One for the Road: Ten Million Steps

by Kelly Amabile on

A new paperback edition of an epic personal journey was recently released by Menasha Ridge Press. Originally self-published in 2000 and since out of print, Ten Million Steps tells the story of hiking legend M. J. Eberhart. known on the trail as Nimblewill Nomad.

In January 1998, the retired physician from Florida began what would become a historic, 10-month, 4,400-mile journey, on foot, from the Florida Keys to Quebec. In his engaging and honest style, Eb (as he is known by off-trail friends) shares a vivid and detailed account of deep joy, physical pain and self-discovery along what is now known as the Eastern Continental Trail. He walked the entire length of the Appalachian trail and logged many miles (and steps!) on other trails and roads along the way. The story of his celebrated trek is sure to be a source of inspiration and enjoyment to fellow hikers, outdoor enthusiasts and armchair travelers too!

The World Tour Compatibility Test

by Kelly Amabile on

We all know that travel can often serve as a good test of a relationship. Here’s a couple that set out to see what would happen to them after taking to the road together. Over at Memoirville, a place where writers can test out their true-life stories, I came across the World Tour Compatibility Test, defined as, “Part travelogue and part convoluted love story…a series of true stories set in exotic locales, as two American writers decide whether to break up or move in together.”

After only two months of dating, Elizabeth Koch, Executive Editor of Opium Magazine and Todd Zuniga, her boyfriend and co-editor, planned a 5-week trip they dubbed “The Opium World Tour.” Their travels took them first to China, then Japan. There were additional destinations after that, but those chapters have not yet been revealed. (A clever way to hook you into wanting to buy the book when it comes out, huh?)

The writing is fresh, funny, heartbreaking…so you may just get hooked. But then you’ll be left hanging with the rest of us. Do they split the rent or split up? As Elizabeth explains, “The ending isn’t happy, but it’s not sad. It’s complicated. Realistic.” Elizabeth began sharing her work-in-progress memoir on December 1, 2006. The tenth and final installment of the story (so far) was posted on May 3, 2007. It’s easy to follow along on the Memoirville website.