God Bless This Strip of Dirt: A Catholic's Spiritual Journey on the Appalachian Trail

by Kathleen Owens Stephens

When inexperienced hiker Kathleen Stephens decided to hike the 2,180 mile long Appalachian Trail she thought she knew what she was getting into. Arming herself with a year of research, a couple of weekend practice hikes, and a new backpack full of gear, she confidently started her hike on April 1st, 2013. She believed that common sense and strong faith in God would enable her to handle anything the trail could throw at her. With a sense of humor she embraced the trail culture and community, so different from the world she knew as a conservative, southern 54 year old Catholic. She saw the beauty and brilliance of God the Creator in the spectacular views from the trail and in the diversity of the people she met along the way. Early on, what she knew about herself as a Christian was challenged, and eventually a series of painful events left both Kathleen and her faith shaken to the core. How God was able to bring beauty from ashes and restore her faith is the story of His love for His creation.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1549658581
• ISBN13: 9781549658587
• Release Date: September 2017
• Publisher: Independently published
• Length: 436 Pages
• Weight: 1.62 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 1.1" x 6.0"