For author Paul Molyneaux, the hike was about parenting the way he wanted to in an increasingly complex and technology driven world; it was about keeping his marriage together and focusing on his priority: family.

Together with Asher’s mother and 10-year-old sister, who joined them for hundreds of miles, Asher and Paul infused their hike with the philosophy of AT visionary Benton MacKaye. Embracing MacKaye’s description of the trail as a “Barbarian Utopia-a counter movement to the metropolitan invasion of our wilderness,” they became known as “the Barbarians.”

In an illustrated 40-minute presentation followed by Q & A, Asher and Paul will describe the highlights of their experiences, hiking the trail, writing and illustrating the book and bringing the lessons of the trail back to their daily lives.  Books will be available for sale and signing on the day of the event.

To get to Walnut Creek Preserve’s Nature Center from the Tryon and Columbus area, take Hwy. 108 E and turn left on Hwy. 9 toward Lake Lure. Follow Hwy. 9 N for 5 miles and turn right onto McGuinn Road (at the Exxon station). Go 1 mile to the intersection with Big Level Road; turn left, go 2/10ths of a mile and take the first right onto Aden Green Road.  Follow Aden green for 4/10ths of a mile and turn left on Herbarium Lane and into Walnut Creek Preserve.  Take the first left onto Conservatory Lane, which takes you to the parking area for the nature center.

Please note, Walnut Creek Preserve is privately owned and visitation is by invitation only.

For more information or directions from another location, please contact the Pacolet Area Conservancy at 828-859-5060 or email: landprotection@pacolet.org.