Miles to Go (2) (The Walk Series)

I absolutely loved this book! I read the author's first book in this series "The Walk" and was thrilled there was another (this one). I think that Alan's story is one that we all can relate to - we just all don't have his courage and conviction to follow through with what he does. I can't imagine walking cross-country - yet when I was reading this book, I felt like I would truly like to do something like this! The author craftily takes us into the mind and heart of Alan Christoffersen who literally takes upon himself starting a new life. After losing everything (his wife, his business, his home) in "The Walk", he set off walking from Washington state to Key West, FL. We get to see those Alan encounters along his journey, how he is both defeated at times and how he uplifts others. That saying "there's a purpose for those who cross our paths" rings true in this book. Walking this unthinkably long journey, Alan is at one with nature, his thoughts, his spirit. All this changes him more than he at first realizes. And from what I'm sensing as I read this book #2 of the series, I truly doubt he could possibly return to being who he was when he eventually returns to Washington.The author does a fantastic job of taking the reader along every step of the way of Alan's journey. We learn about the places he walks through, the people he meets, even the things he eats. I was easily able to actually feel how Alan felt camping out under the stars of the wilderness based on how the author described it (even though I've never done this myself!). And I like the hope that is continuously portrayed within this book. Even toward the end, when the author has Alan doubting the entire journey, he shows us how Alan discovers the true reason of his venture. And who of us can't relate to that? We all go through periods in our lives where we doubt what we're doing, pursuing, thinking, planning, etc. We could easily stop going forward for fear of what may happen in the end. Yet, with hope, if we "plow ahead" we indeed may make the changes in our lives that is actually our "purpose" for being here. Purpose, hope and a heavenly direction are intertwined with Mr. Evan's story and he does a remarkable job in writing about it in such a way that as a reader, I felt like I was walking alongside Alan, feeling the same mile after mile under my very own feet. I felt at one with the characters of this book; they are alive and realistic. I easily pictured them in my mind, felt their issues, understood the reasoning behind their crossing paths with Alan and was pleased with their eventual outcome. I'm curious with what will continue with them! ...I can't wait for the next installment to come out! The book ends in such a way that on the one hand, Alan's hope is restored and his adventure continues - but a mysterious person is revealed that seems to be of significance to either Alan's past life or perhaps someone who's been in his journey's path along the way now toward his new life. Either way, I'm very curious to find out who this is, how the characters he's helped in this book continue on with their lives, and most of all, how Alan himself continues with his walk.Thank you so much to Mr. Evans for writing this walking journey of human hope for us readers. It's a different sort of story but the most wonderful kind that I've come across in a long time. I hope he writes many more installments to Alan's story - it's definitely helping me to envision life from a different perspective. I encourage everyone who hasn't read this book yet, and of course the first one (The Walk), to do so. These books are keepers; they're inspirational, motivational, thought-provoking, realistic- ones that I know I'll never forget and most likely will refer to in the future.

After reading book 1, I had to order the book so I could get started on book 2, and the rest of the books following.It is fun to read a book where you know most of the locations named, and I love to read something about what I have never experienced. Wonderful series.

Miles to Go is #2 in the journey of Alan Chrisoffersen. The flow is soft yet sometimes emotional. I got started and couldn't put it down.Alan hadn't made it out of his home state of Washington when he was jumped and stabbed leaving him critically wounded. His trek to Key West, Florida, on hold while he rehabilitates at the home of a kind woman he met along the road.Alan has to stay with Angel for a length of time for a couple of reasons, one being the weather and the other his injuries. He won't be able to leave Washington until March, when the East entrance of Yellostone Park opens. During his rehab we learn things aren't always as they seem for most folks in this world. Everyone has a back story, some good, some sad, some tragic.I've always appreciated RPE's way of getting into the emotions without coming across as pandering or too silly, it always feels real. Alan is compassionate and strong yet he's learning his limitations along the way. The characters feel real all the way through.My major problem with the book is that in the beginning we learn that Angel is a Type 1 diabetic. Being one for 15 years I was ready to see how RPE worked this into the story. However, I was sorely disappointed on page 110 when he has Angel explaining how she was going to kill herself (sorry if this is a spoiler but..) by going out and eating all kinds of stuff (short version) and then go home and overdose on insulin. Sorry, that is not the way it could be done and I get testy when I feel someone isn't up on how Type 1 diabetes works. First off, if she did go out and eat all kinds of things that could do it, but she can't come home and overdose on insulin, it's not going to work that way! Yes, she could eat and go into hyperglycemic shock/high blood sugar coma. Yes, she could overdose on insulin but only if her blood glucose levels were low anyway. NO you can't have it both ways at the same time! So, that was my gripe. Oh, and when Alan asked how Angel was going to handle the Thanksgiving dinner she replied she'd just use more insulin but she knew that wasn't the best thing to do....I thought to myself, what are you talking about? That's how we do it! UGH!There are many interesting people along the way and Angel is just one, but she is around a good part of the book.So, my message to any authors or aspiring authors if you're going to use Type 1 diabetes as an affliction for one of your characters please get it right. RPE isn't the first author to do this, I've read a couple of other books with similar problems and I harp on them too!So, overall, I am enjoying Alan's vision quest as I like to call it. I enjoy the facts on the places RPE has added so the reader gets a sense of the place. I visited Crazy Horse Mountain back in 1978 when it was still mostly mountain so I could relate. Will be looking forward to next year's installment of Alan's trek.

Paul Evans has captured the essense of extreme grief and loss that many experience with a resolve to radical change. His experiences are realistic and entertaining. I have throughly enjoyed the first two books and especially appreciate the experiences of spiritual renewal that his main character is gaining as he tries to complete his quest. The nature, the weather elements and the smattering of evil that he encounters is also very realistic. His characters are diverse and memorable. His main character sometimes seems a bit 'too' good, maybe too controlled, but always the gentleman. Can't wait for the next book.I would like to see in the last book how the main character merges back into the society he left or establishes a new one.I left a long time ago grief for a brief span and also went on a quest. It too, proved to hold experiences that have never been forgotten. Now I find I can 'run away' without leaving behind those who care. I hope he learns this lesson.