A+Walk+in+the+Woods

Please respond to **one** of the following questions. Afterwards, write your name and grade. Thanks, Mr. Moore.


 * 1) Do you agree with Bill Bryson’s views on the average American’s relationship with nature? Does this relationship influence the American identity? Are there consequences for Americans? For the environment?
 * 2) Many American ideals were embodied by the thought behind and building of the Appalachian Trail. How has the identity of America changed since that time period?

1. It is difficult to contradict Bryson's one-way opinion about America's relationship with nature; it being clearly realistic and not containing many exceptions. Therefore, I must lean more toward his views pertaining to the unbalanced proportion of the current technologically advanced society and manifest nature. With a consistent population of those who do, in fact, enjoy spending time or have an occupation pertaining to the outdoors, there will continually be a greater (and most likely increasing) quantity of people who take either more pleasure in technology or use it for their job. This has invariably altered and will continue to influence the identity of America’s partake in both sides of society. Contrasting opinions of the consequences from these disproportional relationships will never directly lead us to what they actually may be. I would say that physical and moral consequences lie upon the surface of this shifting relationship between technology and nature; physically being that the conservation of rainforests, parks, agricultural sites, etc. may gradually decrease, as corporations and urban builds will take their place. Elizabeth McGehee- Sophomore

1. I do agree with Bill Bryson's views on the average Americans relationships with nature, i feel that most americans just sit inside and watch t.v. and play video games when they could enjoy nature and go outside. The consequence for this slow incline in laziness is going to be that we will lose the natural parks and lose the biodiversity within the park because nobody will care for them. They will be inside watching the newest T.V. show or playing the newest video game. The americans will never get to experience the true beauty of nature and what it holds. The environment will slowly decline if no one cares or visits the national park or the forests or the mountains. They will slowly decay over time and there is no fixing that. Alex Romano (Freshman)

I agree with Bill Bryson's view on the average American's interaction with nature. We Americans do not interact with nature as much as we should. We take advantage of technology, something we believe to evolving and very interesting. We overlook the extraordinary presence of nature that rests just before our eyes yet we still are hooked on technology. The consequences of us avoiding this spectacular commodity is that generations to come will also avoid it because they have never been exposed to it and have not experienced it's beauty. Also the consequences for the environment itself may be that we aren't conserving our nature resources and natural beauty. Also another consequence may be that Americans are losing their respect for nature. American identity has changed greatly since the building of the Appalachian Trail. Americans used to use nature as their surroundings for their homes and for recreation. We now use natural resources from nature to build even more modern homes, offices, and recreational centers and stages. These uses of natural resources are destroying what our American relatives used to live and have fun in. - Ben Colyer (sophmore)

1. I, for the most part, agree with Bill Bryson and his views that the average american does not interact with nature as much as they used to. I feel as if the culture of the American Soceity has become more and more revolved around technology and the city life than spending a nice day outside. However, even though many Americans would rather spend their days in the city or doing something technology related, there are many people that do like to spend days outside. There are many people that love going to the beach and going to the park with their friends or families. I believe that the only reason that people don't spend as much time outdoors as they used to is because there are so many more options these days. People like to spread out their interests. Also, I do not think that this shapes America as a whole because all americans are very diverse. America is a melting pot full of many different cultures. Just because culture has changed does not mean that it is a bad thing. This book however is very encouraging and makes going outside and on adventures more exciting. It shows America what fun the world can be. -Christine Ihrke (sophmore)

I agree with most of the ideas that Bill Bryson has stated in his book. I think that most people in todays age would much more rather living and being in a urban city than living and being in the wilderness. I also believe that this book is a great for readers who are seeking to expand there normal lives in cities to branch out in to the wild. Although i agree with his views, i do not believe that this relationship influences the American identity. This to me doesn't make any since of why it would influence the American identity. In the subject of consequences for Americans i don't think that there would be many except for many people missing out on the beauties and wonders of nature and the wild. The consequences for the environment would be very small due to the fact of there being a small amount of Americans even having a good relationship with nature allowing nature to not be messed with as well as its environment. Over all i think Bill Bryson's novel was a great book and it truly showed me how much we as a society have changed through the years, as well as how our relationships with our environment has changed. Rob Thomas-Sophmore

1. I do not agree with some of the ideas that Bill said in his book. I think that more people are in touch with nature and that there are more people in the wild. But I also think that he is right in some ways because there are a lot of Americans that are fat and lazy and they don't appreciate nature.Yes i think that this does influence the identity of Americans, because if more people go out in the wild it shows that we are active, but if people don't do this it shows that Americans are lazier and the we are not an active country. The consequences for Americans are that they won't get to see nature as much and that they won't appreciate it. If this was to happen then it would have a bad influence on nature because forests might then get too over crowed and more plants will die. But also if people get more active in nature, but don't know what they are doing then they could injure themselves or cause plants and animals to become extinct. Over all I thought that this book was really entertaining and hilarious. -Fleetwood Brown sophomore

