In 2018, Kathy Elkind and her husband decided to take a grown-up "gap year" in Europe and walk the 1,400-mile Grande Randonne Cinq (GR5) across The Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and France.
At fifty-seven, Kathy has chosen comfort over hardship: Unlike the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Coast Trail, the GR5 winds from village to village instead of campsite to campsite. She and Jim get to indulge in warm beds and delicious regional food every night and croissants in the mornings. The GR5 is not all comfort. Walking day after day for ninety-eight days bring sickness, accommodation struggles, language barriers, and storm-shrouded mountains in the Alps. Meanwhile, Kathy finds herself reflecting on difficult topics-primarily, her struggles with dyslexia, overeating, and shame. But she also finds that the walking becomes a moving meditation and the beauty of the landscape heals; she begins to discover her own wise strength; and as the days unfold, she comes to the gratifying realization that a long marriage is like a long trail: there are ups and downs and it takes hard work to keep going, but the beauty along the way is staggering.
Written with raw honesty and compassion, and rich with dazzling scenery, To Walk It Is To See It will inspire you to lace up your walking shoes and discover your own path.
Industry Reviews
"Kathy Elkind eloquently weaves together a narrative of adventure along the legendary long-distance trail, the GR5, with an intimate exploration of personal hopes, dreams and challenges."
-Carroll Dorgan, author of The GR5 Trail: Benelux and Luxembourg
"An inspiring, deeply meditative, moving memoir filled with beautifully written prose, lush landscapes, sensory aliveness, and fascinating characters. As Elkind hikes Europe's GR5, we traverse the ups and downs of her (sometimes rugged) interior terrain-exploring the complexities of midlife, long-term marriage, and womanhood."
-Sherry Sidoti, author of A Smoke and a Song
"Elkind brings us along for the walk of a lifetime and shows us that adventure doesn't have to end when we reach a certain age. To Walk It Is To See It is an honestly written, compelling story of perseverance. Like all great travel literature, it makes us want to take a leap and travel immediately. An inspiring read for anyone thinking of undertaking a physical challenge as well as for those who like to read about them."
—Marianne C. Bohr, author of The Twenty: One Woman's Trek Across Corsica on the GR20 Trail
“Movingly inspiring, To Walk It Is To See It tells the story of a journey of 1,400 miles—a journey of a marriage, a journey toward self-awareness. This book is lyrically personal and highly engaging. It says something significant about facing the unexpected, persevering, and cherishing the world around us and the worlds within.”
—Judy Goldman, author of Child: A Memoir
“Kathy Elkind takes readers on an honest, unfiltered, real-time journey of discovery, exploring the constantly changing landscapes of Europe, of being a woman, and of a marriage in midstream. To Walk It Is to See It is a delightful reminder to appreciate and celebrate every moment of life's adventures.”
—Beth Jusino, author of Walking to the End of the World: A Thousand Miles on the Camino de Santiago
“Showing us the importance of adventure and wonder throughout our lives, Elkind's wise and funny book will have you reaching for your bootlaces and backpack.”
—Kerri Andrews, author of Wanderers: A History of Women Walking
“Full of profound personal insights and sharp observations of the world around her, Elkind's journey is a joy to follow.”
—Ben Shattuck, author of Six Walks: In the Footsteps of Henry David Thoreau
