Walking to Vermont

by Christopher S. Wren

A distinguished former foreign correspondent embraces retirement by setting out alone on foot for nearly four hundred miles, and explores a side of America nearly as exotic as the locales from which he once filed.
Traveling with an unwieldy pack and a keen curiosity, Christopher Wren bids farewell to the New York Times newsroom in midtown Manhattan and saunters up Broadway, through Harlem, the Bronx, and the affluent New York suburbs of Westchester and Putnam Counties. As his trek takes him into the Housatonic River Valley of Connecticut, the Berkshires of Massachusetts, the Green Mountains of Vermont, and along a bucolic riverbank in New Hampshire, the strenuous challenges become as much emotional as physical.
Wren loses his way in a suburban thicket of million-dollar mansions, dodges speeding motorists, seeks serenity at a convent, shivers through a rainy night among Shaker ruins, camps in a stranger's backyard, panhandles cookies and water from a good samaritan, absorbs the lore of the Appalachian and Long Trails, sweats up and down mountains, and lands in a hospital emergency room.
Struggling under the weight of a fifty-pound pack, he gripes, "We might grow less addicted to stuff if everything we bought had to be carried on our backs." He hangs out with fellow wanderers named Old Rabbit, Flash, Gatorman, Stray Dog, and Buzzard, and learns gratitude from the anonymous charity of trail angels. His rite of passage into retirement, with its heat and dust and blisters galore, evokes vivid reminiscences of earlier risks taken, sometimes at gunpoint, during his years spent reporting from Russia, China, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, South America, and Africa.
He loses track of time, waking with the sun, stopping to eat when hunger gnaws, and camping under starry skies that transform the nights of solitude. For all the self-inflicted hardship, he reports, "In fact, I felt pretty good." Wren has woven an intensely personal story that is candid and often downright hilarious. As Vermont turns from a destination into a state of mind, he concludes, "I had stumbled upon the secret of how utterly irrelevant chronological age is."
This book, from the author of the acclaimed bestseller The Cat Who Covered the World, will delight not just hikers, walkers, and other lovers of the outdoors, but also anyone who contemplates retirement, wonders about foreign correspondents, or relishes a lively, off-beat adventure, even when it unfolds close to home.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Memoir, Nature, Adventure, Outdoors, History

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Cynda · Rating 3 out of 5]

On the the day he retired, Christopher Wren starts on a walk from New York City to his and wife's retirement home in Vermont. He travels mostly on the Appalachian Trail with a side trek on the Long Trail to visit some friends. On his walk, Wren takes with him a well-worn too-large backpack into which he has made space for his book of Thoreau. He also takes his elitism with him. As I start getting into the book, I wonder how much physical and nonphysical baggage he will let go off. I find he does let himself let go of of things in the same way we all do--bit by bit.

Along the way Wren expands his understanding of people--others and himself. He becomes accepting of people's use of language, their familiarity, their occassioanlly helping him to lighten his physical load. When a medical situation develops, Wren discovers the power and ease of friendship. Wren becomes more comfortable in his own skin.

Recognizing the benefits of his short Appalachian Trail walk--not quite 400 miles in 5 weeks--Wren writes this short memoir as an act of celebration.

[Kristin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Being from Vermont, I was very excited to read this book! Overall I enjoyed it, but it was a bit random and I was wishing for more insight and depth into how this journey effected him. The few scattered comments about women's features were random and did not bring anything to the book, especially when I would have liked to have heard more about his wife and family.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Both my parents were AT hikers. Dad finished it, Mom only completed around a third before she got ill on one of the mountains and had to be carried off by my Dad to face a surprise surgery. They were avid hikers later in life. When my Dad finally finished, well after my Mom passed, he wrote something in the final station in honor of her. Many of the stories related here, especially when he was hiking outside of New York, were familiar to me from stories my Dad told me. Dad was known as Gadgetman for all the ways he found to lower weight of his pack. I even felt exhausted as Wren finished his trek. I loved the attitude of his wife. I'd probably be Very Slow Slug as my hiker name, even if I were willing to hike it, which I'm not, after I fell years ago down a path on Table Rock, and I could feel vicariously the pains Wren was experiencing. More power to him for toughing it out. Readers may also enjoy some of the sections were he looks back at some of his experiences as a foreign correspondent.

[Preeti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5 stars

I picked this one up as part of my preparations for an upcoming trip to Vermont. Unfortunately, since Wren was walking to Vermont, there wasn't really much of the state in the book. However, I did end up enjoying it.

