Except for that running scene in Forest Gump, I didn’t know there were people (real people?) who hiked, biked, ran and camped across the United States until my husband became fasinated with it. And when I say “across the United States” I mean from one coast to the opposite coast or from the Northernmost point of the country to the South. I’ve always been a fan of hiking, but the thought of doing it daily for months on end (while camping) was never something that occurred to me as something anyone – and certainly I – might ever do.
I found myself relating to Gail Storey, the author of I Promise Not to Suffer: A Fool For Love Hikes the Pacific Crest Trail from the first page…particularly because of her husband’s enthusiasm for the 6 month, intense hike that they were about to undertake and for her hesitation. She had never done anything like this, and yet she went for her husband. To be with her husband.
From the challenges that she faced – from the beginning of their journey, starting at the US/Mexico border all the way up to the US/Canada border – until the end of their 6-month hike, as well as the joys and personal discoveries had me enthralled. I could imagine the beautiful sights that they encountered, I could feel their frustrations and their excitement. It truly was a roller coaster of emotions. But what an accomplishment!
After reading the book, I was able to connect with Gail Storey and thank her for sharing her experience and she was generous enough to email me a few pictures from their hike along the Pacific Crest Trail. The book and the pictures almost make me want to do something like this myself. Almost.
I found this book laugh-out-loud funny at moments and touching at even more. This is a book about discovering one’s self as well as a book about how to make a marriage stronger. It’s a powerful and intensely personal memoir, relevant for trail lovers and homebodies alike. Gail’s personality pops out of the pages so that you’ll feel like you’re sitting on her living room couch, looking through her photo album and listening to her tell trail stories over a cup of hot chocolate.
Have you ever dreamed of doing something like this? What are your unique bucket list items and what would you learn from doing them?
Connect with the author:
Twitter: @Gailstorey and #IPNTSreview
Facebook: Facebook.com/gail.storey.7
Enter to win a copy of I Promise Not to Suffer: A Fool For Love Hikes the Pacific Crest Trail
One Better in Bulk reader will receive a copy (your choice of ebook or hard copy) of I Promise Not to Suffer: A Fool For Love Hikes the Pacific Crest Trail by Gail Storey. Enter in the Rafflecopter form below. A winner will be chosen at random and notified via email. Ends 8/30/13. Good luck!
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
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Lolli, thank you so much for your wonderful review of my book! I really appreciate your insights, and the comments from your readers as well.
My husband has done part of the Pacific Crest trail in Washington, but I cannot imagine him doing the entire thing and being gone for 6 months, AHH!
I want to make it to Australia and Ireland some day. Hopefully, I’ll get there!
PCT is on the bucket list for several of my family members–I’m not so sold on the plan. I think I’d prefer to use trails to run ultras and then sleep in a real bed! Ran my first marathon last year–trail and/or ultra running is next on the bucket list :)
I would love to travel to exotic places (Thailand, Bora Bora, etc.). As far as pushing myself, I’d love run a 5k and half-marathon.
Great article