I think Bill Bryson's book is a great book to encourage young Americans living in cities to expand their comfort zone and go out into the wilderness. Most people in America have no connection what so ever with the wilderness in todays world compared to 80 years ago when mostly everyones world was surrounded by the outdoors. This trail was built for people to get away from the city and enjoy a challenging "walk in the woods" through the peaceful trail. I personally think that all of our new technology and expansion of neighborhoods is driving us further and further away from the great outdoors. Bill Brysons book is showing us how much we have changed through out the past 80 years.Foster Moe

2. I agree with Bill Bryson's perception on the world as it progresses. In the 1920's when the trail was justing beginning its construction, the average American would walk or ride a bike to work because cars were still considered an expensive "new creation." The intensions of the this monumental trail was for a true hiker to demonstrate dedication, perseverance, and to truly have a love for nature. The creators most likely did not know how important this trail would be in the years to come. People must truly have respect for the trail in order to complete it. Only ten percent of travelers make it through the Hundred Mile Wilderness. Bill Truly believed that the world was turning into a terrible place. He believed that the world as we know it would was being consumed by modern technology. Almost every American today could not make it an entire day without using their car, computer, or phone. The reader learns from the start of the book how concerned Bill Bryson was with the world being completely involved with technology. One of the first examples was in chapter 6 when Bill got irritated because Katz bought a TV guide in Franklin. Bill's first choice for a hiking partner was not Katz, who was an overweight alcoholic that had a poor attitude about the trip. Although he was not an ideal partner, Bill and Katz became very close. Katz had more respect for nature by the end of the trip even though they did not come close to completing the trail. I strongly agree with Bill Bryson that the world has changed for the worse in terms of connections to nature since the creation of the Appalachian Trail. Seth Pinosky - Sophomore

I agree with Bill Bryson in the fact that the average american would rather bein the city then out in the wilderness. The relationship that people have with the wilderness is not as great as the people who are mezmarized by cites. I belive that the relationship you have with your suroundings deffinately backgrounds your character as a person and the way that you live. The consequences for the people who luive iun the city, is that they are not able to enjoy/encounter what the wilderness has to offer. Unfortunatley this means that there are more cities that are destroying forests with construction, which is bad for the envirionment. Aidan Hekker - softmoore Bill Bryson took on an amazing adventure and defined what america was all about. He shows how beautiful americas last trail and how fragile everything is with over the top descriptions. His curiosity of the trail amazes me because most americans would prefer to do things in the city other than the wilderness. All of the nature reflects what this country used to be all about and now it is slowly going away for ever. Bryson's main point of this novel is to appreciate all of mother nature and not take it for granted. He is saying we should appreciate what our country has for us. collins moe

1. I agree with Bill Bryson's views of the average american. I believe that as technology expands the average american will not interact with nature as much. During the 1930's (the time when the AT was being built) there was very little technology and nothing stopping americans from interacting with nature. Now as technology increases people's lives depend on technology. Also, another big factor to why people interacted with nature more in the 1930's then now is because many people did not have cars and walked to there destination. Also, T.V.s did not play a big part of there society like they do today. Only a few people had televisions because they were introduced in 1928.I think that going outdoors and interacting with nature should be a big part of a persons life. Tyler Owens

I think that Bill Bryson raised awareness for the trail, and that he painted a picture of reality- a mix between beautiful picturesque sunsets and a cold, sleeting, and utterly miserable hike. He gradually explained through the book about the ups and downs of mankind, and he also explained how America was crumbling at the base. He thought that the average american was too lazy to really hike any distance and would rather rent a cab and waste money than walk a mile to the nearest K-mart. He wants to raise awareness about how the national parks could be taken over by the power-hungry if they so desired. It has already happened in Alaska- the oil companies complained, and the government allowed them to drill a short time later. It could happen to all of our wildernesses, and it might be for almost the same reason.

