In 1975, when noted conservationist Dr. Richard W. Carroll made his thru-hike of the two-thousand-mile-long Appalachian Trail, he had a bachelor’s degree in biology, but his real education about nature’s splendors began long before any formal training. In Cheshire, Connecticut, his mother was known as Lill, the Flower Lady, the naturalist-in-residence. 2,000 Miles around the Tree of Life: A Naturalist Hikes the Appalachian Trail is dedicated to her.

Richard began his journey from Springer Mountain, Georgia, on April 14, and on September 15, he climbed Mt. Katahdin at the northern terminus of the historic trail. Along the way, he kept a journal that his local newspaper based a series of articles on. Now, he has adapted his writings and observations into this moving memoir.

Though numerous books have been written about hiking the Appalachian Trail, none have captured the exhilarating sense of awe that comes from encounters with nature in quite the same way that this lifelong naturalist has-imbuing his writing with a poetic sensibility that speaks to the heart and stirs the soul.

So come along and travel deep into the heart of the ancient Appalachians, stopping to smell the flowers and ponder the majesty of the eastern woodlands as you immerse yourself in a remarkable and inspiring journey.