Wren is a retiring journalist - a foreign correspondent - for the New York Times, and decides to literally walk into his retirement. He is walking from his apartment in NYC to his house in Vermont. This involved walking through the city and its suburbs and then walking part of the Appalachian Trail.

Throughout the book, Wren reflects on his experiences as a foreign correspondent, comparing moments in current time with the past. It was really interesting to read his stories.

I also liked his descriptions of all the excesses of Americans, which rang true. Especially enjoyed this this tidbit he added: The Chinese describe such excess as "drawing a snake and adding feet." But sometimes, he definitely came off as entirely "you kids get off my lawn!" I.e., that crotchety old man you want to avoid. (Though I can't say I'm not getting there myself!)

Even though this didn't really have much to do with Vermont, I'm glad I picked it up. I need to read more books about the Appalachian Trail (and the Pacific Crest Trail, the West Cost equivalent).

Quotes I liked:

I slept no worse than anyone else might after trudging eleven miles over mountains, downing three beers, grilled salmon, a chicken quesadilla, and a banana pudding pie, then stretching out on a queen-size inner-spring mattress in a darkened room in front of C-SPAN. (p111)

Food writers can be a pretentious, irritating lot, and no more so than when they disparage chocolate desserts as sinful or decadent. Sin and decadence are words that define the human condition, not desserts. Sinful? Dropping poison gas on the Kurds when you're the despot of Iraq is sinful. Decadent? Ordering forty-dollar entrees and sixty-dollar bottles of wine in an exclusive restaurant in Manhattan is decadent, when the less privileged are sleeping on the grates outside. Chocolate is merely delicious, and what's the sin in that? (p121)

Today, American-style adolescence remains a luxury that much of the world still cannot afford. (p198)

Nostalgia's flaw is its selectivity. (p266)

[Mimi · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful book! I loved it. Wren is a former foreign correspondent who kicked off his retirement, at age 65, by walking from the New York Times newsroom in midtown Manhattan 400 miles away to his home in Vermont. As he writes about his travels along the trail, he also tells about some of the harrowing events that occurred when he was a foreign correspondent. Since I won't ever hike 400 miles, I totally enjoyed hiking the trail vicariously through Christopher S. Wren.

[Michael Schwartz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting read. It is crazy how hard it can be to walk America.

[Tracy Bloschichak · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really really wanted to love this book and I'm sad that I honestly didn't. The author went into too many tangents about his memories as a journalist in this or that place. He also came across as a very very grumpy old man with a "damn kids these days" mentality. I guess my quest for an awesome Vermont hiking memoir continues.....

[Maribeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting perspectives on the AT and Long trail (VT), both of which the author traipsed on his journey. His tales from his career as a foreign correspondant are pretty neat, too.

[Cathie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite quote: I went back to my room, showered, and changed to somewhat cleaner underwear. Then I stretched out in front of the television set. Did people really spend they afternoons watching drivel this inept when they could have been out walking? Or were they given no choice?

If every book were written like this I could easily read a hundreds of books a year. I see reviews people write as if they have a degree in literature review, they disect things I am not aware of on a conscious intellectual level. I am an ape.....I like what I like. I truly couldn't put this down in a way I haven't felt in many, many years. Was it because it was so well written? Was it because it was a subject I love? I am sure the second is a definite big part of the reason. What I have learned about something being well written is that a book written in a style that appeals to me is more important than a technical, linguistic "well written" style.

I loved the book, he hiked the way I feel I would, although I am more confident in my pace. He also stopped to learn about the history of the area and I loved that. When I hike I want to be one with the nature that surrounds me and part of that is knowing what happened through the history of the spot I am standing on. He enlightened me, I walk for exercise and now I realize I can just go walk insted of sitting, even if it is slow with no achievement in mind. And in that way, this book may literally have changed my life. I want to hike the entire AT, but I am apprehensive, he has given me hope.

I don't think this book is a phenomenol one that I would recommend everyone read, but it resonated with me to such a degree that I think It may be one of my most favorite books ever!

As of this moment I would say still say The Travelling Cat Chronicles by HIro Arikawa is my absolute favorite.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book I have read about walking the Appalachian Trail. In this book newly retired Christopher Wren walks out of New York to his retirement home in Vermont. Not sure why these books appeal to me. I am a walker, but I surely am too old to think about walking the Appalachian Trail, but it truly sounds fascinating. Mr. Wren doesn't even sound as if he prepared for such a long walking journey, yet, despite having possible Lyme's disease, he make it to his destination. Fun to read!

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was drawn to this book (found at a sale at Locust Grove in Kentucky) because I had visited Vermont in 2021 and found I wanted more personal reflections before I went back for a second trip.

Mr. Wren’s telling of his journey on foot from NYC to his home in Vermont was delightful and I enjoyed the interspersed stories of his foreign correspondent career.

Thanks, Mr. Wren, for the book and the memories.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting

I found this book interesting and easy to read. The author is walking into his retirement. He leaves his post at a major newspaper in New York City. He hikes into Connecticut and on to his own house in Vermont. He tells stories about not only the scenery but who he encounters along the way.

[Ford · Rating 2 out of 5]

Many of his stories were entertaining but about half way through the book got dull. Learning that you needed a trail name and about "trail magic" and "trail angels" make the book more interesting.
I am glad when I retired we took a family trip to Niagara Falls and stayed at a KOA Campground.

[Jennifer S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book. I enjoyed it because I live in Massachusetts and have visited some of the places he walked throughout his journey. ( Not the Appalation Trail part, though parts of it sound interesting!)

[Heather Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed every part of the story as it's really 3 in 1.
One being his experiences overseas while cooresponding for The Times
Two the hike itself
Three history of different places in each state he passed

[Lara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wren’s sense of humor is not my cup of tea.

[Tito Quiling, Jr. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Right after finishing a book featuring the sprawling town of Concord in Massachusetts, I went on to read a copy of Christopher Wren's "Walking to Vermont" thinking that I can envision the eastern side of the United States in a more personal frame, albeit in a specific lens. I picked this book alongside the previous one at the Book Stop Project book exchange. And so far, the titles I took home with me have been in the middle of the road.

In the opening chapter, the tone was reminiscent of Bryson's works, however, as one goes through the next chapters, the author makes it clear that walking from New York City to the suburbs and down to the woods of Vermont becomes an exercise in cognitive mapping. Along the way, he comes to his own realizations regarding specific practices of hikers, particularly handling a different name ("trail name") in order to sort of drop one's scent along the way. But for the most part, the book puts forward the author's musings of his past experiences as a war correspondent, father, among others. At this point, the interspersed memories for me has become a bit of a letdown because it seems to fall short of a deeper view, instead of presenting a mere recollection.

[Coralie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christopher Wren retired as a foreign correspondent for the New York times, departing for his retirement home in Fairlee, Vermont - on foot! This book is the story of his journey. I loved this book. Wren talks about the landscape and the history of the areas he hikes through. He describes the people he meets along the way, those who help him, those that he helps, those are mean and those who are nice. Throughout the story, when events that happen on the trail remind him of something that happened to him during his time covering world events, he shares those anecdotes as well. A great book. Since this author is my neighbor, and I can't look for J D Salinger now, I guess I will look for Christopher Wren.

This book was a lot like A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson, since Wren spent a lot of his hike on the Appalachian Trail, and Bryson was also a local author at the time he wrote A Walk in the Woods but they are very different books. Bryson goes into detail about the history of the Appalachian trail, and Wren barely touches on it. Bryson's book was meant to be funny. Wren's is humorous in places, but less obviously so. Both books are excellent.

[Amy Holiday · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ironically finished this one in Vermont. Many weeks after I started it. I love a good journey, and one that involves walking (especially on the Long Trail) holds a lot of fascination for me. This one was a bit slow going though.

I liked the concept--a man retires after a long career as a foreign correspondent, and walks from his office to his new home in retirement--but it may have been a little overly detailed--probably could have skipped a couple of days of hiking, pitching tent, cooking dinner, filtering water, etc. The passage of time seemed to be marked better by the notable landmarks and the trail companions.

The anecdotes about life as a foreign correspondent were interesting, but only seemed very, very loosely connected to the author's travels. I suppose it was more a reflection for him, how even hiking with all its dangers is nothing compared to the stories he covered as a journalist. Also it made me appreciate the lengths a journalist goes through to bring us the stories half a world a way.

I'd probably give it 3.5 stars but I'm upping to 4 because Vermont and the foreign correspondent thing.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Someday I'll walk the Appalachian Trail, or at least large sections of it. This is similar to Bill Bryson's A Walk in the Woods, but it isn't funny or goofy. Instead it is about walking into a new phase of life, for this author, it's retirement. He walks out of his office in New York City all the way to Vermont, mostly on the AT. I particularly liked his stories about "trail magic," where people would leave things behind for other hikers. The author always seemed to find what he needed, just at the moment of desperation. Donny and I saw a little bit of this in action when we walked a short distance on the Appalachian trail in Shenandoah NP this fall. Somebody left a beautifully carved walking stick/cane on the trail with a note that said to use the stick and then leave it for another hiker along the way. It made me wish that we were heading out for a long journey on the trail, so that we could really make use of it.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Walking to Vermont" is a worthy addition to anyone who collects, reads, and enjoys books on the culture of walking. I especially enjoyed it because it is also a worthy addition to literature related to the Appalachian Trail, and sits on my bookshelf besides Bryson's "A Walk in the Woods", Emblidge's "Appalachian Trail Reader" and Hall's "A Journey North."

This is not a book of discovery -- Mr. Wren knows who he is and is comfortable in his own shoes (but perhaps not his socks). The story reads like both a narrative and a memoir, as Mr. Wren recounts events and stories collected in a life as a foreign correspondent.

Fans of the Appalachian Trail and of the literature associated with it will be very familiar with the themes: trail magic, trail angels, trail names, and the wonderful people that make up the hiking culture.

I have been to the Hanover Ben and Jerry's and have never had a "White Blaze." I will protect my source on who informed me about it, however...

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

A enjoyable book by Christopher Wren as he makes his way from NY City to his retirement home in Vermont and he does the whole trip walking often alone and much of it along the Appalachian Trail and the Long Trail in Vermont. At one point he describes the four geographical zones he pass thorough as, "Go Away, Don't Bother Me, Hello and How Can I Help You" which describes his reception as he travels north away from the city and suburbs into the less settled country. The writing is good and I could easily picture the surroundings as hikes up and down the trails in sun and rain. If you can find it, give it a whirl.
ISBN - 0-7432-5152-0, Non-Fiction, Pages - 273, Print Size - R, Rating - 4.5
All books reviewed are from the library or purchased by the reviewer.

[Naturegirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so inspiring! Christopher wren was a foreign correspondent for the NY Times, and upon his retirement at 65, decided to walk from NYC up to his planned retirement home in Fairlee, VT. He meets up with friends along the way, is bitten by a deer tick, suffers from blisters and aches, meets many new acquaintances on the Appalachian Trail, and paints a picture that would make anyone want to abandon their car and start walking. I loved the story and recognized many of the places in VT he mentions. The book is peppered with stories of harrowing situations he found himself in as a correspondent, along with the history of some of the places he walks. Makes me want to quit my job and become one of the "in between jobs" hikers on the Appalachian Trail.

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a pleasant read. I found Wren's tale of his post-retirement walk from Times Square to his Vermont home quite entertaining. He spent much of his journey (once he cleared the hurdles of New York City and its suburbs) on the Appalachian Trail, and he humorously describes the through hikers he meets along the way.

I was less interested in the anecdotes of his time spent as a foreign correspondent for the New York Times, but overall this is an entertaining book. He makes some lovely observations about hiking at 65 years of age and about the New York and New England landscapes.

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

At age 65, Chris Wren ended his career one day and started his journey from New York to Vermont the next. This is the story of a world news journalist who finally took the time to explore his own country by walking the Appalachian Trail. A blend of observations about his age and current perspectives along with news anecdotes, this is a philosophical essay that is a reflection of Henry Thoreau's values.

[Emmett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christopher S. Wren begins his retirement from the New York Times, from Times Square in New York to his retirement home in Vermont. He battles mosquitoes, blisters, torrential downpours, an arthretic ankle, and Lyme disease along the way. Wren recounts some of his adventures as a foreign correspondent in the memoir, which is quite good. Love to read different tales from the Appalachian Trail, as I probably will not get to walk it!

[Blair · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed traveling along with Mr. Wren, former foreign correspondent, bureau chief, reporter and
editor of the NY Times. At 65 and the first day of his retirement he walks/hikes from NYT newsrooms
through Manhattan to the new family home in Vermont. Here's a well written memoir that includes
the significant ritual and magic of the Appalachian Trail or perhaps any long distance walk through
the Natural world. Thank you for this one, Mark.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christopher Wren retires from his job as a foreign correspondent for New York Times and walks 400 or so miles from Manhattan to his retirement home in Fairlee, VT. As he walks, he encounters and reflects on the culture of fellow
Trail walkers and the areas that he walks through.He shares his challenges, his gratitudes and memories of some of his difficult assignments overseas and in war zones. A good read.

[Auralia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. I now want to walk the Appalachian Trail. I loved the snippets of info about the authors foreign affairs days. He gives little tidbits about when he lived and worked in other parts of the world. The book was insightful and really a great read. I enjoyed every moment that it took to read this book.

[Sandie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the story of a foreign correspondent for the New York Times who upon retiring, left his office and walked to his former summer, now permanent,home in Vermont. The journey was about 400 miles. I was interested in reading his account of it, since I will never do it myself. I found the hikers culture and 'trail names' amusing. He still lives in Vermont so I guess it was a good choice.