Gary E. Wehrwein presents his new book "Hike to Alive: An Epic Poem of Trauma to Transformation"

Hike to Alive strives to capture and share a childhood stricken with trauma, transforming wounded brokenness by physical and sexual abuse into a lifetime healing journey. This is an extraordinary 10-year section hike on the 2090-mile Appalachian Trail running from Maine to Georgia.


Seeds of this journey began when the author was 3, and his father lifted him to the bedroom window in the dark of night and said: "Look at the full moon reflection on the water. See the sturgeon jump out of the moon and splash back into the river." That early experience planted unsprouted "soul seeds" within his son. When the "seeds" began to break out of their skin, they eventually led to a firm conviction that "All Life is Sacred," which in turn led to the telling of this amazing transformative tale.


Joined on hs hike by a seminary classmate annually, these two mid-life men create a strong, trusting relationship that continues today. Each one has their own story. Each one is a Witness to the other Divine Mystery as the natural and ineffable worlds illumine individuals but different journeys together.


The enclosed poems combine to express struggle, pain, friendship, and joyful triumph. They reflect spiritual depth, walking with God in the extraordinary power of creation.


Rev. Dr. Gary E. Wehrwein is a retired ordained United Church of Christ minister. He lives in Keene, NH and Denia, Spain with his wife, Pilar, and their blended family. Gary is a former pastor of rural churches in Vt and NH. His doctoral training led him to become a Licensed Clinical Pastoral Psychotherapist with Maps Counseling Service. Gary cares for and restores land. Stone wall building and restoration, brush clearing, selective tree thinning, bringing back over-grown fields, and a blueberry patch. Making new space for new gardens are all part of his commitment to care for the earth on which he lives.Wehrwein now writes poetry. Gary and Pilar have hiked many New England trails including all NH 4000' footers. The Camino de Santiago in Spain, Camino de Inca in Peru, and other trails in North and South America are on their "finished" list.

You may also like the following events from The Toadstool Bookshop, Keene NH:

• This Sunday, 15th June, 04:00 pm, Rodger Martin & Linda Warren present their newest books of Poetry! in Keene
• This month, 27th June, 06:00 pm, Tim W**d presents his newest book "The Afterlife Project" in Keene

Also check out other Arts events in Keene, Literary Art events in Keene, Trips & Adventurous Activities in Keene.