Kevin Fedarko authors tale of nature, friendship

New York Times bestselling author Kevin Fedarko discussed his book “A Walk in the Park,” the story of he and his friend’s 14-month hike across the Grand Canyon, at D.H. Hill Library on Monday. 

The discussion covered a range of topics, from stories of the adventure itself to raising awareness for dwindling nature to acknowledging the indigenous communities that had been displaced for the sake of nature preserves. 

Ken Johnson, associate director for the University Honors Program and an organizer of the event, said that Fedarko’s book jumped to the bestseller list in July.

“At the Wake County Libraries, all 15 [copies] were not only checked out, but they were wait lists,” Johnson said. “So it seemed clearly something that the community wanted to read and talk about.” 

Alex Peterson, a second-year studying mechanical engineering, found the beginning of the discussion especially impactful. 

“I really liked the part when he was just talking about when he grew up in a place of not very much beauty and how it made him appreciate beauty down the road and the desire to find more,” Peterson said. “That was really impactful.”

Fedarko’s initial interest in nature sparked at a young age when he saw the cover of Colin Fletcher’s “The Man Who Walked Through Time.” He said the cover grabbed hold of him and wouldn’t let go, prompting his desire to stray from his urban hometown and further into untouched nature.

Other students had unique takeaways. Abby Martin, a second-year studying business, said she was drawn to the event because of her own personal experience at the Grand Canyon.

“I can connect what I saw while I was on vacation to something a little bit more academic,” Martin said. “My favorite part was hearing directly from the author. I think it's one thing to read the book and another thing to actually hear it from somebody who experienced it.” 

Jymon Ross, a third-year studying computer science, appreciated the chaoticness of the ordeal. 

“My favorite part was the fact that he embarked on this whole journey on two crazy whims,” Ross said. “The first being that he saw a cover on a book that inspired him to get really deep in nature. And the second being his friend, Pete, just proposing a crazy idea.”

Readers were not the only ones who got something out of this visit. Read Smart was Fedarko’s first time visiting North Carolina. 

“[My time at NC State] has been fabulous, and I've been amazed at how attentive and engaged and excited and enthusiastic the students are,” Fedarko said.

Everyone in attendance of the event, from students to organizers and pure fans of the book, left with a newfound appreciation for nature. 

“For me, a takeaway would be that it is a wondrous place we live on, and not just to care for it, but to notice that,” Johnson said. “I think it's easy to get caught up and get blinders on and you miss the beauty of the world.”

This event was made possible by the Read Smart program, a 13-year-old program NC State Libraries does in partnership with Wake County Libraries.