Stuck in the Weeds: A pilgrim on the Mississippi River and the Camino de Santiago

by Paul V. Stutzman

A teenage boy with a hot car, a paddler on the Mississippi River, and a pilgrim on the Camino de Santiago… “Imprisoned in my kayak, I leaned back and wondered if this choice I had made was perhaps the most foolish, ill-advised choice of my entire life.” Paul Stutzman was stuck in the weeds. Literally stuck, in the thick weeds of a Mississippi River swamp. All of us at one time or another are “stuck.” We may find ourselves at a place in our jobs, our marriages, our parenting, or our faith when there seem to be no answers and no clear path ahead. What does a follower of Jesus do then? Stutzman gives an honest account of events and questions in his own life that left him feeling just as stuck as the thick, impenetrable swamp weeds that confounded his Mississippi River journey. In a pilgrimage to find answers and clarity on personal and faith issues, he hikes a famous trail in Spain and ponders how choosing to be a disciple of Christ affects the pilgrimage of a believer. His reflections will challenge the discipleship of every follower of Jesus.

360 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 18, 2015

About the author

Paul Stutzman is a restaurant-manager-turned-captivating-storyteller who left his career after his wife's death from breast cancer. His passion and mission is to share what he learned on his thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. When he is not hiking or biking cross-country, he makes his home in Ohio.

Reviews

[Libby N · Rating 5 out of 5]

“When we are broken down, then we can be broken open.” And boy did this pilgrimage do just that to him, to me as a reader. It’s a beautiful thing to read a book as if a friend is telling a story. You don’t just get the details of what happened but how it shaped them. The good, the ugly, the incredible. The Christian insights as he’s walking along are so beautiful.
There’s the right word for this book: beautiful.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm from the author's hometown of Millersburg, Ohio and bought this primarily for his thoughts on walking the Camino but the first third of the book is a review of his attempt to kayak the Mississippi River. I would have preferred he skipped that and wrote more detail about his Camino adventures. The overall book is well written and the author's commentary enjoyable. He is a fellow Christian and frequently relates things that happen to him to Bible stories. His zest for life comes thru in this writings.

[Kelli Braley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read by Paul Stutzman

I love Paul Stutzman's writing style as he shares his adventures and lessons learned along the way. Lessons about life, and God and treasuring loved ones.

[Esther · Rating 5 out of 5]

Page 282. For some reason when we’re in the middle of something we don’t really enjoy it to the fullest. But later we look back and realize what an amazing experience we’ve had.
Page 301. God speaks to his people in many ways. Watch for his messages. Listen for his voice.

[Jennifer Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pilgrim's progress


We are all searching for meaning and direction in our lives. This is the story of one pilgrim's journey. I highly recommend it, in fact I recommend all of Paul's books. My grandmother and I met him a few years ago, after reading Hiking Through. It is one of my favorite memories of traveling with her.

[Laurie Mcclary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy reading how the author writes. It is as if he is sitting across the table from you telling you the story over a cup of coffee. And, since I am contemplating hiking "The Cameo" I found his experience interesting and enlightening. I also enjoy the devotions or biblical analogies he incorporates into his experiences.

[Greg Gudorf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Warms the Heart

I’ve become a fan of Paul Stutzman’s journey as he finds His Way in and through his life. This book had me alternating between tears and cheers and I look forward to evermore. Perhaps our paths might even meet down the line.

[amy letts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stuck in the weeds

Great book .. highly recommend..one mans continuing journey to get closer to the Father in heaven and what he wants in his life to be a true follower.