The Good Hike: A Story of the Appalachian Trail, Vietnam, PTSD, and Love

In 1967, Tim Keenan grew to loathe the impenetrable jungle of Vietnam during his one-year tour of duty as a combat soldier. For 47 years, he couldn’t shake his dread of the woods, until he confronted his fears head on and began a thru-hike of the 2,178.3-mile Appalachian Trail.The Good Hike is Keenan’s story of finally coming to peace with himself, buoyed by the healing powers of nature and his fellow hikers.His story weaves in the beautiful towns and mountains of the great Appalachian trail with the jungle and battle zones around Dak To, including the infamous Hill 1338.Keenan also tells a story of love. His trail partner helped him face his PTSD and cope with the trail’s intense rigors. Most importantly, she taught him how to love again.The Good Hike will make you smile and laugh. And it will make you cry.“War made Tim Keenan afraid to go into the woods. All 2,178.3 miles of the Appalachian Trail helped heal him. A brave journey into the wilderness of PTSD, with beauty and love on the other side.” —Mardi Jo Link, author of The Drummond Girls and Bootstrapped“The Good Hike is the story of an epic journey that helped the author confront his combat related PTSD issues while experiencing the beauty of the wilderness and love and support of his hiking partner. It is the blend of a hiking story, a war story and a love story.” —Mike Lawton, 1st. Lt. A company, 3rd battalion, 12th infantry, 4th Infantry Division, 1967/68The author is the subject of an award winning documentary, NANEEK, directed by Neal Steeno.www.naneek.com