What inspired you to begin long-distance hiking, and what motivated your first major walk on the Camino de Santiago in 2011?
My husband, who had completed the Appalachian Trail, and I attended a meeting of the local hiking club. One of the speakers enthusiastically described his wondrous pilgrimage to Santiago. Thinking this would be an excellent way to celebrate my 60th birthday, I began planning and training for the arduous trip.
Women of the Way blends your personal journey with stories from other female pilgrims. What was the most surprising insight you learned from those women?
I learned so many things from these women as I witnessed kindness, integrity, joy, and saw how women from all nations bonded together to achieve a goal--reaching Santiago. This sisterhood or camaraderie was unexpected.
How did walking 500 miles on the Camino change your outlook on life, purpose, and aging?
Walking allows one to experience life at a slower pace and provides time for inner reflection, but it was only a small part of my Camino experience. Seeing new places, speaking with people from many countries, learning to trust myself, and reconnecting with my husband were more integral to changing my outlook on life, purpose, and aging. I learned the importance of living in the moment, the value of having people in my life, and that, with determination, one can achieve one's goals, regardless of age. Fifteen years later, I continue to live in the moment, connect with people, and walk six or more miles daily with occasional mountain climbs or other long trails. The wonder of experiencing the world has not left me.
You’ve hiked internationally and across the United States. What makes the Camino experience unique compared to other trails?
The Camino attracts thousands of people from around the world for its religious, cultural, and physical experiences. The majority of hikers (pilgrims) are there to experience the Camino, not just to complete another trail. As a result, camaraderie develops, people help each other, and everyone is kind and joyful. This pleasure of being with others is unique to the Camino.
Hadrian’s Wall Path became more meaningful than you initially expected. Can you share what emotional or historical discoveries made that journey special?
The many placards and interpretation boards along Hadrian's Wall Path help visualize the wall's initial construction and describe Roman life 1900 years ago. The cold, the terrain, and the mizzle (misty rain) helped transport me back in time and let me experience life as the Roman soldiers did.
What were some of the biggest challenges you and your husband faced while hiking the Vermont Long Trail during such extreme weather conditions?
The cold, the rain, the terrain, and my recently developed allergy to New England grass made hiking the Vermont Long Trail challenging. Without humor, the ability to lean on each other, and a shared desire to experience both the good and bad, hiking the VLT would have been impossible.
Many readers say your books inspire them to take on adventures they once thought impossible. What advice do you have for someone who feels they are “too old,” “too busy,” or “not athletic enough” to start?
If one's health is good, age should not be a deterrent to taking on adventures. At seventy-three years old, we walked the Southwest Coast Path in England. It was difficult, and we had to adjust the distance walked each day because of our age. Even so, we met other older hikers who seemed to have no difficulty walking the path. Because we lived in Florida, we had no hills to practice on. As we progressed, we increased our daily distance. For those who feel they are not athletic enough to start, I recommend starting slowly. As the body adjusts, add more distance or challenges. For those who are too busy to go on adventures, I also recommend starting slowly. Sneak in a few hours to experience something locally, and continue so until the desire to experience new adventures changes your “busy” priorities. I had to wait until I was 60 years old to go on a long adventure; before then, I scheduled a day here, a weekend there. Adventure has always been an integral part of my life.
While co-authoring “A Short Walk on a Long Trail,” how did writing together affect your relationship, and what did you learn about each other?
Our writing styles are very different. Because of this, I wrote the first part of the book. Dennis, who completed the VLT, finished the story.
You’ve climbed twenty of the forty 4,000-foot New England mountains. Do you have a favorite peak or hike there, and why?
Turning 30 was difficult for me, and I did not want to share that experience or celebrate the decade. Instead, I climbed four mountains with my husband: Flume, Liberty, Lincoln, and Lafayette, on a strenuous 14-mile loop on the Franconia Ridge.
What is your process for recording and transforming a hiking experience into a compelling travel memoir?
Keeping a journal, my daily blog, and the photos we took were instrumental in writing my travel memoir.
You have won multiple literary awards. How has that recognition influenced your writing journey?
My main purpose in writing was to share my experiences with readers, not to win awards. Receiving the awards was personally satisfying and may have helped readers choose my books over others.
What role does community—both on the trail and among readers—play in your work?
It was the community of pilgrims that convinced me to write my first book. It was the readers who reviewed my books, came to lectures and book fairs, and sought to speak with me that prodded me to continue writing. Without this feedback, I don't think I would have been as good a writer or would have continued writing.
You’ve traveled to sixteen countries by foot and bicycle. Which destination still holds a special place in your heart, and what place is next on your wishlist?
My first long-distance hike remains my favorite and is very dear to me. Now, in 2026, my husband and I plan to visit France, Spain, Italy, Greece, Montenegro, Croatia, and Slovenia. This time we are taking cruise ships, trains, buses, and planes to travel between countries.
After seven books and countless miles, what future projects or adventures are you currently planning or dreaming about?
There are many places in the US that I still want to visit. I would like to tour the National Parks, the Hawaiian Islands, and much more.
You’ve been using our services for 7-8 years now. How has your publishing process improved or changed during this time, and what advice would you give new authors just starting their journey with us?
AllAuthor's Tweet Scheduler has been my best tool for sales, especially in the past couple of years. As an author starting out, AllAuthor's tools are most helpful for book promotion.
