Lessons Beyond the Horizon: A midlife education on the Appalachian Trail on Amazon.

Lessons Beyond the Horizon is about my 2022 thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. It is my sixth book and first memoir.

Lessons Beyond the Horizon is different from other trail memoirs. It’s a coming-of-age story of someone who has lived over half of his life. It not only describes my personal journey but also focuses on the people I met along the way. Other thru-hikers, trail angels, section hikers, local residents, and people on their second, third, or fourth thru-hike attempts taught lessons, lessons that would build upon each other as I traveled north. Lessons also came from the natural beauty and history along the trail. These lessons varied from the personal–insecurity, aging, loss, and empathy–to larger societal issues, such as family dynamics, war, race, crime, gender, economic, environmental, and even life itself. As the miles passed, the trail became a common thread, representing the interconnection of these lessons. This book does not judge others. Rather, with brutal honesty, I realized the beliefs, assumptions, and stereotypes I had long held were in need of a second look. And after my hike was over, these lessons delivered a simple, humble change I never quite expected.

Lessons Beyond the Horizon will make you laugh and cry. It is inspiring and sobering. This book is thoughtful, vulnerable, and fearless. It will challenge you to look and feel beyond yourself. Its words will paint the Appalachian Trail’s breathtaking landscapes within your mind. This book reveals our spirit to always try to be a little bit better.

And now it’s time to take that next step…