Mitch and Becca are stunned when an injured and strung out young woman, an echo from the past, arrives unexpectedly at their mountain lodge. But Emily is not alone–she belongs to an eclectic fellowship on a quest to backpack from Georgia to Maine.

The hiking group includes: a driven, but unfocused, mid-life attorney; a troubled young woman trying to separate herself from unproductive relationships with men and alcohol; a young, poor outdoors-loving duo in it for the adventure, if they can afford it; an obnoxious know-it-all; and a serious, recently-graduated young professional. These six form unexpected relationships with each other and the staff at Thirdway lodge.

Mitch Carson is a retired engineer who has run Thirdway for several years. He and his wife Becca have a great reputation and social network among the nearby townspeople, especially with the perceptive sheriff, steady nurse, foreign-born storekeeper, and omniscient boarding house owner. Becca has pursued her own passion and established a newly-thriving community education center. However, Mitch and Becca are struggling to keep their relationship vibrant amidst the growing demands of their second careers–their solution surprises the community. Then the arrival of a certain hiker leads to new perspective on togetherness and family.

Thirdway portrays intersecting communities–the inhabitants of a small Virginia town set along the Appalachian Trail and a troupe of hikers on transformational journeys. These groups intertwine in a tale of adventure, family, relationships, redemption, and self-discovery.