2. Since the time when the Appalachian Trail was built in the 1920’s and 30’s, America’s identity has changed profoundly. The ideals that were thought of in the making of the trail were that Americans could not only going on leisurely hikes, but that they could connect with and appreciate nature. Currently, it is not very convenient for people to randomly set out on a hike, and if anything, Americans’ connection with nature is rapidly disappearing. First, during those times in America, most of the day was spent outdoors working strenuously on the farm, while today the average worker has a much different task. Nowadays, the majority of jobs are inside or not in any way connected with nature at all. Many Americans spend their days working on a computer in a cubicle. Technology is another thing that has evolved since the 1920’s. The new 4G phones and fast laptops allow easy-access to any information, and therefore, we have become somewhat dependent on them for work, communication, and other activities. Since we have technology to rely on, we are expected to multi-task and get a lot more done. One thing that has not changed in execution, but in intensity, is sports. Today, the majority of kids play a competitive sport that has potential to take up a lot of time because of traveling or everyday practice. And if kids aren’t playing sports, then they are probably watching some. The average American watches more than 4 hours of TV per day, which is about 17% of their day. Back in the days of the building of the Appalachian Trail, kids entertained themselves by playing or exploring outside, but the modern video games and movies take up their free time now. For adults nowadays, it is very hard to take a long break in your job merely to hike the AT. Especially in today’s economy when many people are desperate for an open job, and so many people even have to work extra time in order to provide for their families. In general, the modern pace of America is much faster and busier than that of the people living in the time of the construction of the Appalachian Trail. Courtney Linkous- Sophomore

2. Living right by the side of the Appalachian mts for almost a century, people's identity has already changed drastically, comparing to the trail itself. As what Bill Bryson finds and what the most hikers thinks, the Appalachian trail is a scenic trail in the mountain, and a place for the natural view and sight-seeing. But, we humans always forget what the woods meant to us; the woods used to be a part of our surroundings, or rasther a section of life. Just as people from cities never forget to find a vending machine or a supermarket on the street to fill up themselves, the idea of 'nature' was once a subconsciousness inserted inside human's minds. And, what we thinks always changes as the time goes; in 21th century, we consentrates on high-techs, food and all kinds of artificial amusements. The nature is no more deep conserned; thus, we wouldn't have much more connnections to the 'nature' compare to almost a century ago. The identity of the americans has been changing evolutionarily, and, at this time, we have walked out of the woods. Cities, in modern days, are the places we live. Jack Wang - sophomore

2. Benton MacKaye first proposed his idea of creating a trail from Georgia to Maine with hopes of it being used by generations and generations of people who appreciate and wish to reconnect with nature. However, 1922 America is quite different from 2011 America. The Great Depression, World War II, and many other hardships posed setbacks in the construction of the AT. The trail started off as being a pathway to hours of peace and tranquility in the heart of nature. Whether it be city-dwellers who got tired of the hustle and bustle, or the farmers who wanted a change of scene while staying in the comfort of mother nature, people could use to AT to escape the chaos of everyday life. Because people walked everywhere, worked long hours outside, and generally had a better connection with the outdoor world, the AT was an exciting addition to the East Coast of America. But years and years of modernization, commercialization, cars, technology, and changes in the overall culture of America have resulted in less interest in nature by the general public. Only hiking buffs desire a chance to spend long days trekking through mountainous terrain. Why walk through dirt and mud, eat very little, and lug around a heavy pack, when you could ride down the road in an air-conditioned car to a 5 star restaurant? Americans now-a-days will do almost anything to stay comfortable, and hiking the Appalachian Trail doesn’t exactly epitomize comfort. Another shortcoming of the AT, for teens especially, would be the withdrawal from technology. The wilderness doesn't supply electricity for cell phone and iPad chargers, and that is certainly a discouragement for potential hikers. Americans are also becoming increasingly disinterested in exercise. We would much rather waste the gas to drive two miles to school instead of walking/biking. Laziness prevents many people from wanting to visit the beautiful Appalachian Trail. When the AT was first created, America was seen as a hardworking country that fought for what they wanted. Now, other countries more than likely see us as materialistic, indolent people who take nature for granted. Merritt Headden-Sophomore

2. America as a whole has changed dramatically since the 1930's. Americans tend to forget about the beautiful outdoors and are blinded with technology and civilization. We Americans were once pioneers, but now we have become lazy. Before cars, phones, and other technologically advanced things everybody had to work hard to provide for their family. Many Americans had to work at a farm to provide sufficient food for their families, but now we have huge factories and a surplus so people spend their time doing other things, and become less familiar with the outdoors and nature. The modern major city, where millions of people are condensed into a small patch of land, have ruined nature for people where they have no back yard and live in sky scrapers, and are stuck inside all day. The american identity has changed drastically from the 1930's where technology has taken over the many jobs, especially the tedious jobs. Nowadays people have a different perspective of having fun, we stay inside and play video games or watch a movie, but back then where this hasn't been invented kids would spend their whole day outside exploring new things, and a hike on the AT would be their vacation, where they can relax from their hard work and enjoy nature. Jake Spandorfer-sophmore

