Walking with Rocks

Book excerpt: Looking for an original mid-life crisis to celebrate her 50th birthday, Esther Parry sold her house, quit her jobs, and flew to America with nothing but a backpack and plans to walk the Appalachian Trail. After finishing her undergraduate degree and the subsequent failure of her second marriage, she embarks upon a journey that turns out to be as much spiritual and emotional as it is physical. It's a journey of discovery...mostly discovering that she really, REALLY, hates rocks. Very soon it becomes obvious that the trail's description as "a bit rocky" is a ludicrous understatement. The relentless boulder fields become a pivotal feature of her journey and take her mental and physical endurance to its limit. The practicalities and dangers of trail life, and the challenging situations she encounters with complete naivety, are both amusing and sobering but it's her faith and the amazing kindness, hospitality and encouragement of complete strangers that carry her through.Honest and often funny, it will inspire you to find the courage to do 'that thing' that you never thought you could, but that you always dreamt you might.