One of my favorite books that I ever read had to do with climbing Mount Everest, and now I can add another book to my favorites’ list that also deals with overcoming the elements and pushing yourself to achieve a goal. This one is called I Promise Not To Suffer by Gail D. Storey, and she and her husband set out to challenge themselves by hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. I actually had never even heard of this trail before reading the book, and I did not realize the popularity in completing the 2,663 mile trek up the west coast from Mexico to Canada. From reading this book, I learned about how people set-off together in groups on this six month journey together signing in at a register at the beginning of the trail and signing at the completion. Obviously, not everyone completes it, as it is a tough journey both physically and mentally.
Gail D. Storey – Author of “I Promise Not To Suffer” Credit: Amazon.com
What I love most about this book is that it is not only a tale of Gail and her husband (Porter) who are navigating the trail, but it also shows the connection of navigating your way through life to find yourself, your relationships with others in your life, and your place in this world. Her last line of the book, “I never much cared for nature, but nature cares for us,” is such a profound statement and it truly sums up the book. Gail discusses her past, coming to grips with her father’s treatment of her family, her relationship with her mother, her lifestyle leading up to when she met her husband, and her focus on being in a marriage that truly works.
The book bounces back and forth from talking about her past and relationships with others, to actually enduring the harshness of hiking the trail and all the challenges that comes with being in the elements and hiking for such a long period of time. I found both parts equally interesting, as I loved learning about life on the trail and everything you do to get prepared for such a trip and how to keep your resources going. I’ve always wondered how people do it!
This book is touching, thoughtful, and the author writes in such a beautiful style. You can really hear her voice and connect with her! It is a nice decent read at just about 200 pages, so not too overwhelming. I really think it’s a great book to pick up for those interested not only about the topic of hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, but also those that love reading about life’s journey to find oneself and the pains one goes through to get there.
I am happy to announce to my readers that I am giving away a copy of this book along with a $10 Amazon GC! Very exciting I know!!! All you need to do is fill out the easy Rafflecopter below. You must be 18 and older to enter and US only. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook. Winner will be chosen on Wednesday, September 4 at 11:59pm. No mandatory entries! Do as little or as many as you like! The more you do the more chances to win! Good luck!
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own. a Rafflecopter giveaway
I would totally do it if I had the time. I love a good challenge.
Probably not. I’m not a real outdoorsy type person. I’d rather be inside reading a book lol or doing needlepoint.
I’ve never heard of it either! I think hiking parts of it would be fun, but I couldn’t take 6 months out of my life to do it. I have small children, one of which is in school. I think it’s more of an adventure for those who don’t have children or who have grown children. I’ll bet it’s a beautiful journey though!
I would like to hike that trail, but probably not the whole thing, lol.
Sure I would..
I would love to try anyway!!
depends if I could keep the bugs off of me..but yes, I would like to try
If my health was better, Id like to take hikes anywhere
would love to Win this book looks like a great read
I would love to do it with like-minded people.
Love to be outdoors! Love nature and the quietness.
no..too afraid…..thank you
I would like to try
We love hiking as a family so this would be adventure I would love to try!
I would give it a try. We love nature!
I love the outdoors and hiking, this would be a fun book to read.
Sounds like a great read. The inspiration reminds me of how I felt after reading Born to Run!
Probably not…I prefer reading, lol.
Love a good book review!
Sounds like a challenge maybe with some friends it would be fun.
No way, not my cup of tea
No, I need to get in better shape.
No, the only hiking that I do is trying to find a place to hide from my kids and grandkids so I can read. 😀
it sounds like something I might not instantaneously grab off a book shelf but would love if I just opened the book. great review!
totally would , me and my family we r outdoor people;-)
don’t know if I would have the energy lol but it would be something great to accomplish
I am originally from the Pacific Northwest and love the beauty! I would love the challenge as well!
Heck no! I read The Cactus Eaters a few years back and it definitely convinced me of what I already knew was true – there is no way I could do that. But, I loved reading about it and I have heard great things about this book as well. It is so far outside of anything I would do.
I would like to walk some of it but from what I understand, it’s a long long trail!! I imagine it’s beautiful.
I’d love to… but I don’t really have adequate survival skills and such.
I would love to try the trail. It sounds like a great way to get to know yourself and grow and reflect on your life as well as tackle the challenges ahead, both in life and on the trail.
I’n not much of a hiker. But I would hike some of it. The views seem amazing.
yes! we love the outdoors!
I’m not much of a hiker, but I would love the scenery!
Yes, always up for a challenge.
Yes, I think it would make for a great adventure.
Yes, I love to hike. I love how it brings me closer to God and I love all the things you get to see that you can’t possibly see from a car.
maybe..more than likely i would give it a try though…i like a challenge
I would love to atleast give it a try
I think it would be extremely taxing and hard to fully hike this trail or others like the one close to me, the Appalachian from beginning to end, –being outside for that long is just not for me, but short day trips can be very beautiful and rewarding. I love reading about others travels and journeys.
I’m not sure , I probably would
I would love to, but arthritis won’t let me
I am not sure if I would hike that trail or not. However, I have always wanted to hike the Appalachian trail, and maybe one day when I lose all this weight I will be able too.
Yes, I would. I’ve been with my husband a few times. The peace of mind you can get is nothing to compare to. You only live once. Take advantage of very opportunity you have to live it.
