Ok, so the book a month goal was not exactly met this year but the goal did spur more reading than previous years. If any time the getting hit be a Taco Truck Card can be pulled I think it is now. After all, almost dying should constitute for a do over, right? The last book of the year was finished just in time to make the 2010 deadline (aka the morning of Dec 31st).
This girl is one who loves nature, water, climbing, anything really that encompasses the outdoors. Well, everything but snakes and mosquitoes. I wouldn’t go as far as calling them an arch nemesis but they rank pretty high. Anyone who has spent anytime outside with those tiny blood sucking disease spreading vermin would concur! Anyway, knowing how much I enjoy the outdoors a friend of mine gave me this book to encourage my 2010 goal of reading.
The beginning is a bit fuzzing seeing that it was read back in July but the just finished end redeemed the lack of desire to finish the never ending pages. Bryson has a great sense of humor which brought a refreshing lightness when needed. Such as describing a moose as a 3 year old drawing of a cow. (I almost laughed out loud!) He often would go off on tangents though, talking about the history of the trees in the forest and then all breeds of trees. .. longing to skip ahead during those tangents I pushed on like Bryson and, his senseless companion, Katz. Over-informing as his tangents were most of them helped set a backdrop(most). As Bryson recanted his time on the Appalachian Trail I often felt as though I was with them on the trail myself. Not walking along side them, maybe 20 yards behind, just far enough never to be detected. He brought me back outside, if only mentally, while the scorching Texas summer held its inhabitants captive indoors.
The awakening feel of a shower after going without for several days. The smell of warm, home cooked food after eating noddles and canned meats. The smell of untainted air which ironically almost takes your breath away. The aches that come only from pushing beyond what thought possible. The sense of accomplishment when a destination is reached. The sounds of running springs and animals busily moving about. The brisk air on a cool morning. The night sky unfought by city lights. The paths free of adds leaving you to your own thoughts. Bryson reminded me why I have such a love for the outdoors and flooded my mind with unmatchable memories as he rehashed his own. His banter with Katz (who honestly makes the story and left me a bit lost when not walking with Bryson) reminded me of friends who act before thinking but tend to bring laughs from their stupidity. Bryson and Katz definitely had their ups and downs on this trail and they may not have made it as far as intended but the journey was not a loss! The end reminded me of the bit I wrote about there being no such thing as a minor victories for a victory is just that… a VICTORY.
Inspiration was found in these pages (in between the tangents) and now I want to go for a hike. Thanks for sharing your story with us Bill.
