A Blistered Kind of Love: One Couple's Trial by Trail

A Blistered Kind of Love is a terrific account of one couple as they trek the Pacific Crest Trail. The narrative alternates between authors Angela and Duffy Ballard, and that sets the book apart from other hiking memoirs. Seeing the hike from both perspectives invites the reader to share the experience with greater depth than most single-perspective narratives. It's almost as if we get to alternate sharing the trail with each author, hearing ones view of the trail tale before we hang back and join the other, listening to the same story with that author's particular way of looking at the adventure. Very quickly, the reader gets the sense of being on a hike with good friends. It helps that both writers do a terrific job of letting us see through their eyes. This book is strongly recommended for hikers, adventurers, and people interested in the way relationships develop in extreme situations.

For anyone with a sense of adventure and the urge to find it inside themselves. Both fun and inspirational - this is what good travel writing is all about - and it comes with an added twist. Duffy and Angela alternate writing chapters and their distinct styles (and perspectives) are what really make this book fresh and original.

Reading this book inspired my boyfriend and I to thru-hike the Pacific Crest Trail (which we completed in October, 2005). Angela does such a fantastic job of telling her story. It's entertaining, funny, and a great read. I'd highly recommend this book for both for PCT hikers and for anyone else who wants to read a wonderful story.

I just finished this - an entertaining read of a couple who thru-hiked the PCT in 2000. Angela had never backpacked before. It gives you a feeling for what the emotional highs and the lows are when hiking the PCT, and they have an upbeat attitude. More detail than Karen Berger's Triple Crown book, not the nitty gritty of Bill Schuette's story of his AT hike - White Blaze Fever.They tandem team this book, alternating chapters. Normally each chapter progresses farther up the trail, though sometimes you might read about a common experience from two different views. You get some idea of the tremendous logistical problems in doing a thru-hike, and an even better sense of what a relationship test this is.By the end of the book you feel a kinship with the other thru-hikers they encounter, so it is a nice touch that they have an epilogue, talking about what happened to the other thru-hikers they encountered.

An unexpected treat! Bought this book on a whim while planning a (much shorter) trip of my own. Have just ordered additional copies as gifts for friends. The Ballards, who you'll feel like you know, are alternatively hilarious and inspiring. Basically, they're an everyday twenty-something couple that sets out to hike from Mexico to Canada during one summer. For fun?! The "he said / she said" structure is perfect. A blast to read. (Wonder what's next for these two...?)