I just finished one about a young woman and her first complete walk up the Appalachian Trail. It was fascinating – I’m not a “through walker” but I’d love to do a bit here and there – just to say I did it. My friend who is going to walk a famous trail in Spain next year talks of this Pacific Coast trail. I’d love to read it.
It would be something to work towards and try!!! 🙂
I would love to, I think it would be great!!
I would love to try it.
In my younger days I would have loved to hike it, but as age creeps up on us so does arthritis. Just to have been able to view the scenery would be wonderful.
That’s too far for me!
I hadn’t heard of it either but, I think yeah. Very cool.
Maybe a small section, but probably not the whole thing.
I would love to hike a trail like that if I was physically able to! I think it would be wonderful to feel that connection with nature and to be able to think.
Thank you for this fabulous review of my book, Kristin! You totally got the many dimensions of I Promise Not to Suffer, from the adventure of hiking the Pacific Crest Trail to how my husband and I created a really happy marriage. I love reading the comments on your post, too. For those who wouldn’t hike the PCT themselves, don’t worry, I wrote the book so you could read about the adventure while kicking back with a cup of tea or a glass of champagne! ;-D
Thanks for the comment Gail!!! Your story is truly inspiring!
If I HAD to… i would manage…
I would love to do this hike – what an adventure & accomplishment this would be!
I’m not a hiker. There is a reason that we made shelter! 😀
I would love to go if they had upscale bathrooms all along the way!
I would love to try but it would be so scary!
I would love to but it would be so scary!
I love a good challenge! I would do it. It would be challenging and frightening at times, but i’d go for it.
Probably if I had an experinced hiker with me. I live in the PNW and hiked several small ones. Nature is beautiful!
Thank you for the opportunity!
i dont know if i would do it only because i have nevr done it before and you have to be in really good shape to do it
i would love to.i think it would be very pretty
no hiking for me! feels like labor 🙂 but I would like to read this book!! thanks
I would love love love to be able to have the ability to climb or hike for that matter. Due to a work related injury I can no long put the stress on my ankles that it would take to do something like this. I have however climbed many many mountains through my lifetime, My mountains didnt involve the walking , they were mental mountains but they were the hardest I have climbed and I am proud to say I DID IT!! as I got to the top!! Just happy to wake up every morning to enjoy this great world of ours.
I have hiked PLENTY in the past! I would LOVE to again;after I get my hips and back fixed! I know The State of NC like the back of my hand;and part of Tennessee and Georgia too:)!
that is the kind of thing i liked to do when I was in my 20’s but not right now, maybe when the kids are all moved out and I am on my own again I will do something like that again
This sounds like a good time! I love going on trails and spending time in nature! 🙂
No I would never want to hike it, I am not a huge fan of hiking!!
I am not built for hiking. I bet its beautiful weather
I would love to try!
I’ve hiked part of the Pacific Crest Trail but I don’t have the patience to hike the whole thing.
Would love to if I get in a good enough shape to hike
Not much of a hiker but I do like adventure
Depends on my mood of day lol
I like hiking, but I have never done such a rigorous trail. I don’t think knees would hold out for a hike that strenuous.
If I wasn’t disabled and had issues with uneven ground I would so do this..
Oh yes i would love to take that hike because the exercise alone would be great! Lots of reflection time too.
I would because I love nature.
sure if they had disc golf courses LOL I love to hike with my hubby while he plays around or two
probably not. I love looking at the scenery, outdoors, animals …. but not bugs or creepy crawly things that would be on a trail …
I have always wanted to hike the Appalachian Trail.
Yes, absolutely!! I have always planned to take my children on a hike like that when they are old enough.
I like to hike but I tend to hike the easy trails.
my fibro says NO WAY
if I were in better shape I might
I would try this, but it would have to be at the right time in life. I would imagine there is a lot of time to think and resolve some issues on a hike this long
Oh no not me! I’m not a hiker, lol
I love being outdoors so of course I would love it!
hope I win!!
Of course! I love a good hike! As long as I don’t have to climb over any logs. LOL last time I was on a hike I had to climb over a big log and scraped up my whole leg! ouch!
No. I’m just not an outdoorsy person.
I have never heard of that trail either and while it’s not feasible right now in my life with a daughter in kindergarten and a 2 year old big at home with me it does sound like fun. Maybe someday later in life my husband and I will be able to do this or something like it. Thanks for the giveaway
i would love to— great oppurtunity when ive lost some weight– and love to take pics
I don’t think I would do it since I’m not a hiker xD
I don’t know that I would be able to now, as I am disabled. But I know if would be an adventure. My father n law has hiked the whole Pacific Crest Trail and has told of his adventures.
I’d like to attempt a long hike (maybe not as log as described in the book), but I’d have to get in much better shape physically first. :0)
I would have in my younger days!
If I didn’t have health issues, I’d love to take a hike, but can’t do a lot anymore. Thank you for the giveaway
I’d have to hike it in my wheelchair, but sure…l would love to be able to do it…
no i don’t like to be hot, to sweat, or bugs lol
I would have done it when I was younger but my old bones wouldn’t let me do it now, ty for giveaway
I think it could be fun. 🙂
I’ve never considered it but would like to try!
Yes. I grew up near mountains.