So What’s with the Book?

c) Andrew Carter, 2025

It’s been over a year since I talked about finishing the first draft of my book, “Two Trails.” Perhaps you’re wondering, “Is it completed? Can I get a copy?”

No, it’s not completed. It needs major editing, and life got in the way. During the past 15 months, my wife and I moved … twice. In addition to the physical moves we completed ourselves (go U-Haul), we took furniture and other items across country to my stepdaughters in South Carolina and Minnesota. We also completed extensive repair work on the house we had lived in (my wife for 30 years, me for 10) to prepare it for sale, extensive work on the house we had just bought, and extensive work on the rental property my wife owned which we lived in temporarily to prepare it for sale.

Finally, finally, I’m about to get back to the book. As I wrote above, it needs major editing. This sentiment based on my own thinking and that of everyone (mostly family) who read the first draft.

In its current form, the book is schizophrenic, alternating between travelogue and fact-based commentary on the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, and hiking then vs. now. I’m searching for an outline which makes sense. Also, a single editorial voice to use. The fact-based parts of the current draft use a business-like expository writing style. The travelogue parts, a personal narrative style. Like I said, schizophrenic.

So, time to get back at it. I’ll keep you posted.

In case you’re wondering if I’m still out there hiking. Yes, I am. In addition to hiking the 2650-mile Pacific Crest Trail since I retired in April 2001, I’ve hiked the 290-mile Benton MacKaye Trail (Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennesse), the 250-mile Tuscarora Trail (Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania), the 270-mile Ozark Highlands Trail (Arkansas), and the 225-mile Ouachita Trail (also Arkansas). And in 10 days, I plan to start hiking the 270-mile Long Trail (Vermont).

See you out there.