Trail Talk with Linda Jane Niedfeldt

Brought to you by Stone Soup Books and Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church: 

Come talk with author & hiker Linda Jane Niedfeldt. Hear her trail tales on the AT & think about doing your own walking with Psalms this summer!

Books available to purchase from Stone Soup Books. If weather is good, we will gather outside on the lawn.

Psalms in My Backpack is a memoir of a family hiking 262 miles of the Appalachian Trail (AT)—without cell phones—and surviving. When the Niedfeldt family of six took on the goal of hiking 500 miles of the AT in 1990, they didn’t expect the extreme challenges they encountered: overstuffed backpacks, rocky cliffs, confusing trails, raging storms, poisonous snakes, and dehydration. Dubbed Swiss Family Wisconsin their first night, the Niedfeldts adopted that as their trail name. They were from Wisconsin and they were in for amazing experiences, just like Swiss Family Robinson. Many times during the hard days, breathtaking views were a rare pleasure. Always, like the kind people of Waynesboro, folks reached out to them, sharing hiking tips, food, and even their homes. In desperate times, the family trusted that God would provide safety and peace. Their trust is expressed in Psalm verses that introduce each of the 154 vignettes. Original photos and pencil drawings complete the tale. Told from a mom’s perspective, the story appeals to adventurous moms—and dads—backpackers and wanna-be-hikers. As you read, you might think the risks of the AT were too extreme. Maybe you’ll admire them. Maybe their adventure will encourage you or discourage you from backpacking. Whatever your reaction, this story will entertain and transform you.

* 150 Race Ave is located across from the soccer fields & LOVE fish sculpture near the South River in Downtown Waynesboro. Our building has a mural of 3 Korean women. Parking is in the alley between Race and Arch Ave or in City parking lot next to the Greenway (former Dupont parking lot). GPS is not advisable!!