Mark Your Calendar! Award-Winning Authors to Speak About Backpacking as a Couple at Local Outfitter.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Gaithersburg, Maryland, United States of America (Free-Press-Release.com) June 27, 2011 -- Since completing their six-month journey on the Appalachian Trail, this dynamic husband and wife team has been inspiring people with their informative and entertaining presentations at state and national parks, trail festivals, outfitters, professional and civic organizations, churches and scout troops.

In “The Joys of Backpacking as a Couple,” they recount what happens when a middle-aged couple, with no previous backpacking experience, decides to put both themselves and their fourteen-year marriage to the test by backpacking the 2,175-mile long Appalachian Trail, from Georgia to Maine, in one continuous hike. Would their motto of “Quitting is not an option” be a blessing or a curse? Would the trials of living in the wilderness bring them closer together or become a recipe for marital disaster?

Drawing on excerpts from their award-winning book, "Solemates - Lessons on Life, Love & Marriage from the Appalachian Trail," and using extensive multi-media, “Windtalker” and Mom” provide thought-provoking and often humorous insight into the unique challenges and rewards of hiking with a spouse. They also offer sensible tips on how to physically and relationally survive being together 24/7. From food choices, to safety, to staying healthy, to who would lead, and even how to divide up pack weight, they provide options for those anticipating such an adventure and describe which techniques worked for them.

Even if you have no intention of thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail, their entertaining insights can be applied to any relationship to make it stronger.

Randy and Georgia have also published a second book, “The Walk - Reflections on Life & Faith from the Appalachian Trail," which draws the many parallels between "trail life" and "real life" spirituality and describes how walking the trail mirrors a walk of faith.

Using a small sampling of the 5,300 photos taken during their 2006 odyssey, they also produced a 50-minute photo DVD, "Appalachian Trail Reflections." Set against a relaxing soundtrack of nature sounds and Native American flute music, this DVD of 150 photos, takes you on a wondrous journey from Georgia to Maine, through the changing seasons, and shows the varied and majestic terrain that makes up the A.T.

Autographed copies of all these items will be available at the presentation.

Visit the REI website, http://www.rei.com/stores/91 or call (301) 230-7670 to reserve your seat TODAY!

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