Tales from the Trail: Stories from the Oldest Hiker Hostel on the Appalachian Trail

by Sherry Blackman

During the 2020 pandemic, one thing held true: Scores of people headed out for a day hike on the Appalachian Trail (AT) as if being in the woods, immersed in beauty and mystery, immunized them against an invisible enemy. The AT became a hospital for souls locked up in quarantine, needing to breathe, stretch, and be nourished by the earth beneath their feet.

For decades, the AT has been a sanctuary for seekers, the tired and the lost; those hungry for renewal, the broken and the grieving; and those who want to face and answer questions they have lugged around with them in invisible backpacks. Questions like, what is next for me? Is there a God? Should I live or end it all? How can I liberate my life from what weighs it down? How can I forgive God?

This book pays tribute to those who dare such a grueling and soul-satisfying adventure. It tells the tales of those on a pilgrimage through insightful conversations and encounters, exploring and revealing what angels the hikers wrestle with in the wilderness who call out to name them again. This collection unveils the spirituality of any such journey in sometimes humorous, sometimes heart-wrenching portraits.

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel

266 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 16, 2022

About the author

Author Sherry Blackman
Sherry Blackman graduated Summa Cum Laude from Drew Theological Seminary with her Masters of Divinity degree in 2006. She was awarded the “Outstanding Achievement in Biblical Studies” Award by the American Bible Society in 2006. Following graduation, while writing the “Faith Matters” column for The New Jersey Herald, she discovered the truck stop ministry. She began serving as chaplain at the Travel Center of America in Columbia, New Jersey, where she’s been ever since. She was ordained with the Presbyterian Church of the United States of America (PCUSA) in 2007 and is currently the solo pastor of The Presbyterian Church of the Mountain in Delaware Water Gap, Pa., which houses the oldest continuously-running hikers hostel on the Appalachian Trail. She was a Campus Chaplain for Bloomfield College, Bloomfield, New Jersey. Currently, she’s a chaplain for the Pennsylvania State Police.
Before seminary, Blackman worked as a journalist for 25 years and traveled to over two dozen countries for her work, including Saudi Arabia, India, Pakistan, Russia, Israel, Cuba, Iceland, Siberia, Estonia, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, Mexico, Morocco, and Kenya, among others. Her work has appeared in dozens of national and international magazines and newspapers, including The Christian Science Monitor, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The World & I magazine, among others. Her first nonfiction book, Call to Witness: One Woman’s Battle with Disability, Discrimination and a Pharmaceutical Powerhouse was published in 2013 by Broad Street Publishing of Monroe Cty. PA. Blackman is also the founder of Writing for Revelation Workshops, which she has led throughout New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.

Reviews

[Kira FlowerChild · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm done. I can't honestly say I read every word. The last sixty or so pages, I skimmed a lot. Let's just say the author and I don't see eye-to-eye on certain subjects, and the emphasis on religion put me off. I am interested in reading about hikers' experiences on the trail, including any spiritual epiphanies they may have, but this was not the book I was expecting. It's my fault. I should have read the author bio and some reviews before I chose this book. I only looked at the title. If you are a religious person, and you like stories of people who do long thru-hikes, you will probably enjoy this book, which is why I gave it three stars. It's not a bad book, it's just not for me, and it was a real struggle for me to read it. Flashbacks to my childhood sitting in the pews of a radical evangelical church.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I'm going to add this brief note up front. I'm not a religious person at all, and there were times when the thread of religion-speak that ran through this book rubbed against me irritatingly. I did not let that influence my rating in the end because if you read a book written by a pastor you probably have to expect such things. I considered that to be part of the deal and therefore my rating is based on the other qualities of the book that resonated with the human connections we share

I loved reading these short pieces, stories of interactions between the author and the hikers she encountered at the hostel run by the church where she was a pastor. Having recently completed a section of the Camino Santiago in Spain and staying in hostels the whole 180 miles, I could appreciate the situations and the descriptions of the hostel itself, the group dynamics as well as the individual interactions, and the sense of adventure, wonder, loss, loneliness, desire, joy, denial, acceptance.... All of it experienced by the hikers passing through as described by the author. The fact that I grew up a 20 minute drive from this hostel also brings it home in a way that sparks reminiscences of drives through the Water Gap with my mom and grandfather. Memories I will always cherish.

[S.Matt Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sherry Blackman's Tales from the Trail is a compendium of first-hand stories about the hiker center at the Presbyterian Church of the Mountain and all the different types of souls that walk in the door. As a long-distance hiker, I found the tales compelling and revealing in a different sort of way than the usual trail book. Part of the Appalachian Trail, as any hiker will tell you, is all the different people you meet along the way, helping you out, sharing with you their stories and, if you're open to it, their love. As a trail angel herself, Blackman taps deeply into this aspect of the hiking life, giving her perspective on the many hiker interactions she's experienced over the years. These tales range all over, from officiating a hiker wedding ceremony on the trail to quiet hiker conversations in the hiker center. She reveals her life stories as well, her traumas, and how she connects with the people flowing through, some coming back years after their trail experience just to converse. These stories also tap into the emotional journey that hikers take and that trail angels like Blackman witness. She depicts moments of deep sadness, but hope, love, and faith all help her process these stories, both for herself and for the reader.

