With a combination of vivid sketches and engaging storytelling, this book describes the full range of experiences that epitomize long-distance hiking. Through rainy shelters, sweeping views, food, flowers, and towns along the way this book captures both the extraordinary and mundane aspects of the Appalachian Trail. More than just a travelogue, this intimate portrait of Carolyn Matthews-Daut's journey tells a story of self-discovery and perseverance through the physical and mental challenges of a five-month backpacking adventure.

Through it all, the author's artistic talents shine in her beautifully rendered sketches, which bring to life the stunning landscapes and unique characters that she encounters along the way. This is a must-read for anyone who loves hiking, the outdoors, and the transformative power of travel.

Carolyn Matthews-Daut is an accomplished interior designer who discovered her passion for watercolor painting while studying at the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point. Since then, she has taken her sketchbook and watercolor set with her everywhere she goes. Carolyn's love of travel and adventure has taken her around the world, from the rolling farmlands of Wisconsin to the rugged mountains of New Zealand, the picturesque islands of Bar Harbor, the bustling streets of London, and the majestic canyons of Utah. Today, she resides in Lebanon, New Hampshire with her husband and a beloved rescue puppy.