Love at First Hike is the story of a college graduate who set out to fulfill a childhood dream of hiking the Appalachian Trail from start to finish. In the woods she enjoyed the bliss of being surrounded by nature, the peacefulness of small trail towns, and the companionship of fellow hikers. Unexpectedly, amidst a backdrop of wind-swept mountains, tranquil valleys, and breathtaking sunsets, she experienced a blossoming romance. After an unpreventable injury forced her off the trail, she feared that both her dream of reaching Mount Katahdin and her hope for the relationship were gone. Little did she know what the future held.
Michelle Pugh was born in Atlanta, Georgia, but grew up mainly in Wilbraham, Massachusetts. She moved to Greenville, South Carolina, to attend Furman University, where she earned a degree in philosophy. After college, she hiked the Appalachian Trail, which was the inspiration for her book, Love at First Hike. Michelle has lived in five states since college, but has now settled in Simpsonville, South Carolina, where she works as an Emergency Medical Technician. When she is not working she enjoys hiking, camping, reading, cooking, and quilting.
A fun read. I enjoyed many parts of the book, especially the unusual adventures the author relates. Her dedication to walking and climbing the Appalachian Trail is admirable.
I think it's a great engaging and personal memoir. She is also a great friend of mine, who I grew up with and fell in love with the outdoors and the A.T. at the exact same place as her. Reading her description in the beginning of the book of Enchanted Forest at CBB makes me remember each sight and sound of it. I love her writing style and felt like I was hiking right along with her. Even if I had already known the story, read her trail journey as she hiked and knew how it would end, I still wanted to continue with her along the trail.
I think her story, does a great job at balancing the good and bad of the trail, it makes you want to pick up a backpack and go hike and explore it yourself.
Even if your not into the outdoors or hiking, I highly recommend picking up the book..
I really, really enjoyed this book and it gave me a new-found respect for anyone that even attempts to complete the AT (and especially thru-hikers). However....spoiler alert...I was extremely disappointed to learn that they divorce after their whole journey together. And worse...it only was given one sentence of explanation?!!? I would have preferred more info after reading the entire love story on the trail. Glad I didn't know this going into the book, though, it would have changed everything for me. Overall, good book...but sad about the end result. :(
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Although it was great reading about this couple's hike, it made me realize that hiking the AT is NOT for me. I'm too fond of creature comforts. Anyone who plans to hike the trail, or thinks they might like to, should read this very honest tale of a successful hike.
What can I say? I am totally addicted to books about AT hikes. This was a particularly good one. I really enjoyed it once I figured out when she did her hike. I think that should have been stated on the jacket....and that is the only reason I did not give it 5 stars.