1. I agree with Bryson's views on how the average American's regular life does not involve being in the "great outdoors" on a daily basis like it once did. Before there were cars, phones, and computers, people had to work much harder to communicate. this involved riding usually in some horse drawn contraption for miles from one town to the next just to get a letter to your family. Nowadays the american identity has been changed from being hard working entrepreneurs that had a relationship with the natural geography like that of the back of their hand, to a lazy, much more industrialized community that banks on the use of cars, computers and the newest technology, to save them the trouble of a "walk in the woods" to get the job done. Consequently, America has become increasingly more detached from mother nature and the environments around us. This leads to us seeing the environment as nothing more important than ourselves so we disregard it and soon it starts to dwindle down to something of the least imortatnce thus beginning its destruction. Langdon Hartsock - Sophomore

1.The average American has a uninvolved relationship with nature today. Much of the relationship of citizens in nature has to do with exercise, whether it is hiking, biking, boating, skiing, etc. Bryson adds up the total walking distance of an average American for an entire week, and the sum is less than one and one half miles. Now imagine how much of this distance is for pleasure or recreation rather than walking to and from the car, through the grocery story, and to the office. Americans spend almost no time outside just walking, admiring nature, and releasing themselves. The 21st century demands constant entertainment; no time to relax and admire nature. Instead of hiking through the famous redwood forests, many people now opt to drive through instead, distancing themselves from nature. Since Americans are becoming decreasingly interested in nature, awareness of the problems in our environment is plummeting. This has already had a disastrous consequence in nature; global warming. Isolation from nature would not only have negative result on the environment, but also on the American people. With all the new technology, there is no need to go outside at all for enjoyment, especially in the woods. Americans have always been in sync with nature, but now, it seems as though people are giving nature the cold shoulder. Although America might not know it, its people are slowly disconnecting themselves from nature, and connecting themselves to technology; a disastrous shift. Jack Cahill, Sophomore

2. I believe that America's indentity has not changed much since that time period, when talking about the appalachian trail. Because the appalachian trail has always appealed to a certain group of people. It has never been a major pass time for the majority of Americans. But for the group that the appalachian trail does appeal too, they have also relatively stayed the same. There are still many groups that help with maintaining the trail and hiking the trail is still a respected feat. Daniel Sanderson - Sophomore

2. America has dramatically changed in many was, but mainly technologically. With this major incline of computers, TV, and Fast food restaurantes, people are becoming less and less aware of the decline of our national forrests. I believe that Bill Bryson is doing a great deed by bringing back that awareness of our national forrests. From the start of the AT in Georgia to the end in Maine is a distance of about 2100 miles; this was thought to be a major achievement for any American who had the will to embark on this journey. Once google maps was released to the public; almost all citizens found a simpler way to discover America right from there desk top computer. A Walk in the Woods is an inspirational and informitable book, if citizens would take time out of there suposedly busy scheduele to read thirty pages a day it would be posible for the great American society to find the will to be more active. I think that is what happend over this last decade, the will has changed for people to do amazing things. There is so much to learn from just A walk in the Woods. Joe Stoppelbein - Freshman

2. The America of the 1930's has long been forgotten; due to the immeasurable advancements in technology, transportation, entertainment, and our society as a whole, people have lost connection with nature. Although there are certainly numerous people who are avid hikers and outdoorsmen, there are far more people who only enjoy watching nature on TV or the computer. People in the 1930's, as well as before the completion of the AT, gained inspiration from nature. Now, however, it is evident that Americans have completely forgotten the boundless opportunities that nature has to offer. Americans, as well as many other people in the world, have become consumed with new technologies, thus they do not wish to ever take ' a walk in the woods'. However, in my opinion, there are still a number of Americans who hold on to the ideals that the AT once represented. While a seemingly insignificant accomplishment today, the creation of the AT gave many Americans a sense of pride and freedom, and will always continue to do so. Layne Mather-Senior

1. Yes I completely agree with Bill Bryson's views on the average American's relationship with nature. The American identity has become one of a fat, lazy, overindulgent slob who rarely connects with nature in any way at all. The perfect example of this American disconnection with nature is shown by Bryson when they leave the Appalachian Trail briefly for a stop in Gatlinburg, which has become a wasteland of strip malls, factory outlet stores, hotels,fast food places, and amusement parks. It is a tacky horrible place over run with fat tourists, who don't even realize the close proximity of the trail. They soon realized that the small luxuries we take for granted are so precious on the trail. Man's inability to connect with nature is impacting the environment greatly by things such as tree specimens dying out and certain breeds of animals becoming extinct. Will Sherer-Junior

