Suddenly finding themselves completely free of responsibilities, jobless, and with a little spare cash in the bank, it didn't take long before their serious search for a new life took some unexpected twists and turns."What do you think we should do when we return to the States?" Erin asked Carl, as they sat outside a tiny cafe sipping coffee. It was a question that had been plaguing her for weeks as they budget travelled across South East Asia in an attempt to avoid winter (and reality)."I've been thinking about it, and I think we should thru-hike the Pacific Crest Trail." Was Carl's totally unexpected reply.Spend months on end traipsing through the wilderness, petting bunnies and chasing rainbows, as they hiked 2,660 miles from Mexico to Canada? How could Erin possibly say no? Life Rule #1: Never, ever, turn down an adventure.Friends wagered they wouldn't last a week, but before they knew it, days turned into months as they made their way across America at three miles an hour. As Carl and Erin morphed into Bearclaw and Hummingbird, they found that being hikertrash suited them.Though they will both admit the trail was life altering, there were no great epiphanies, no magic answers to all of life's burning questions, no "ah-ha!" moments when suddenly life made sense. This is not a tale of personal growth.Through blisters and shin splints, jaw-dropping landscapes and craptastically unspectacular forests, searing heat and pouring rain, complete hilarity and utter exhaustion, this is the story of what day-to-day life is really like on one of America's greatest trails.As told through Hummingbird's journal entries, this is the story of life on the trail - the people you meet, the things you see, and how, mile by mile, you eventually become Hikertrash.Includes: 6 Overview Maps to Follow our Journey 19 Black & White Photos of Sights Along the Trail Leave No Trace Tips Our Gear Lists Our Trail RecipesWhat Is Hikertrash?Hikertrash: a long distance hiker, shabby and homeless in appearance, rarely bathed and rank in odor, more at home outdoors than in society, with a deep reverence and respect for all things wild."

    The books he later wrote about this walk, A Time of Gifts (1977), Between the Woods and the Water (1986) and the posthumous The Broken Road (2013), are a half-remembered, half-reimagined journey through cultures now extinct, landscapes irrevocably altered by the traumas of the twentieth century. The brilliant bubble of his writing captures a prelapsarian world of moccasin-shod peasants and castle-dwelling aristocrats, preserved in perfect clarity. But war, political terror and brutal social change lay on the horizon. That bubble was about to burst, and the raw light of the modern world soon to come flooding in. On 9th December 2011, Nick Hunt caught the ferry to the Hook of Holland to follow in his footsteps. Using Fermor's books as his only travel guide he spent seven months walking his route through Holland, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey, to discover for himself what remained of hospitality, kindness to strangers, freedom, wildness, adventure, the mysterious, the unknown, the deeper currents of myth and story that still flow beneath Europe's surface. I'd been walking for two hundred and twenty days. With the twists and turns the road had taken it was impossible to say how far; two and a half thousand miles was my rough guess. I'd passed through eight countries and three seasons, followed two major rivers and dozens of minor ones, and crossed three mountain ranges, one of them twice. I'd picked up fragments of seven languages, and met more people than I could remember. I'd walked through three books: two real, one imagined. I'd worn one pair of boots.

    Suddenly he says, 'You should do the Wayfarer's Walk. We always talked about it, do you remember?'So I start thinking about it seriously. It is 71 miles in total. It will be a great family adventure. Won't it?In Clare Balding's family, walking just took too long - she galloped through the countryside and she galloped through life. There was certainly no time to get to know Britain beyond its racecourses.Then, in 1999, Clare took a call out of the blue from a BBC producer looking for a presenter for a new radio series. 'Do you walk?' she asked. 'Well, I walk the dog . . .'That series, Ramblings, is still going strong - and Clare's caught the walking bug. Since then she's covered fifteen hundred miles of footpaths, from the Pennine Way to the South West Coastal Path. She's tackled apocalyptic thunderstorms, struggled with blisters and a twisted ankle, and seduced fans of 'erotic radio' by getting changed in a bus stop. She's walked with historians, geologists, twitchers, botanists and poets, who've told her things they never thought they would reveal.Now she wants her family to share some of that pleasure. Her and her brother Andrew are determined to conquer the Wayfarer's Walk, a route which runs past their family stables Kingsclere. What could possibly go wrong?This is a story of paths and people, of discovering the glories of Britain and Ireland, and of (mis)adventures with the family. Along the way there are charming diversions and life-changing rambles, including her take on the 2012 Olympics. And, finally, this is Clare's story of Walking Home . . .Clare Balding's first book, My Animals and Other Family, was a runaway number one bestseller and won Autobiography of the Year at the 2012 Specsavers National Book Awards. Clare broadcasts on TV and radio for the BBC, Channel 4 and BT Sport. In 2013 she received an OBE for services to broadcasting and journalism. She lives in West London with her partner Alice, their wayward Tibetan Terrier Archie and a cat who couldn't give a damn called Itty.Praise for My Animals and Other Family:'You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll want a horse' Caitlin Moran'Moving, funny, and larger than life' Michael Morpurgo'Simply fabulous' Jilly Cooper'Stonking anecdotes ... sharply charming' Guardian'Magical, enchanting, riotously eccentric' Daily Mail