Blackman is an unsung hero on the trail. Her stewardship of thousands of hikers through her hiker hostel puts her in another category of trail angel. The trail experience is a blend of experiences and personalities, and Blackman's book puts you one step closer to being right there in the middle of it. Big recommend.

[Teri Farda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A compelling read! I could not put this book down. Sherry Blackman eloquently chronicles the stories and motivations of the AT hikers. It's rarely about just hiking.
Her journalist instincts expertly reveal the stories of the "Why". Fascinating, often heartbreaking, and humorous tales emerge. Blackman reveals the raw "human condition" motivating the hikers to embark on this grueling journey.
The hospitality and dedication of the Church family is both inspiring and heartwarming.
A simple meal, a hot shower and an ear to listen can be a salve for the broken.
Beautifully written, Tales from the Trail offers many lessons in compassion for others.
Having lived near the AT my entire life, I have a new understanding of the sacrifice and redemption that can result from immersing oneself in a journey of the heart.
Blackman's writing illustrates Nature's powerful force-sometimes cruel, more often healing.
I found this book to be captivating, and relevant to today's world. Highly recommend.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd prefer to rate 3.5 stars but rating up:

The concept of this book was really intriguing. I picked it up as a souvenir from the Delaware Water Gap without looking too much at it and found the content much different than I expected.

I was expecting perhaps a collection of stories from hikers, themselves. Instead, it was more of a memoir written by the author and her interpretation of people that traveled through the hiker hostel and how they relate to her belief system. I wonder how many of the hikers would feel like she had misgauged them.

Sherry Blackman has had a very interesting life as a journalist, but throughout her narrative she struggled to confront her own personal biases that could be a bit off putting at times.

Some of her insights are interesting, but I suppose I wasn't looking for a book that should be titled "Musings" by Sherry Blackman. Some of my favorite parts were journal excerpts or letters found at the hostel. I wish there were more first hand accounts from thru hikers.

None of this is to say the book isn't interesting or worth reading; if you are open, it is thought provoking and intriguing. I really did not know anything about the AT and I feel like the tales were a quick lesson in the grit that it takes to complete.

I think the broader, beautiful message of people coming together from all walks of life and shedding their burdens & fear to trust and learn from each other is one worth taking away. It is easy to live an encapsulated life and who among us is prepared to do what it takes to live deeply?

[Rev. Ed · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book for AT and NPS LOVERS

I love volunteering in the National Parks and I love the AT. This book tells the story of a little church's hospitality to AT hikers with no agenda except care and comfort. But much more so its about the hikers, their lives, pilgrimages, struggles and quests. My favorite story is about the birth of Dakota which I reread (appropriately) on Mother's Day. This is an AMAZING book!

[Wrinklesdonthurt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve always been intrigued by the concept of hiking the Appalachian Trail (I mean the ENTIRE trail). What an undertaking! I’ve never seriously considered doing it myself – I truly believe I don’t have what it takes, both physically and mentally, and this book confirms that it does take both. The writing is not particularly compelling, but some of the essays and the revelations within border on profound. All in all, it is a very interesting read.

[Jodes Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and easy to read. Nicely written, lovely descriptions and scene setting, short chapters, fun stories.

However, the book seems more focused on the author's interpretation of hikers' religious/spiritual journeys than actual tales from thru hikers. Talks more about the church where the hostel is located and the author's own religion/thoughts than stories from thru hikers.

Worth reading - I just expected a more journalistic approach than a creative interpretation.

(Was hard to read after I got about half way through because it was very religion-forward and I personally am not religious or spiritual in the way the author is.)

[C. Gonzales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aptly named. Full of stories that each have their own important lessons.

It's important to keep our minds open to our faith and always think deeper into our actions. I think that this book and the stories within help highlight that.

There were many quotable elements as well, this one will stick with you.

[Gina Stamper · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s honest and full of so many ups and downs. The adventures are fascinating and great to read about. It really pulled me in more than I was expecting. With underlying themes and plenty of spiritual and Christian undertones to open up your mind and faith.

[Tina]

Not for me

This may be a good book for others who are actual hikers. I have walked parts of the trail. In my younger years.

[Faye karns · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book. We have a chance to share in some of the struggles & successes of the brave, determined folks along the AT. Pastor Sherry compassionately encounters all hikers. She is an open book and she invites those in need to respond in kind. She reminds us that people come to the AT from many backgrounds and situations. We can all easily offer a smile and cheerful word when we encounter these sojourners, and send them off onto the next leg of their journey with our good thoughts. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

[Nico G · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are considering hiking the AT, this book will certainly convince you to do so!

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

SKS