Shelly's Book Journal

Jeff Alt is on a mission. He decides to walk the Appalachian Trail as a fundraiser for the group home that his handicapped brother lives in. Alt has just gotten has Master's degree and has worked in marketing for a few years, so his experience makes for a very prepared AT hiker and charity fundraiser. Alt shares his journey in small pieces - showing detailed maps of his progress and giving his final destination for the end of each chapter. He's an early season hiker - and on a mission, so he misses much of the social interaction in the early trail stages. He is very positive on the majority of his trip - despite some woes along the way. His writing is very strait forward and to the point. His journey is not about him so much, so there's no emotional angst, just wonderful stories of the trail. His newly released third edition also gives tips on how to prepare to be a backpaper - and how to do it with your kids. Of course, I'm now an official AT groupie, wannabe, junkie of sorts. I loved this story, and the story behind the story. Truly motivational and inspirational!