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A National Park Love Story: A Journey to Visit All 63 U.S. National Parks
FROM HEARTBREAK TO HIKING TRAILS - A LOVE STORY WRITTEN ACROSS AMERICA'S MOST PRECIOUS TREASURES!
2nd Place 2025 Best Sellers World 2025 Reviewers Choice Awards in Biography/Memoir!
FINALIST of the 2025 American Writing Awards for non-fiction, travel story!
Semi-Finalist 2026 Indies Today
"Wonderful Read! - Great Guide. Gives details of trails (but not too much), w here to stay and eat, and some interesting facts about the park and surrounding towns. It is like Rick Steves but with a heart. It is an inspirational guide that will make you want to purchase or put on your hiking shoes and get out there an explore our beautiful country!" Kate (Verified Reviewer)
Some journeys begin with a single step. Theirs began with a click!
Two middle-aged divorcees connect online, never expecting that a spontaneous getaway would set the course for a timeless love story spanning fifteen years and 63 national parks. What started as whimsy became a mission, one that carried them across mountains and deserts, forests and canyons, through laughter, tears, and every shade of life in between.
Along the trails they hiked and the vistas they embraced, they also faced life’s fiercest blending families, battling cancer, nearly losing a child, and rediscovering the joy of living and loving fully. From an unexpected first trip to one final, unforgettable adventure, theirs is not just a travel story - it’s proof that second chances are worth taking.
But through it all, one truth echoed
In chasing sunsets and summits, we found second chances and forever!
HEALING LOVE STORY ETCHED IN STONE, SKY, & SECOND CHANCES!
More than a travel memoir, our book of love is a breathtaking testament to love, resilience, and the healing embrace of nature, truly inspired by the national parks. Poignant, uplifting, and unforgettable, this travel adventure romance book stands as a testament to the beauty of second chances and the way nature can write the greatest stories of all.
If you’ve ever longed for healing, hope, or a horizon worth chasing, this travel memoir book will take you there!
GRAB THIS BOOK NOW!
2nd Place 2025 Best Sellers World 2025 Reviewers Choice Awards in Biography/Memoir!
FINALIST of the 2025 American Writing Awards for non-fiction, travel story!
Semi-Finalist 2026 Indies Today
"Wonderful Read! - Great Guide. Gives details of trails (but not too much), w here to stay and eat, and some interesting facts about the park and surrounding towns. It is like Rick Steves but with a heart. It is an inspirational guide that will make you want to purchase or put on your hiking shoes and get out there an explore our beautiful country!" Kate (Verified Reviewer)
Some journeys begin with a single step. Theirs began with a click!
Two middle-aged divorcees connect online, never expecting that a spontaneous getaway would set the course for a timeless love story spanning fifteen years and 63 national parks. What started as whimsy became a mission, one that carried them across mountains and deserts, forests and canyons, through laughter, tears, and every shade of life in between.
Along the trails they hiked and the vistas they embraced, they also faced life’s fiercest blending families, battling cancer, nearly losing a child, and rediscovering the joy of living and loving fully. From an unexpected first trip to one final, unforgettable adventure, theirs is not just a travel story - it’s proof that second chances are worth taking.
But through it all, one truth echoed
In chasing sunsets and summits, we found second chances and forever!
HEALING LOVE STORY ETCHED IN STONE, SKY, & SECOND CHANCES!
More than a travel memoir, our book of love is a breathtaking testament to love, resilience, and the healing embrace of nature, truly inspired by the national parks. Poignant, uplifting, and unforgettable, this travel adventure romance book stands as a testament to the beauty of second chances and the way nature can write the greatest stories of all.
If you’ve ever longed for healing, hope, or a horizon worth chasing, this travel memoir book will take you there!
GRAB THIS BOOK NOW!
348 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 22, 2025
About the author
Chris Truxell
3 books5 followersChris is a debut author whose lifelong passion for books extends to co-leading two spirited book clubs alongside friends, family, and her local library. After a successful 25-year career owning a marketing research firm, she now enjoys semi-retirement, dedicating her love of learning and life coaching skills to the next generation as a substitute high school teacher. Beyond the classroom and her latest read, Chris embraces an active lifestyle, enjoying workouts, hiking, and biking. She also treasures time with her family and the simple joy of a sunset. IG-@anationalparklovestory
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 3, 2026
America's national parks are full of breathtaking awe and wonder. The amazing views, natural scenery, and awesome experiences make national parks a great place to form friendships, meet new people, and even fall in love. Authors Chris Truxell and Jeff Crum use their commitment to visit American’ national parks as a way to firm up their commitment to each other. A National Park Love Story: 63 Parks, 15 Years, One Dream (Self-published, 2025, 346 pages), is the chronicle of the authors desire to experience the world around them and to experience each other through visiting the national parks. A National Park Love Story is an enjoyable read that reflects the authors desire to share their relationship and their world with the reader.
