Becoming Odyssa - Jennifer Pharr Davis [0]
ODYSSA
Epic Adventures on
the Appalachian Trail
JENNIFER PHARR DAVIS
Copyright © 2010 by Jennifer Pharr Davis
Illustrations Copyright © 2010 by James Pharr
First Edition
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Davis, Jennifer Pharr.
Becoming odyssa : epic adventures on the Appalachian Trail / Jennifer Pharr Davis.
p. cm.
ISBN 978-0-8253-0649-5 (alk. paper)
1. Hiking—Appalachian Trail. 2. Appalachian Trail—Description and travel. 3. Davis, Jennifer
Pharr—Travel—Appalachian Trail. I. Title.
GV199.42.A68D38 2010
796.510974—dc22
2010028097
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Beaufort Books
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Published in the United States by Beaufort Books
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Distributed by Midpoint Trade Books
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Interior design by Elyse Strongin, Neuwirth & Associates, Inc.
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Printed in the United States of America
CONTENTS
Preface by David Horton, Ph.D.
Introduction by Warren Doyle, Ph.D.
1. LOVE
Abol Campground, ME, to the top of Mount Katahdin, ME—3.87 miles
2. TRUTH
The Appalachian Trail Institute, Banner Elk, NC
3. INEPTITUDE
Unicoi Gap, GA, to Springer Mountain, GA—50.9 miles
4. ADVENTURE
Unicoi Gap, GA, to the Nantahala Outdoor Center, NC—84 miles
5. ADVERSITY
Nantahala Outdoor Center, NC, to Waterville School Road, NC—103.4 miles
6. HOME
Waterville School Road, NC, to Hot Springs, NC—33.4 miles
7. FRIENDS
Hot Springs, NC, to Cherry Gap Shelter, TN—84.5 miles
8. CONFIDENCE
Cherry Gap Shelter, TN, to Damascus, VA—104.9 miles
9. OPPRESSION
Damascus, VA, to a little past Pearisburg, VA—165 miles
10. DISCOMFORT
Outside Pearisburg, VA, to Troutville, VA—92 miles
11. INSPIRATION
Troutville, VA, to Rockfish Gap, VA—132.3 miles
12. GENEROSITY
Rockfish Gap, VA, to US 522 (Front Royal), VA—107 miles
13. DIVERSITY
US 522 (Front Royal), VA, to Pen Mar Park, MD/PA—95 miles
14. ABNORMALITY
Pen Mar Park, MD/PA, to Delaware Water Gap, NJ—260 miles
15. MORTALITY
Delaware Water Gap, PA, to Bear Mountain State Park, NY—107.9 miles
16. PERSEVERANCE
Bear Mountain State Park, NY, to Mount Greylock, MA—183.9 miles
17. OPTIMISM
Mount Greylock, MA, to Hanover, NH—160 miles
18. REGROUPING
Hanover, NH, to Pinkham Notch, NH—123 miles
19. TRIBULATION
Pinkham Notch, NH, to Monson, ME—199 miles
20. TRIUMPH
Monson, ME, to Mount Katahdin, ME—118 miles
21. HOMECOMING
Summer 2005 to Summer 2008—3 years
2008 Itinerary
Acknowledgments
Dedicated to…
The Glory of God,
My Love, my Husband, Brew Davis,
My Friend, my Father, Yorke Pharr.
PREFACE
Jennifer Pharr Davis is a modern day adventurer. Most folks in today’s society do not seek out things that will test them. Most seek out things that will entertain them. As you read Jennifer’s story, you can feel her pain and vicariously enjoy and relate to all that she goes through on her trip that shapes her into the special person she has become.
Even though I knew most of the events that happened during her trip, I could not put this book down. You will feel the same. I could not wait to see what challenge the Appalachian Trail presented to her next, and how she would deal with it. I believe that this is a book that everyone can relate to—not just hikers and runners, but anyone who has ever dreamed about doing something adventurous.
There has never been anyone so young who has accomplished what Jennifer has. She is one of the toughest, nicest, and friendliest people that I have ever known. She motivates me to seek new challenges. Reading this book will motivate you to seek challenges in your life.
I feel honored to call Jennifer a friend, and look forward to seeing what she will do in the future.