Download PDF Blissters How I walked from Mexico to Canada One Summer Audible Audio Edition Gail M Francis Wendy Tremont King Tantor Audio Books
Download As PDF : Blissters How I walked from Mexico to Canada One Summer Audible Audio Edition Gail M Francis Wendy Tremont King Tantor Audio Books
Just before her 40th birthday, Gail Francis quit her perfectly good job and set out to hike one of the great trails of the world. Carrying everything she needed on her back, Francis spent five months walking from Mexico to Canada along the Pacific Crest Trail. Along the way, she lost her pack scrambling over scree in the desert, struggled to navigate high mountain passes, and wore the soles off her boots trekking across lava fields - all within some of the most pristine wilderness in the nation. Though she set out alone, her story includes an eclectic cast of characters. From the man walking the entire 2,700 miles in a series of 26 wedding dresses, to the woman making the journey in the company of her pet mouse, Francis learned to count on her fellow hikers for entertainment as well as a few important life lessons.
Download PDF Blissters How I walked from Mexico to Canada One Summer Audible Audio Edition Gail M Francis Wendy Tremont King Tantor Audio Books
"Well balanced, realistic read that was about the rigors and joys of long-distance hiking. The author brought us along on the trail, introduced us to the PCT without getting too technical. We get a glimpse of the difficulties, along with the people who hike this amazing trail. Some travelogues are more about an authors emotional turmoil that they carry and work through while hiking. This book is a reflection of hiking for the love of the hike. It is rare to step into a travelogue and not feel like an intruder. The reader is welcomed along as a friend. There is no bad language or graphic scenes. Highly recommend. Pack light and travel far."
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Blissters How I walked from Mexico to Canada One Summer Audible Audio Edition Gail M Francis Wendy Tremont King Tantor Audio Books Reviews :
Blissters How I walked from Mexico to Canada One Summer Audible Audio Edition Gail M Francis Wendy Tremont King Tantor Audio Books Reviews
- To start my review, I must disclose that I am a brother of the author (my wife and I share this account). The Gail presented in the book is pretty much the Gail I know fun, clever, stubborn, tough, (a bit) naive, friendly, (a bit) snarky, kind, goofy, and a darn good writer. The book is a fun tale of her experiences, her thoughts during the experiences, and a glimpse into the life of a really interesting person.
One disagreement I have with the author is her characterization of herself as a weak hiker. As the book mentions, after completing the PCT, Gail and Knut hiked in the Swiss/Italian Alps. I joined them for a multi-day hike on the Tour des Muverans in Switzerland. I'm not a super strong hiker, but I have climbed several mountains with friends and family, and I am typically not the weakest person in the group. Gail was substantially stronger than me on the mountain (and the grin on her face when hiking through Alpine meadows made me think she appreciated the experience more than me too). Gail's self assessment in the book might be because Knut was a stronger hiker than Gail by about the amount Gail was stronger than me. The casual reader of the book might think that if a weak hiker like Gail can do the PCT then anyone can. I disagree; what is described in the book is a demonstration of strength and toughness. Still, the book is fun to read whether you plan to hike the PCT yourself or just want to experience it through the eyes of someone else. - If you're looking for a book about how an arduous journey in the wilderness can help heal great psychic pain, then you can't do better than Cheryl Strayed's "Wild." But if you're looking to vicariously share a wonderful, though still arduous, journey in the wilderness with a remarkable and funny woman, you should definitely read "Bliss(ters)".
Francis is a natural storyteller, with a wry sense of humor and a clear-eyed appreciation for the world around her and the people in it. If you need an antidote to cynicism, this is it. Time and again, Francis' incredibly difficult trek through miles of beauty and physical hardship was made just a bit easier by the kindness of "trail angels" that are apparently a part of the culture of the Pacific Crest Trail. Whether you're a fellow traveler or a confirmed couch potato who just wants to find out what makes these crazy long-distance backpackers tick, you'll enjoy this adventure with her. And you won't have to carry a pack or brave cold rain to do it! - I read a lot of hiking books. This was one of the best, I thought. Especially well-written with the use of picturesque descriptive language and colorful personal observations. I had a better sense of the terrain & scenery of the PCT, as well as the usual cast of characters one meets along the way. The author had her own special challenge in that she suffers from prosopagnosia - the inability to recognize faces, and therefore she had to rely upon voices, gaits, physical attributes and clothing. When she began the hike, she wasn't goal-focused on making it all the way, but somehow she did. And, I found myself sad when I realized she was nearing the Canadian border and, therefore, the end of the book.
- I can not rave enough about all the levels on which Gail Frnacis touched me with this outrageously funny, heartfelt, personal-connection, instructional (who knew serious hikers had so many hot tips!) and just all-round great read!!!
This was a book that made me laugh out loud, exhale serious sighs, cry "oh no!" and make other assorted noises out loud in public. Means I told several others they'd better buy and read this book!
The author really nailed introducing us all to another culture, picturing natural beauty, leaning into slow and fast paced movement, hunkered shoulders, RAW FEET...this hike is now a shared adventure and accomplishment that will be recurring inspiration.
I laughed out loud, cringed, cried a little with this GREAT READ!
The author's people observations and life lessons in the book are so clear and touchable -- making it possible to both appreciate who she is (evidently ever evolving) as well as being able to utilize it all or hope to store some away for future applications.
Wherever you are I hope your feet are comfy and warm, Gail Francis! I certainly appreciate mine more now.
I can't help but relate to your book as multi-layered lessons applicable on and off the trail.
I now have several new locations to check out for natural beauty in the West Coast states!
You and your book are both real gifts!
Perfect timing for the holidays and giving to people who love the outdoors or love to read about it all. - I've tried to hike PCT twice ... 400 miles was max. The "samples" for PCT books usually cover this part, so I know an accurate account. When it's also interestingly written, I buy the book. I bought this book. I'm glad I did. She does a good job of conveying the early thoughts to go home verses the compulsion to go on. Read this carefully & you known what you would be thinking very near that same place on the map.
- Well balanced, realistic read that was about the rigors and joys of long-distance hiking. The author brought us along on the trail, introduced us to the PCT without getting too technical. We get a glimpse of the difficulties, along with the people who hike this amazing trail. Some travelogues are more about an authors emotional turmoil that they carry and work through while hiking. This book is a reflection of hiking for the love of the hike. It is rare to step into a travelogue and not feel like an intruder. The reader is welcomed along as a friend. There is no bad language or graphic scenes. Highly recommend. Pack light and travel far.