America’s national parks are a great place to rest, relax, reflect on, and contemplate the world of mother nature. Chris and Jeff decide to explore all 63 national parks as a way to explore what their life together is about and how the struggles of emerging from two toxic marriages can sometimes overwhelm people who are simply looking to find someone to spend time with. A National Park Love Story underscores the importance of understanding just how difficult relationships can be. Their commitment to recovering from their pasts and to sharing that recovery with the reader is the foundational piece of what makes this a good story. Their nonjudgemental view of life and of the baggage of creating a new family from the broken parts of others is what helps to carry A National Park Love Story through to the finish line.
Books like A National Park Love Story tend to not pique the interest of this reviewer. These books are usually found to have too much in the way of detail that does not support the overall story. However, this story was different. A National Park Love Story was written to illustrate the idea that family and relationships are an ever-evolving work in progress. Relationships are not perfect and require the kind of effort that is almost superhuman to maintain. Chris and Jeff are open and honest about their struggles and about how their life together is not viewed through rose colored glasses.
A National Park Love Story is a well-written story that anyone who has been through trauma and the renewed energy of hope and relationships can sympathize and identify with. The narrative flows easily and reads like a novel of hope and sacrifice. The language is simplistic and engaging. A reader looking for an engrossing nonfiction journey would do well to read A National Park Love Story. This reviewer enjoyed it immensely.
Matt
America’s national parks are a great place to rest, relax, reflect on, and contemplate the world of mother nature. Chris and Jeff decide to explore all 63 national parks as a way to explore what their life together is about and how the struggles of emerging from two toxic marriages can sometimes overwhelm people who are simply looking to find someone to spend time with. A National Park Love Story underscores the importance of understanding just how difficult relationships can be. Their commitment to recovering from their pasts and to sharing that recovery with the reader is the foundational piece of what makes this a good story. Their nonjudgemental view of life and of the baggage of creating a new family from the broken parts of others is what helps to carry A National Park Love Story through to the finish line.
Books like A National Park Love Story tend to not pique the interest of this reviewer. These books are usually found to have too much in the way of detail that does not support the overall story. However, this story was different. A National Park Love Story was written to illustrate the idea that family and relationships are an ever-evolving work in progress. Relationships are not perfect and require the kind of effort that is almost superhuman to maintain. Chris and Jeff are open and honest about their struggles and about how their life together is not viewed through rose colored glasses.
A National Park Love Story is a well-written story that anyone who has been through trauma and the renewed energy of hope and relationships can sympathize and identify with. The narrative flows easily and reads like a novel of hope and sacrifice. The language is simplistic and engaging. A reader looking for an engrossing nonfiction journey would do well to read A National Park Love Story. This reviewer enjoyed it immensely.
Matt
May 6, 2026
A really heartfelt travel memoir
This book ended up being much more emotional and personal than I expected. It’s not just about visiting national parks, it’s about second chances, healing, relationships, and building a life together through adventure.
I liked that it mixes real travel experiences with personal storytelling without feeling overly dramatic or overly technical. The park details and hiking moments were interesting, but the connection between the authors is what really carried the story for me.
Overall, a warm and inspiring read that made me want to get outside and explore more.
This book ended up being much more emotional and personal than I expected. It’s not just about visiting national parks, it’s about second chances, healing, relationships, and building a life together through adventure.
I liked that it mixes real travel experiences with personal storytelling without feeling overly dramatic or overly technical. The park details and hiking moments were interesting, but the connection between the authors is what really carried the story for me.
Overall, a warm and inspiring read that made me want to get outside and explore more.
February 26, 2026
A Journey of Love, Healing, and Wide Open Spaces
A National Park Love Story touched me with its honesty and warmth.
The blend of hiking trails, real life struggles, and growing love felt genuine and deeply human.
I loved how the national parks become part of the relationship rather than just a backdrop.
The story shows how love can grow stronger through illness, family challenges, and time.
This book left me inspired to believe that new beginnings can happen at any stage of life.
A National Park Love Story touched me with its honesty and warmth.
The blend of hiking trails, real life struggles, and growing love felt genuine and deeply human.
I loved how the national parks become part of the relationship rather than just a backdrop.
The story shows how love can grow stronger through illness, family challenges, and time.
This book left me inspired to believe that new beginnings can happen at any stage of life.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews