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Aren't You Afraid?: American Discovery Trail from the Atlantic Ocean to Nebraska
79-year-old Mary—Triple Crown long-distance hiker—Hikes Again!
The American Discovery Trail is a trail for discovery. It’s different kind of trail. And it's a different kind of hike. And this is a different kind of book.
Mary holds nothing back as she pours onto the page rich narrative of life experiences and her reflections on fear and overcoming fear. Up close and colorful, she recounts her solo-hike along the ADT from the Atlantic Ocean to Omaha, Nebraska.
What makes this trail so different?
The ADT is not all wilderness trail, though it does cross through some wilderness areas. There’s no long string of mountain ranges to follow like on the National Scenic Trails. A walk across the middle of the USA requires meeting people, interacting with strangers to find resources: campsites (sometimes in people’s yards), water (when natural sources contain possible chemical contamination), and other necessities of life.
As on any long-section hike, there are challenges, new sights, and tons of beauty. One mile at a time, Mary discovers America and shines a mellow, engaging light on its real people and its delight-for-the-senses scenery.
Sometimes Mary Feels Afraid
Mary reflects on fear, her own and others’ fears for her. She often challenges the fear—no matter whose it is.
Mary may challenge you too: what you think about hiking and your assumptions and fear of other people, who may be different from you. She may even challenge you to think about faith and what that word means to you.
So, come along with Mary for the hike through Delaware, Maryland, Washington DC, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa. Discover this trail across America, ponder your own thoughts on fear while reading hers, and, possibly, even consider your own faith, whatever it may be.
The American Discovery Trail is a trail for discovery. It’s different kind of trail. And it's a different kind of hike. And this is a different kind of book.
Mary holds nothing back as she pours onto the page rich narrative of life experiences and her reflections on fear and overcoming fear. Up close and colorful, she recounts her solo-hike along the ADT from the Atlantic Ocean to Omaha, Nebraska.
What makes this trail so different?
The ADT is not all wilderness trail, though it does cross through some wilderness areas. There’s no long string of mountain ranges to follow like on the National Scenic Trails. A walk across the middle of the USA requires meeting people, interacting with strangers to find resources: campsites (sometimes in people’s yards), water (when natural sources contain possible chemical contamination), and other necessities of life.
As on any long-section hike, there are challenges, new sights, and tons of beauty. One mile at a time, Mary discovers America and shines a mellow, engaging light on its real people and its delight-for-the-senses scenery.
Sometimes Mary Feels Afraid
Mary reflects on fear, her own and others’ fears for her. She often challenges the fear—no matter whose it is.
Mary may challenge you too: what you think about hiking and your assumptions and fear of other people, who may be different from you. She may even challenge you to think about faith and what that word means to you.
So, come along with Mary for the hike through Delaware, Maryland, Washington DC, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa. Discover this trail across America, ponder your own thoughts on fear while reading hers, and, possibly, even consider your own faith, whatever it may be.
- GenresNonfiction
499 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 10, 2020
104 people are currently reading
94 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
September 21, 2021
I love the combination of hiking, fighting your fears, and faith in the book. While I'm not a long distance hiker (yet?), I enjoy reading about the author's adventures and her interactions with people she meets on and along the trail. The author is an inspiration to keep following your passions no matter your age!
December 27, 2020
Mary Davison is an authentic person. Her writing, like her life, apparently, reflects core values most of us hold in high regard, and so the book is uplifting, encouraging, and nourishing. In reading Aren't You Afraid? I felt like I was on the trail with her. It was a bit of a strange journey in that it was largely in the urban setting, and that challenged me. A major take-away for me is to be open to opportunities to bless people who want to gift me with their time and resources, rather than simply declining their offer of presence or presents. And I am honored to be quoted by Medicare Pastor in this memoir.
December 21, 2021
Mary Davison has long-distance hiked the Triple Crown: Appalachian Trail (AT), the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), and the Continental Divide Trail. Now she has set her sights on the coast-to-coast American Discovery Trail that goes a total of 6,800 miles.
She is a preacher so she councils people along the trail. She also makes a lot of friends and is not afraid to meet others and ask for help as she thru-hikes across America.
This book ends after she gets to Nebraska. Although she hopes to do more, she is in her 80’s, and Covid-19 has stopped her so far from completing her journey.
The hike is different from the mountain ones where it is flatter and goes through more urban areas. There are also a lot fewer places to camp and you either have to find a hotel or ask strangers if you can hike on their land.
It was an interesting read and was different from other thru-hiking books since it is a less wilderness hike and goes through back yards and neighborhoods of America.
She is a preacher so she councils people along the trail. She also makes a lot of friends and is not afraid to meet others and ask for help as she thru-hikes across America.
This book ends after she gets to Nebraska. Although she hopes to do more, she is in her 80’s, and Covid-19 has stopped her so far from completing her journey.
The hike is different from the mountain ones where it is flatter and goes through more urban areas. There are also a lot fewer places to camp and you either have to find a hotel or ask strangers if you can hike on their land.
It was an interesting read and was different from other thru-hiking books since it is a less wilderness hike and goes through back yards and neighborhoods of America.
June 12, 2022
This book was awesome! I had read the author's previous book "Old Lady on the Trail" and when I saw that she had written another one, I just had to get it. I really love her writing style. The descriptions are vivid and arresting. I especially love her descriptions of the flowers and scenery. It really helps me picture the scene. The hiking in this book was a little different from the hiking on the wilderness trails in the first book. But it was just as enjoyable reading about it. The author posed some thoughtful and insightful questions and I feel she did a good job of showing us how we can overcome our fears, and yet at the same time, use it to alert us to dangerous situations. I enjoyed this book very much and can heartily recommend it.
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September 23, 2020I have looking forward to this book since reading the authors first book “Old Lady on the Trail” was published. I was not disappointed! Wonderful feel good book about traveling the road and trails through Americas heartland as told by a retired pastor who happens to be a 79 year old woman. Her tales of meeting strangers that quickly became friends and offered “trail magic” to a person walking with their home on their back will warm your heart. She tells her tales with blunt honesty and takes the reader on the highs and lows of backpacking in the rural USA. A must read if you love adventure and can use some reassurance that there are still a lot of good people out there. Highly recommend.
March 10, 2021
Great Read!
Really enjoyed the first book, and this one was also enjoyable! Different in the aspect
of the lack of wilderness and mountains, but enjoyable nevertheless. My wife and I are avid section hikers of the AT. We are in our 60s, and have hiked all but 139 miles
of the AT over the years. Love the freedom hiking provides! Good luck on your next
trek... Look forward to a third book!
Really enjoyed the first book, and this one was also enjoyable! Different in the aspect
of the lack of wilderness and mountains, but enjoyable nevertheless. My wife and I are avid section hikers of the AT. We are in our 60s, and have hiked all but 139 miles
of the AT over the years. Love the freedom hiking provides! Good luck on your next
trek... Look forward to a third book!
November 30, 2021
Whether you are a long-distance hiker, a vicarious thru-hiker or simply take an occasional saunter in your neighborhood you will enjoy ‘walking along’ with Mary Davison on the American Discovery Trail. Davison’s second book (her first was Old Lady on the Trail—Triple Crown at 76) is beautifully written. The pages offer up a delightfully fresh perspective of an older woman’s long-distance hikes. Fun to read and a wonderful reminder of the good in humanity found along any journey.
December 19, 2020
Wonderful topic!
In a time when so much is beyond our control, how refreshing to find someone who walks their talk. Literally!!!! Inspiring, motivating, encouraging all of us to get up and get moving. DON'T BE AFRAID. Be kind, gracious, thankful for all acts of kindness makes a big difference in this world we all share. Thank You "friend" for writing this new book.
In a time when so much is beyond our control, how refreshing to find someone who walks their talk. Literally!!!! Inspiring, motivating, encouraging all of us to get up and get moving. DON'T BE AFRAID. Be kind, gracious, thankful for all acts of kindness makes a big difference in this world we all share. Thank You "friend" for writing this new book.
August 28, 2022
Mary Davidson hiked hundreds of miles across the USA at age 79. I love this book so much! Every time I sat down to read it, I left feeling positive and inspired! And ready to do some exercise! Mary Davidson is amazing, brave, and interesting throughout the book. I’ve been more open with strangers after reading about her positive interactions with strangers all over the country.
November 4, 2023
Not many hikers would have put up with the bad weather, poor trail maintenance or lack of trail, physical aches & pains, injuries & knee replacements & having to ask for shelter on a routine basis. But Mary did it 'one step at a time' & accomplished her goal. Amazing person. There is hope for the senior population.
January 8, 2024
Mary Davidson is amazing and inspiring. I camp, hike and paddle mostly alone or with my dog, and usually feel more comfortable than when I’m part of a group - although as Mary notes you often find your community on the trail. Loved her first memoir on hiking the triple crown. The America Discovery Trail is such a different experience, I was really excited to experience it through her eyes.
September 14, 2025
Aren't you afraid?
Another fine story about not only hiking, but life. Mary shares her trail experiences, but also discusses the concept of fear, and how we can so often let fear dictate how we live. I'm inspired to not let fear do that in my life, whether taking up long distance hiking or in my everyday life.
Another fine story about not only hiking, but life. Mary shares her trail experiences, but also discusses the concept of fear, and how we can so often let fear dictate how we live. I'm inspired to not let fear do that in my life, whether taking up long distance hiking or in my everyday life.
October 13, 2020
Sequel rises above
Mary Davidson outshines herself in her second book chronicling her long distance hiker journeys. This book has purpose (a reflection on fear) that is delicately woven into her story.
Mary Davidson outshines herself in her second book chronicling her long distance hiker journeys. This book has purpose (a reflection on fear) that is delicately woven into her story.
April 8, 2021
I thought this book was very relatable in regards to letting fear overcome your senses. I feel like it was inspirational in regards to the human factor... it's too easy to cocoon ourselves into isolation, especially with the covid pandemic.
April 9, 2021
Old woman
I enjoyed Mary 's first book so much, I was glad to learn she
had written another. I do admire her knowledge and courage. I have never hiked, but feel I have through her books. Loved how she included her faith as well.
I enjoyed Mary 's first book so much, I was glad to learn she
had written another. I do admire her knowledge and courage. I have never hiked, but feel I have through her books. Loved how she included her faith as well.
January 31, 2022
Repetitive
While I enjoyed Old Lady on the trail very much, I found this book to be quite repetitive in nature, with an over-emphasis on finding and using toilets. Having said that, though, I have great admiration for Mary and her accomplishments.
While I enjoyed Old Lady on the trail very much, I found this book to be quite repetitive in nature, with an over-emphasis on finding and using toilets. Having said that, though, I have great admiration for Mary and her accomplishments.
October 25, 2025
I hike through Mary's hikes since I am unable to do so.
After reading Old Lady On The Trail, I decided I wanted to follow Mary on her adventures. I enjoyed the inclusion of pictures to give extra enjoyment to the read. Thanks!
After reading Old Lady On The Trail, I decided I wanted to follow Mary on her adventures. I enjoyed the inclusion of pictures to give extra enjoyment to the read. Thanks!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews