Drive of Nature: Three Girls Deal with The John Muir Path

Inspirational Read
Griffin, J. M. (2023). Force of nature: Three women tackle the John Muir Trail. Black Rose Writing.Joan Griffin loves exploring and lives in the Northern California foothills of the Sierra Nevada.Five legs, 27 days, 195.9 miles, this is a memoir of three 50+ women hiking the John Muir Trail located in the Sierra Nevada Mountain range. Each day receives its own chapter providing a vivid description of the trail, challenges, and beauty. Walking created an “unpredictable reality,” that was “bigger in every conceivable way than [her] imagination could have conjured.” As you read through the story, you are transported to the trail, so vivid her recollections and descriptions of their experiences. She wore a necklace with the words strength, courage, and spirit; a mantra that served her well along the journey. Griffin found: “I found my very soul had acclimated to the natural world, and I was completely in tune with the Earth and the sky and the water surrounding me.” Such an inspiring memoir!This would be a good read for 50+ women who need a good dose of inspiration, those who like travel memoirs, and those interested in long-haul walking.

An epic adventure, page after page!
Many women dream of making this hike (I once did) but few lace up their boots and get on the trail. And even a tiny fraction of those who DO realize their goal, could capture the experience like Joan Griffin. I read several chapters a night and always looked forward to getting back on the trail with her from my rocking chair.The grandeur of the sights, the wonder of seeing the world well above 8,000 feet ~ for 27 days ~ reads like a personal diary. Every perspective, high and low, is captured: the practical issues of carrying on even with a twisted ankle on Day 1, then blisters, surviving sudden weather changes, confronting inner doubts, securing essential food and water, and losing the camera enrich the book in an authentic style.In between all this, the reader remembers that it all took place with 40 pound backpacks on their backs!It’s a magical but real-life journey with the inevitable personality differences of the Three Women, as well as their uniquely personal reasons to hike. As the brave heroes arrive to the finish line, one is aware of the power of grace that accompanied them all along.Yes, this experience changed the hikers but it also changes the reader. Being aware of those who live curiously and courageously provides a kind of encouragement for us to do the same, even after age 50.

A very inspiring book
I’m older and much less active than The Three Women” but I do so love camping and being outdoors and nature in general. The descriptions of the rocks, cliffs, mountains. and flowers were so beautiful. Joan takes us along on their journey in such a way one can experience their quest as if we are with them. I swear at some points my feet hurt! I felt my aversion to very cold water that Cappy so enjoyed. I’m glad I found this book on kindle unlimited. I recommend this book.

Quite a n Adventure!
It was an amazing adventure for ladies in their 50’s! I would have loved having the pictures along with the descriptions.I admire them for sticking with the journey through pain and some adversity.

Having been to the Sierra and climbed whitney I had some idea of what the 3 women undertook. This book brought out the experience so vividly -the joy, wonder, and the pain and struggle- that I felt was doing it too. This book is a welcome change from many other recent walking and nature writing where the person’s mental and personal issues outside the walk dominate the writing. The author puts the reader firmly in the place and the experience.

Great book