    It led him to begin exploring these questions, prompting a journey westwards to Land's End through one of the most fascinating regions of Europe.From the Neolithic ritual landscape of Bodmin Moor to the Arthurian traditions of Tintagel, from the mysterious china-clay country to the granite tors and tombs of the far south-west, Marsden assembles a chronology of our shifting attitudes to place. In archives, he uncovers the life and work of other 'topophiles' before him - medieval chroniclers and Tudor topographers, eighteenth-century eighteenth-century antiquarians, post-industrial poets and abstract painters. Drawing also on his own travels overseas, Marsden reveals that the shape of the land lies not just at the heart of our history but of man's perennial struggle to belong on this earth.

    In Born to Walk, author James Earls explores the mystery of our evolution by describing in depth the mechanisms that allow us to be efficient in bipedal gait. Viewing the whole body as an interconnected unit, Earls explains how we can regain a flowing efficiency within our gait--an efficiency which, he argues, is part of our natural design.This book is designed for movement therapy practitioners, physiotherapists, osteopaths, chiropractors, massage therapists, and any bodyworker wishing to help clients by incorporating an understanding of gait and its mechanics. It will also appeal to anyone with an interest in evolution and movement.Drawing on recent research from paleoanthropology, sports science, and anatomy, Earls proposes a complete model of how the whole body cooperates in this three dimensional action. His work is based on Thomas Myers's Anatomy Trains model of human anatomy, a holistic view of the human body that emphasizes fascial and myofascial connections.Earls distills the complex action of walking into a simple sequence of "essential events" or actions that are necessary to engage the myofascia and utilize its full potential in the form of elastic energy. He explains the "stretch-shortening cycle"--the mechanism that is the basis for many normal human activities--and discusses how humans take advantage of isometric contractions, viscoelastic response, and elastic recoil to minimize calorie usage. This streamlined efficiency is what enabled our first ancestors to begin to migrate not only seasonally but also permanently to new lands, thereby expanding the natural resources available to us as a species.

    He was accompanied by Betsy Huntington, who was twenty years his senior; the couple had been inseparable from the day they met. After stumbling upon a vintage home along the highway, they settled into a country life; it was the perfect way for the two of them to make their lives together in an out-of-the-way place.It’s through Bodio that Betsy’s story is painted in such memorable passages that soon captivate readers. Together they made their home among the mountains of New Mexico, returning to a simple life of hunting, falconry, and becoming acquainted with the local reptiles and insects of the desert. A lover of nature, Bodio here explains in vivid detail his time spent in the wilderness. He found himself the center of his neighbors’ attention when they discovered his endless fascination with the local fauna, from snakes and birds to coursing dogs. He became accustomed to Magdalena through the people and wildlife, even joining in the biggest festival on the calendar: the Quemado Rodeo, better known by locals as the Street Dance and Brawl.From the Spanish term meaning “the heart’s true home,” Querencia captivates and settles the heart. It is an astonishing read for those looking for an escape from the hustle of the big city, or just seeking to find solitude in the country life.

    Choose Your Way... "Stephen R. Marriott takes us on a journey through the eyes of Diego, a young guitarist, as he struggles to find his path in life. It's a touching tale which will not only have you reaching for the next in the series, but maybe your backpack as well." - Richard Paul Evans, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Diego is drifting. He has been content with living his life in a sun-scorched village that lies on the route of the pilgrim path: The Camino de Santiago. But one stormy night, change is forced upon Diego when his father, Eduardo, the local candyfloss maker, unexpectedly catches him entertaining a captivated crowd with flamenco guitar rhythms. At that moment, Eduardo lets go of the ghosts from his past and realises it's time for Diego to find his path in life. Eduardo arranges for Diego to live and work on a farm and sends him on his way with the gift of his old Spanish guitar. Will Diego commit to working on the farm, or will he confront his destiny on the road where a million pilgrims have passed before him? - - - - WARNING (By Candyfloss Guitar Readers) - - - - - "Very inspirational!" "I could NOT PUT IT DOWN!!" "Loved it" "great characters" "A great read!" "This story sucks you right in." "Very well crafted, and executed." "I would recommend this story to everyone." "A very enjoyable read." "Excellent storytelling..." "I am looking forward to hearing more" "Fascinating story!" "swept away in this story about self-discovery" "I wanted more, much more." "Thought provoking!" "a fantastic story about self-discovery." "I absolutely loved it." "I definitely recommend reading this." "Filled with lushly descriptive language" "Surprised me with both its subject and quality." The people Diego encounters on the way and the faith they share will take him on a much longer journey, one that once would have seemed unimaginable. Candyfloss Guitar is the first book in the Reluctant Pilgrim series about one man's journey of self-discovery and the hope he will eventually bring to others. A journey both physical and spiritual, guided at times by the unlikeliest of angels!

