randy motz

Winner of the Coveted 2011 National Indie Excellence Book ward!

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 love, 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.

"No one has explored thru-hiking as a couple as thoroughly as have Randy Motz and Georgia Harris..an engaging account of thru-hiking the trail along with a half dozen other couples...a significant contribution to the A.T. literature..." --Larry Luxemberg - Author of “Walking the Appalachian Trail”

".....an engaging and inspirational memoir of self-enrichment and enduring love.....a joy to read....will leave you planning your own outdoor adventure." --Brooke Kenny - The Gazette Newspapers
"...an extremely well written book…should not be compared to Bill Bryson's "A Walk in the Woods," nor is it like David Miller's ‘AWOL on the Appalachian Trail...'it is a different story...I highly recommend it...an absolute pleasure to read.” Don Blankenship – Amazon Top 100 Reviewer