Viv Ross’s Reviews > 2,000 Miles Together: The Story of the Largest Family to Hike the Appalachian Trail > Status Update
Viv Ross
is on page 89 of 468
Why are anonymous negative people always the loudest? All these people complained about Ben and Kami's choices but didn't take into account that for the most part the kids had a choice too. Calculated risk exists for a reason. Too many people always choose the safe option and come to regret it. This whole chapter reminded me of the movie "The Pagemaster". Oftentimes the safe choice hinders progress.
— Jan 30, 2025 11:40PM
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Viv’s Previous Updates
Viv Ross
is on page 406 of 468
I'm glad that they can can look back in everything with realistic gratitude. You don't have to love every minute of a memory, but it's healthy to understand that it had an effect on your current self and how.
— Jul 27, 2025 01:03PM
Viv Ross
is on page 387 of 468
What an accomplishment. At this point I've no witty remarks or analysis, just...admiration. For a family, let alone one as large as theirs, to accomplish such a feat is something I have a lot of respect for.
— Jul 27, 2025 01:02PM
Viv Ross
is on page 375 of 468
I had no idea that my own words from earlier would so closely mimic Ben's near the end of this tale of his family's journey. They truly had a once in a lifetime experience.
— Jul 27, 2025 01:02PM
Viv Ross
is on page 365 of 468
What is there to be said at this point. I think I've said it all. At this point, I find myself in awe and a little jealous of all that this family went through together at this point. I'm sure some wonder what there would be to be jealous of on the hard days, the bad parts. What they received from the trail was much greater in value than what was taken by it.
— Jul 27, 2025 01:02PM
Viv Ross
is on page 355 of 468
Again, I come back to the question of what rules and definitions we allow to shape our existence and what right mankind has to dictate what others can and can't do. Hiking your own hike should be more commonplace. It's the trail version of live and let live.
— Jul 27, 2025 01:01PM
Viv Ross
is on page 343 of 468
I have been fiercely independent for most of my adult life. It wasn't until a few years ago, faced with the prospect of being homeless with a child and my wife, that I learned how to accept help. I even learned how to ask for it without making other people feel like I was taking advantage of them. Accepting help takes a depth of strength that most people don't know exists.
— Jul 27, 2025 01:01PM
Viv Ross
is on page 325 of 468
I'm all for national and state parks and preserving nature, but there's a fine, fine line between preserving and gatekeeping. Who is man to say that others are not "allowed" to partake of all that mother Earth has to give? Who is man to think that we "own" the land?
— Jul 27, 2025 12:59PM
Viv Ross
is on page 311 of 468
Some choices are so much harder to make than others. Choosing to go out and hike in inclement weather through some of the toughest terrain in the entirety of the trail is certainly one of those harder choices. Some people would and did call it irresponsible. To me, it speaks a lot of the motivation, determination, and overall strength of character that this entire family has.
— Jul 27, 2025 12:59PM
Viv Ross
is on page 299 of 468
It's wonderful how supportive we humans have the capacity to be to each other. The world would be a better place if more of us exercised that capacity. The thing is that it has to come from a place of selflessness that most of us don't really know how to tap into. When humans actively make a choice to do these things out of the goodness of our own hearts, there is nothing else like it in existence.
— Jul 27, 2025 12:58PM
Viv Ross
is on page 289 of 468
Sometimes I don't know what is more intimidating, not knowing what's going to happen to next or knowing exactly what's going to happen next but not how you're going to come out on the other end of it. Nothing about life is certain. Nothing is promised or guaranteed, and ultimately it's entirely unpredictable. It makes sense that this would be even more true in trail life.
— Jul 27, 2025 12:57PM
