Move over Dora—there's a new explorer in town. Discontent with his boring home life, mild-mannered Bill Bryson abruptly decides to hike the entirety of the Appalachian Trail, a walking path that stretches 2,100 miles along the east coast of the United States. That's a lot of miles, folks.
Although Bryson isn't quite as adventurous as the pioneers who first explored this Appalachian wilderness (don't worry; we'll learn about them too), he ends up doing his fair share of trail blazing by the end of A Walk in the Woods.
Questions About Exploration
- Do you consider Bryson to be a true explorer? Explain.
- How has America changed since the early days of explorers?
- Is it still possible to be an explorer in modern times? Why or why not?
- Why does Bryson decide to hike the AT in the first place?