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God Bless This Strip of Dirt: A Catholic's Spiritual Journey on the Appalachian Trail
When inexperienced hiker Kathleen Stephens decided to hike the 2,180 mile long Appalachian Trail she thought she knew what she was getting into. Arming herself with a year of research, a couple of weekend practice hikes, and a new backpack full of gear, she confidently started her hike on April 1st, 2013. She believed that common sense and strong faith in God would enable her to handle anything the trail could throw at her.
With a sense of humor she embraced the trail culture and community, so different from the world she knew as a conservative, southern 54 year old Catholic. She saw the beauty and brilliance of God the Creator in the spectacular views from the trail and in the diversity of the people she met along the way. Early on, what she knew about herself as a Christian was challenged, and eventually a series of painful events left both Kathleen and her faith shaken to the core.
How God was able to bring beauty from ashes and restore her faith is the story of His love for His creation.
With a sense of humor she embraced the trail culture and community, so different from the world she knew as a conservative, southern 54 year old Catholic. She saw the beauty and brilliance of God the Creator in the spectacular views from the trail and in the diversity of the people she met along the way. Early on, what she knew about herself as a Christian was challenged, and eventually a series of painful events left both Kathleen and her faith shaken to the core.
How God was able to bring beauty from ashes and restore her faith is the story of His love for His creation.
438 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 15, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 12, 2017
If you want to know what it's like to hike on the AT, this is it
While the author didn't complete a thru hike, it's still a highly accurate and personal telling of what long distance hiking can be like, especially if you are relatively inexperienced when you start. The author goes light on technical details, but gives an excellent showing of what the emotional ups and downs of living outdoors for an extended period of time can be like. I found myself flashing back to my own LASH hike on the AT at several points in the book, especially when she speaks of several hostels or the experience of camping in the middle of a severe thunderstorm. Well worth the read if you are ever considering a long distance hike of your own, or if someone you love is.
While the author didn't complete a thru hike, it's still a highly accurate and personal telling of what long distance hiking can be like, especially if you are relatively inexperienced when you start. The author goes light on technical details, but gives an excellent showing of what the emotional ups and downs of living outdoors for an extended period of time can be like. I found myself flashing back to my own LASH hike on the AT at several points in the book, especially when she speaks of several hostels or the experience of camping in the middle of a severe thunderstorm. Well worth the read if you are ever considering a long distance hike of your own, or if someone you love is.
December 26, 2017
Hiker envy
Since reading Barefoot Sisters Southbound, I have been addicted to hiking books. My only experience is limited to the approach trail at Amnicolla Falls. Since retirement, I have too many meds to take to attempt a hike. So I love vicariously through the journals of hikers. So, keep hiking!
Since reading Barefoot Sisters Southbound, I have been addicted to hiking books. My only experience is limited to the approach trail at Amnicolla Falls. Since retirement, I have too many meds to take to attempt a hike. So I love vicariously through the journals of hikers. So, keep hiking!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews