A Walk in the Woods

I know it's been a long time since my last post. Writer's block. Or a busy schedule, or low level of imagination.

Just finished a book by Bill Bryson, "A Walk in the Woods." The title is sure an understatement. Bryson and a buddy from Des Moines strike out on the Appalachian Trail, starting at the southern end and working north. Ill-prepared and ill-conditioned, their determination and sense of adventure carries them the first, oh, ten miles. The rest is a story of gritting one's teeth to get the job done. However, fabulous and funny experiences are had along the way.

Points to take from this reading - the wonder of nature and the age of the hills around us, the power of companionship when you realize that you need the other, the weird and unbalanced view Americans have of their own land. It is either completely altered for the sake of industry, or it's considered so holy that the only thing to do is let it become overgrown.

Bryson's a good writer. I believe he found purposefulness in the simple act of walking. Hmm. Makes me want to leave my car at home more often. One final note, the top of the front cover touts "runaway best seller." Shouldn't it say, "walk away best seller?"