“If you visit Jeff Alt’s website this book is described as follows:
"A WALK FOR SUNSHINE"
An award winning adventure story that will fill you with inspiration to go after your dreams. Jeff Alt takes you along every step of his amazing 2,160-mile Appalachian Trail adventure filled with humor and inspiration. Alt takes you along on an entertaining walk with bears, bugs, blisters, skunk bedmates, and hilarious food cravings. Jeff dedicated his journey to his brother who has cerebral palsy inspiring an annual fundraiser which has raised over $100,000 for the disabled home in which his brother resides. As you walk along with Jeff, you experience perseverance, surviving with only the bare essentials, the success of goal setting, and overcoming obstacles. His story sheds light on the pursuit of a simpler life and the American spirit.
Award-Winning Finalist in the travel essay category of the "National Best Books 2007 Awards."
A Writers Notes Notable-Book Award Winner!!!
On September 8, 2007, Alt announced the release of the new edition of A Walk For Sunshine. New to this edition: Epilogue focusing on Alt's Life Lessons from the trail and how he has applied them to his life. The new cover is displayed on this page. printed on environmentally friendly paper in compliance with the Green Press Initiative.
To read an excerpt from the book click here http://www.awalkforsunshine.com/awalkforsunshine_excerpt.asp#excerpts
I must admit this book hit close to home. My step-son is developmentally disabled, and we are well aware of the struggles for funding and help for citizens that have enough struggles and shouldn’t have to worry about their quality of life being further compromised due to lack of finances. I applaud Jeff for making the 147 day, 2,160 mile hike to raise money for the Sunshine Home, a home for the developmentally disabled where his brother lives.
This book was hard to put down once I started it. It was so nice to read about what must have been a “grueling” trek from someone who was not only downright honest, but able to laugh at himself and stay upbeat throughout his trek. Suffering with abused feet, a sore back and shoulders (due to lugging a 50 pound backpack), insects, shelters where pests were abundant, and severe temperature and climate swings, Jeff was still able to keep positive and forge ahead. Thankfully he had a wonderful support system that helped keep his spirits up, while supplying him with much needed care packages, letters, a few visit, and mostly love and support.
One of my favorite aspects of the book were the tales of the people he encountered along the way. His goal was “to share the spirit for which I was walking” with everyone he met - a goal he certainly accomplished. He learned a few life lessons from the charismatic, and sometimes unusual characters he encountered on the trail. It was wonderful to read of strangers so will to offer “words of wisdom” on the subjects of food, lodging and laundry services, just to name a few.
This book is proof that we are all capable of living our dreams and helping others besides ourselves. Although this book was dedicated to his brother Aaron, it is an inspiration and something we should all strive to do - donate time or money to a cause we strongly believe in.
Thanks Jeff for a “behind the scenes” look into something that is truly fascinating!
About Jeff:
Jeff Alt’s adventures have been featured in media nationwide including: ESPN’s Inside America’s National Parks, Hallmark Channel’s New Morning, CNN-Radio, USA Radio Network, the AP, the Chicago Sun Times, and many more. Alt is a talented speaker, teacher, and the award-winning author of A Walk For Sunshine and A Hike For Mike. Alt is a member of the Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA). Jeff has shared his Appalachian Trail adventures with guests in the Shenandoah National Park for over six years. He holds a Master’s degree from Miami University in Ohio and a degree from the University of Toledo. He continues to host the annual Walk-With-Sunshine inspired by his Appalachian Trail journey. Jeff has walked the 2,160-mile Appalachian Trail, the 218-mile John Muir Trail with his wife, and last summer he carried his 21-month old daughter in a pack across a swath of Ireland on a family hike.
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