    Of all his adventures, those he enjoyed on America’s Pacific Crest Trail in the Eighties are among his favourites. The PCT runs 2,600 miles from Mexico to Canada through desert, forest and mountain wildernesses. In Rattlesnakes and Bald Eagles Chris recounts not only his own six month w alk but also the longer story of the Trail, and shares his ideas on how it is developing and where it is all going with his many readers. Illustrated with Chris Townsend’s photographs from his long hike, and earlier, iconic images, Rattlesnakes and Bald Eagles will be the definitive Pacific Crest Trail account

    Near his small apartment in Quebec City is a park, a real little urban oasis located by a high school. The monk takes a contemplative stroll there everyday; all is light and harmony, until... "This was one of the most significant encounters of my life. An encounter that was a little like the first time I met my spiritual teachers. But it was also very different: it was more brutal and violent than anything I had ever experienced." THE WALKER: A TALE OF MINDFULNESS, LOSS AND RESILIENCE combines humor and drama, poetry and reflections on happiness, interdependence, nature, acceptance and memories.... It is sure to delight contemporary readers, from the most busy, skeptical ones to the more contemplative. A bowl of fresh air!* Please note that THE WALKER can also be found in Vincent Thibault's anthology "Purity: Japanese Short Stories", available in both Kindle and paperback editions.ABOUT THE AUTHOR Vincent Thibault, a talented and prolific writer from Quebec, Canada, follows his own unique path. He has been publishing ten books in French, including both fiction and nonfiction. With translations by Lisa Hannaford-Wong, English readers can now enjoy his short stories. 2013 has also seen the English release of "Parkour", his essay on sports and the spirit of chivalry. WHAT CRITICS SAY "Absolutely charming. Wonderfully written." — Paul Ouellet, Première heure (SRC) "Purity [the anthology from which "The Walker" has been taken] is the kind of book we devour in a few hours, and that reminds us how pleasant and profitable reading can be!" — Christian Boisvert, Culturellement vôtre "[...] Thibault's style is unique in the Quebec literary scene. Worth discovering. ****" — Eric Paquin, Le Voir magazine "[...] This writer has a talent for throwing the reader off course and surprising us with each one of his publications. [...] this book by Vincent Thibault is another step forward in a writing career that strays from the beaten path [...] His writing shows a great deal of skill and talent. An original writer who is always looking for different ways to show us the meaning of life. Writing is also able to serve this purpose." — Yvon Paré, writer and critic, Progrès-Dimanche "[...] it's difficult not to think of Haruki Murakami. [...] perfect mastery of form, stories that brim with compassion and empathy." — Christian Desmeules, Le Devoir "[...] a pen that continues to grow in power and finesse [...]" — Editors' picks, Le libraire

    When Alan Rowan finished his shifts as a sub-editor at a national newspaper at midnight, he knew he was too jacked up on deadline adrenaline to attempt sleep. At the same time, he was starting to worry if he would ever complete his ambition to reach the summit of every Munro in Scotland those peaks of over 3000ft. One crazy night, he decided upon a single solution to both problems. He would begin his ascents in the middle of the night, see the sun rise above the clouds and then come down the mountain just as everyone else was going up. We see Alan's transformation from desk jockey to midnight mountaineer, meet dodgy car salesmen, rabid sheepdogs, charging deer, superstitious Germans and crooked confectioners - all the while seeing the best of Scotland in a unique light. Moonwalker is funny and touching; at once a deeply personal memoir and a riotous travelogue.

