Solemates: Lessons on Life, Love & Marriage from the Appalachian Trail

WINNER OF THE COVETED 2011 NATIONAL INDIE EXCELLENCE BOOK AWARD What happens when a middle-aged couple with no previous backpacking experience, decides to test their 14-year marriage and spend six months hiking the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine in one continuous hike? Will their motto of "Quitting is not an option" be a blessing or a curse? Travel with "Windtalker" and "Mom," as they wrestle with their personal weaknesses and capitalize on each other's strengths; and in doing so, gain a deeper understanding of what it takes to make and keep a marriage strong. "Solemates" is not a daily chronicle of trail life but rather a candid, introspective and sometimes humorous look into the range of emotions experienced during the pursuit of such a life-changing adventure. It is a warmhearted journal depicting lessons in perseverance, human nature, compassion, understanding, and teamwork. Their stories, and those of their thru-hiking companions, reveal insights into the human spirit and refreshing perspectives on what is truly important in life.

Randy A. Motz, a.k.a. ＂Windtalker,＂ has been an ASTM-certified heli-arc welder, a solar sunspace designer and carpenter, as well as, the general manager and part owner of one of the largest weighing equipment distributors in the United States. Just prior to hiking the Appalachian Trail, he was a producer and marketing director for Gospel and Contemporary Christian Artists at the largest recording studio in Washington, D.C. He has several production credits to his name, and in 2007 he released his own CD of Native American flute music entitled, ＂Windtalker - Native SoundScapes.＂ He is president of The Qualtech Resource Group, Inc., a multi-media creation company, as well as, the driving force behind Windtalker Music, a music production company. Currently he performs live sound production work for concerts, corporate and civic events, is Supervisor of Activities and a ＂trail talker＂ for the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, and continues to compose, record and perform music. He and his wife Georgia Harris, a.k.a. ＂Mom,＂ also make numerous presentations about their Appalachian Trail thru-hike and give motivational talks that urge people to pursue their dreams. ＂Dream It! Plan It! Live It,＂ ＂The Joys of Backpacking as a Couple,＂ ＂Spiritual Reflections from the Appalachian Trail,＂ and ＂The Care and Feeding of the Long-Distance Hiker＂ are just a few of the presentations made at state and national parks, churches, scout troops and professional and civic organizations.