Human beings are known to push themselves to the physical limit – marathons, triathlons, Olympics, etc. There’s a special group of humans who opt to extensively hike through the great outdoors. More specifically, the entire Appalachian Trail. Comedian Sally Chaffin Brooks became one of those people in 2004. With her best friend Erin, 25-year-old Sally spent five months hiking 2,200 miles from Georgia to Maine. After five months of constant physical activity, unfavorable weather conditions, and some scary incidents, Sally and her fellow hikers accomplished their goal. And now 20 years later, she’s released a memoir detailing her experiences. Going to Maine: All the Ways to Fall on the Appalachian Trail is Sally’s personal account of the rollercoaster of emotions and motivation to keep one foot in front of the other, while making memories that last a lifetime.
Book
Sally’s journey began with her and Erin setting off around March, planning to finish by the end of the summer. They had also planned to be available for important events, such as Erin’s sister’s wedding. They planned everything from daily mileage, lodging (both along the trail and offsite), restocking food, and visits from nearby friends and family who briefly joined them on their hike. What they hadn’t planned for was the extreme generosity of strangers, finding lifelong friends in fellow hikers, and even for Sally to find love. Nor did they plan, on the other hand, for blisters, unpredictable emotions, and even a near death experience. But then again, one would expect a 2,200 mile hike across five states to be eventful, to say the least. And all of it is recorded in Going to Maine.
Review
Brooks showcases her talent for storytelling in Going to Maine. First, she includes dates and mileage left to the finish line at the beginning of each chapter. These details provided context for the reader, so that we can see just how much longer she and her group have yet to go. By the last third of the book, I became increasingly excited about them accomplishing their goal. Brooks’ writing style invites the reader to experience the journey along with her – the humor, the emotion, and sense of accomplishment at every mile. She proves that the hike was just as much a mental challenge as it was physical – maybe even more so. I encourage readers to check it out for themselves. I guarantee fellow hikers will enjoy this one.
Sally Chaffin Brooks joins the Cantina Book Club Podcast to talk about how she put her experience into words and advice she has for first-time AT hikers. Keep an ear out for the episode and pick up a copy of Going to Maine, available now.
