A Walk in the Woods, Entry 1

For my nonfiction book, I have decided to read A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson. It is a memoir about Bryson’s attempt to walk the Appalachian Trail in its entirety with a friend whom he

hasn’t seen in many years. However, this friend is not exactly the most athletic person (he’s not quite a skinny fellow, for one thing) and Bryson himself is not really in the ideal physical shape for such a strenuous journey either. Although I am only about one third of the way through the book, I have read some online synopses, and supposedly, the two friends do not complete their hike on the trail. I really hope that is not true, because I feel that they have worked so hard already, and I do not want them to quit! Also, they have invested so much time and money into the trip, buying brand-new expensive hiking gear, etc. It would be such a shame to waste all that. And, they would have to feel defeated and feel regret for the rest of their lives, not to mention, if they wanted to try again some day in the future, they would have to restart at the beginning, where they have already walked about the first hundred or so miles. 

I chose to read this book because I myself have some experience hiking the Appalachian Trail, though not nearly as extensively as Bryson and his friend. One summer, I hiked for about five days, averaging about 5-9 miles a day, with the backpack and sleeping in the shelters and all, and I go back for 9 mile day trips during other summers.

My picture of the Appalachian Trail sign from Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

It really enhances my reading of this book by having actually experienced a vaguely similar experience in the same place. For example, Bryson talks about how heavy the packs were, and I sympathize with him. Additionally, he mentions the serenity of the woods (although the woods were not exactly quiet and peaceful when we were coming through because we did a lot of talking and singing) and the structure of the shelters, and the rewarding, expansive views at the tops of big hills. This book has inspired me to go back and hike the full trail one day (maybe), and so far, I am really enjoying reading about what it is like. I can’t wait to keep reading (and although this sounds a little mean and morbid, I’m kind of hoping that the two friends will encounter a bear. It is not that unlikely, considering Bryson repeatedly comments on how scared he is of finding one (there is constant foreshadowing). Also, I know that even if he does encounter a bear, he will survive, because he is the author of his own book so he can’t be dead, so really, how bad could the bear encounter be anyway?)