoky Mountain National Park, when they come to the realization that they are never going to complete the whole trail. Rather than quit, this realization re-energizes them, and after a cab ride to Knoxville and a rental car to Roanoke, they resume their hiking in Virginia, often camping on the trail, but sometimes visiting inns and hotels to clean up, have a good meal, and rejuvenate. They stop when they get to Skyland, as Bryson has to take a break to do some book promotion duties. Katz goes back to Iowa, promising to return to hike Maine in August. After fulfilling his obligations, Bryson returns to the trail in a series of day trips, driving to various locations and hiking, but spending the night indoors. In August, Katz returns to attempt a hike of the Hundred Mile Wilderness in Maine with Bryson in one of the northernmost parts of the trail.

Bryson generously peppers the story with interesting facts about the origin of the trail, the animals that inhabit the wilderness, and tales of bear attacks and murders that have occurred. He talks about the purpose of the Forest Service (to facilitate logging), and the ineptitude of the Park Service in maintaining parts of the trail and preserving animal and plant life in the forest. He tells stories of various towns near the trail, and describes many interesting characters that he meets along the way.

This is a wonderful book, even if your idea of roughing it is no room service. It is warm and funny and informative. I highly recommend it. Thanks, Betsy!