    Mighty Ontake is like that. The mountain's inexhaustible treasury of riches is like some endless storybook with its pages uncut. As one follows the rambling plot along, one is always looking forward to reading more. Every page yields things never found in other books. Ontake is that kind of mountain."One Hundred Mountains is that kind of book. "Nowhere in the world do people hold mountains in so much regard as in Japan," observed the author, Kyūya Fukada, in the afterword to his most famous work. "Mountains have played a part in Japanese history since the country's beginnings, and they manifest themselves in every form of art. For mountains have always formed the bedrock of the Japanese soul."In One Hundred Mountains, Fukada pays tribute to his favorite summits. Published in 1964, the book became an instant classic. Consisting of one hundred short essays, each celebrating one notable mountain and its place in Japan's traditions, the book is an elegantly written eulogy to the landscape, literature, and history that define a people. More recently, Japan's national broadcasting company has turned it into a memorable TV series.Fukada himself was bemused by his book's success: "In the end, the one hundred mountains represent my personal choice and I make no claims for them beyond that." Yet, half a century after he set down those words, his mountains have become a cultural institution. Marked on every hiking map and enshrined in scores of spin-off books, his One Hundred Mountains are today firmly embedded in the mountain traditions they grew out of.Now available in English for the first time, One Hundred Mountains of Japan will serve as a vade mecum to the Japanese mountains for a new cohort of hikers and mountaineers. It will also open up novel territories for students of Japan's literature, folklore, religions, and mountaineering history--in short, for mountain-lovers everywhere.

    Many are along the Edge (the most prominent part of England's largest continuous geological feature) and take in splendid sights, from the wildflower-dotted Cleeve Common grasslands to the dramatic Uley Bury hill fort. The gentle hills and honey-hued villages give the Cotswolds a quintessential Olde England feel, while the stout hills and secret valleys described in this guide give plenty of satisfying remoteness and authentic wilderness. The Cotswolds hill chain is sometimes dismissed by veteran walkers, but there are testing gradients here, and the views from the tops are wide-ranging. If you want to visit spectacular locations without too much strenuousness, it's easily done with this guide. If you want a thigh-burning hilly workout, that's easily done too. Set the clichés to one side. This is hill country.

    Add to the mix a fantastic diversity of flora and fauna, interesting geology, fascinating history and some of the most striking views in the country and you have one of England's best regions to explore on foot. In these 40 walks all between two and eight miles in length Keith Fergus leads you through some of the best rambles Cornwall has to offer. Although the terrain followed varies, and can be hilly, most of the walks are on well-established paths making navigation straightforward and suitable for families.

    Created in a handy, take-along format, this guide is written by a seasoned travel writer to help conjure the spirit of the place in elegant text enhanced by National Geographic's famous eye for good pictures. More than just a guidebook, Walking Barcelona is full of information about the city and its people. The guide is divided into the following sections:The Whirlwind Tours section shows you how to see the entire city in a day or a weekend; what sites will interest kids most; plus, a hedonist's tour that's pure pleasure from dawn to midnight and beyond. The Neighborhoods section of the book presents the city broken down into eight itineraries that lead you on a step-by-step tour to the best sites in each of the city's greatest neighborhoods--from Ciutat Vella and Barceloneta to Barri Gotic and the Rambla to the Eixample and Uptown and beyond. Each itinerary includes such special features as "Distinctly Barcelona...," highlighting quintessential aspects of the city (coffee & cava, the Catalan culture, and soccer); "Best Of," providing specific thematic groupings of sights, such as city views, sporty Barcelona, and Barcelona-style nightlife; and "in-depth" spreads that take a deep dive into a major museum or other iconic sight along the route.Travel Essentials provides information on how to get to the city and how to get around once you're there, as well as hand-picked hotels and restaurants.Walking Barcelona is part of an exciting pocket-guide series from National Geographic that showcases the world's great cities. Travelers will find top-notch, streamlined, and useful local knowledge that goes beyond the Internet basics to ensure a rewarding, authentic, and memorable urban experience.

    Previously published as the first volume of The Encyclopedia of Global Human Migration, this work is devoted exclusively to prehistoric migration, covering all periods and places from the first hominin migrations out of Africa through the end of prehistory.Presents interdisciplinary coverage of this topic, including scholarship from the fields of archaeology, anthropology, genetics, biology, linguistics, and more Includes contributions from a diverse international team of authors, representing 17 countries and a variety of disciplines Divided into two sections, covering the Pleistocene and Holocene; each section examines human migration through chapters that focus on different regional and disciplinary lenses

    Organised into clear sections to help you to find exactly what you are looking for quickly, the guide is packed with tips, case studies, research, exercise plans and equipment advice, it is the complete manual for Nordic walkers of all levels.The book is endorsed by Nordic Walking UK and has contributions from worldwide experts including Martin Christie (who brought Nordic walking to the UK) Tom Rutlin, Jose Manual Fernandez Molina and Fabio Moretti.