5 More Armchair Adventures

Last December, I shared four of my favorite books related to the outdoors. It's that time of year again and I have five more reading recommendations sure to entertain and inspire on those long, cold Winter nights. (If you haven't already, please check out the first installation of "Armchair Adventure".)

Way Out There: Adventures of a Wilderness Trekker

By J. Robert Harris

"Way Out There" recounts the outdoor adventures of J. R. Harris. In it, our author and protagonist takes the reader along on 9 exciting journeys. Beginning with the road trip to Circle Alaska that first sparked his hunger for adventure and ending with a daring solo journey around Mount Ausangate in Peru. With his attention to detail and wicked sense of humor, Harris is a natural storyteller. The way he describes some of the whacky scenarios and unexpected setbacks he encounters on his excursions had me laughing out loud! Something else I really appreciated about Harris' writing style is the way he weaves together his own personal history with that of the remote areas he explores. Despite having 1000s of miles under his belt and overcoming many perils in his hiking career, he remains down to earth and relatable as ever. In sharing about his travels, he never comes across as arrogant or overconfident. J.R. Harris is just an ordinary man leading an extraordinary life!

Find it on Amazon!

Mountain Ghost Stories and Curious Tales of Western North Carolina

By Randy Russell and Janet Barnett

In my opinion, the title sells this book short. It's so much more than ghost stories and curious tales. It's a compilation of the folklore and oral traditions that molded the rich culture of Western North Carolina into what it is today. From the Cherokee legend of the Blowing Rock to the Boojum in the Balsams. Each chapter delves into the lore surrounding specific figures, phenomenons, or natural features in the region. I found the chapter about the Brown Mountain Lights particularly fascinating. In it, the authors trace the history of the strange occurrence and debunk some of the most common explanations for the lights. The focus then steers away from scientific theories to more supernatural ones. This chapter ends with the heartbreaking tale of Belinda. It is believed by many the untimely demise of this woman and others like her have a connection to the mysterious Brown Mountain Lights. "Mountain Ghost Stories" is a must read for any outdoor enthusiast looking to explore the eerie and inexplicable side of this corner of Appalachia.

Find it on Amazon! or rent it for free on Archive.org

Hollow Hills of Sunnalee (The Linville Caverns Story)

By Dr. Cato Holler Jr. and Susan G. Holler

Travel deep into the hillside of Humpback Mountain with this book. Inside, you'll find a series of intricate tunnels and chambers carved out by water and time. "Hollow Hills of Sunnalee" dives far deeper into the Linville Caverns attraction than a 20 minute tour ever could. You don't have to be a rock hound to appreciate this read. Authors Cato and Susan Holler go into the biological and historical significance of the caverns as well. Several memorable stories of people exploring the caverns are told in this book. However, one in particular always stood out to me: In the early 1900s, two young men got lost while wandering through the cave system. With their lantern extinguished and no way to retrace their steps, they would surely die. All hope seemed lost. That is until they noticed a sound: rushing water from an underground stream. Realizing it must be coming from an outside source, they followed the flow. The men crawled for two days through total darkness before finally reaching an exit. "Hollow Hills of Sunnalee" is a journey into the maze-like caverns even the most claustrophobic adventurer will enjoy.

Find it in the gift shop at Linville Caverns. (It might also be available on book resale sites.)

The Getaway

By Jeremy Markovich

Featured in the October 2018 issue of North Carolina's Our State magazine, "The Getaway" is the shortest read on the list. Despite only being a few pages long, it tells the captivating story of a man seeking to answer the question "How far away can I get?" Joined by his friend Andrew and a nomad named Dwayne he met the night before, Jeremy travels deep into Great Smoky Mountain National Park in search of the most remote location in North Carolina. Along the way they encounter rain, technology failure, and a couple of hikers with interesting backstories of their own. The motivation behind this micro-adventure is one I believe all backpackers can relate to: A desire to get as far as possible from civilization to experience true wilderness. Jeremy wanted to find the most remote spot in the state, but was his mission was successful?

Read it for free on the Our State website.

Explore: My Life Searching for Lost Locations of the Bible

By Robert Cornuke

Following a deadly shootout, Bob chose to walk away from his career in law enforcement. He had no idea what kind of daring exploits his next career would lead him to; or how God would use those experiences to reach other people. Nicknamed "the real life Indiana Jones," Bob Cornuke has traveled the world in search of the lost sites and artifacts of the Bible like Mount Sinai, the Arc of the Covenant, and anchors from Paul's shipwreck. "Explore" chronicles Bob's many expeditions and God's provision throughout. One truly remarkable example of divine protection comes from his trip to Saudi Arabia. After narrowly escaping the guards surrounding the mountain Jabal al-Lawz, Bob and his companion are captured by a band of Bedouins. They would need to think fast if they expected to survive. Using the items in his toiletry kit, Bob is able to outsmart the men and save both their lives. The brushes with death, miraculous escapes, and unbelievable discoveries described in this memoir will have you on the edge of your seat!

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed this post and consider picking up one of the armchair adventures mentioned above. Stayed tuned for more recommendations in the future...