I've been thinking about books on hiking.

And only one has come to mind right now.

I read this haunting story many years ago, but it is still vivid in my mind.

When I try  describing this book to friends and family, the first words that come out of my mouth are, "you will never look at or appreciate your feet more after having read this story based on the true life of Mary Ingles Wilder."

spoiler alert!!!

Mary Ingles, is living on the frontier during the French and Indian War.  Indians raid her settlement taking her sister-in-law, two sons, a gentleman, and herself captive.  They travel from West Virginia clear to a spot near present-day Cincinnati, Ohio.  On the way she gives birth to a little girl and earns the respect of one of the chiefs.  She also tries to memorize the trip in case she gets a chance to escape.

Once at the Indian settlement, she makes friends with a sturdy Dutch woman that has just run the gauntlet.  Mary is taken, with some others including the Dutch woman, to a salt lick to gather salt.  During the autumn days spent there she and the Dutch woman escape.  Regarded as lost, they are not followed.  Since she had paid attention on her trip into the wilds, Mary knew that she must follow the river.  With only a hatchet and two blankets, Gretel and Mary travel along the Ohio and New Rivers.  The book supplies a map of their trip.

Mary's one driving force is her love for Will, her husband.  She must get back to Will.  Gretel's goal is food, which leads to trouble for Mary.  Mary's persistence and single-mindedness and just plain guts get her through horrible conditions and depravation.  She and Gretel almost starve to death, but they do make it back--even through snow.

We think we know how to hike.

I Know I would not have survived this ordeal...no matter how much coral dust I've gathered between my toes!!

Follow the River is a 5 star read as far as Im concerned!!

Give it a try!!!