How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
At Christmas, I put notes in lots of cards inviting people to come with me on the trail. Nobody responded, of course. (1.2.19)
This isn't like inviting someone to a wedding—attempting to trek the entirety of the Appalachian Trail is an extremely serious endeavor. It requires a heaping portion of chutzpah to even consider such a lofty feat.
Quote #2
In the twenty-five years since, I had run into him three or four times [...] We had remained friends in a kind of theoretical sense, but our paths had diverged wildly. (1.2.19)
In the end, Bryson is saved by the (kinda) lovable Stephen Katz. He might not be the most physically fit fellow in the world. He might not be the most quick-witted. And he certainly isn't great company all the time. But Bryson doesn't have any other options and beggars can't be choosers. Still, we don't think we'd like to be in his shoes very much.
Quote #3
Sometimes he would be proudly bearing my stick, which I had left by a tree when I had stopped to tie my laces or adjust my pack. (1.4.20)
Even though they butt heads at times, Bryson and Katz have a strong friendship. And Katz can be a solid dude at times—he makes it a point to look for Bryson's walking stick because he knows how important it is to him. That's friendship in a nutshell.