1. I agree with Bill Bryson’s view of the average Americans relationship with nature. Before everyone had phones, car, computers, etc... people spent most of their time outside. This relationship does influence the American identity; most Americans are no longer as in touch with nature as they used to be. Our society has become so dependent on cars, phones, and the internet that people have forgotten about what is all around them. We spend billions bailing out bankrupt companies that provide us these thing, but we don't spend enough money protecting our natural resources. Our society has switched from one that used to be hardworking and in touch with mother nature to one that doesnt care about it at all. This leads to the loss of one of our greatest possesions. Mac McKenzie- Junior

2. Since the time period of the Appalachian Trail, America has changed a lot. Instead of relying on nature and our surroundings for survival, we are totally dependent on our cars, laptops, cell phones, and credit cards. We now live in a individualistic, capitalist society in which everyone is looking out for themselves. In those days families and towns and communities were much closer and much more dependent on each other. I think this is the message Bill Bryson is trying to convey. He is trying to say that all of our modern day technology might help us communicate, travel, and function economically, but it is making our society grow farther apart and that it is hurting our society's ability to function peacefully. Will Herring - Junior

A Walk in The Woods should speak directly to modern day life. It is common for people to simply quit or not even give something a try simply because it seems to stressful or demanding. A walk In the Woods offers a chance and a new start for Stephen Katz and Bill Bryson. This book can be seen as the relationship between humans and the nature that not only surrounds us, but makes up our everyday life. It can be easy today to be distracted with fancy technology and gadgets but from this book it tells us that a "walk in the woods" can be a break, or getaway for people and life's demands. This book was not only did its job to entertain the reader with an eventful plot, but also left the reader thinking about life lessons which they can take with them and apply in the near future. Joseph Weintraub- senior

2. A Walk In The Woods illustrates the difference between living in industrialized cities to living in the desolate wilderness. During the 1930’s Americans were more involved in the well being of the country, but as time progressed I think the identity of America has changed in a more negative way. For example people are not as active in ways of excersice and keeping in touch with nature as they used to be. The Appalachian Trail allows people to rekindle their lost bond with nature by hiking beautiful trails and living with nature. The bond with nature, which is lost from the time of the opening of the Appalachian Trail, demonstrates that Americans should keep old traditions of staying in touch with nature as well as developing new ones....i cant get the font smaller, sorry. Victor Hyman-senior

where are the questions?- jack saalfield- senior LIKE^ -will sherer-junior

2. When the AT was originally planned and thought out, it was meant to be a place where people who liked hiking or just wanted to hike without making their own trail could go. The AT was not meant to be a place for people to drive near or around, but an outlet to escape from everyday life into the serenity of nature. Now, the AT or certain locations on the AT are tourist attractions, made to suck in money from the thousands of tourists who visit certain spots on the trail. As time progressed from the beginning of the AT, the identity of America has changed negatively. The AT started off as a place to go hiking and only hiking. Since then, places around the AT have been commercialized, buildings have been put up, ski resorts have been made, etc. The identity has changed from being surrounded by the outdoors to making money of the outdoors by building various tourist attractions near the AT. -Cierra Duncan, junior

Today the Appalachian Trail is a place for people to hike with the intensions of going through maybe some of the most challenging hiking times of their lives. it will test your exercising ability and possible your mental strength. But also America has changed a lot with all of the things Americans have, many of them have lost some type of relationship with nature. the Appalachian Trail was built for people to have an easy hike and to build their relationship with nature, which is a very good thing. but now a days there are more things that interfere with goals of the Appalachian Trail. Jack Saalfield SENIOR

2. How the identity of America has change from that period where the Appalachian Trail was built is numerous. One of the first ways is that you see it in the book is when Katz comes off the plane with a bad full of candy. This is just one of many things America has changed during this time we are now obsessed with TV, Phones, Facebook, videogames, and etc. America use to be a place where America loved nature so much to put national parks up ,but now we use the land as trash cans. Phillips Marshall-sophomore
 * A Walk in The Woods had a direct relationship to modern day life.With lifes tough obstacles it can be tempting to give up and take to easy way out, but this book shows that if you pursue what you believe in then you can become very successful. Stephen Katz and Bill Bryson need to hit the restart button in life, and taking this adventurous hike is exactly what the two needed. Life today is consumed by technology and electronic items, but when out in the woods you get a break from the everyday routine. On the hike they begin to survive with out these things and begin to rely on what we used to use to prevail. The book was very entertaining and made to reader look beyond the words and make the connection between the hikers and their lifestyle. I would definitely recommend this book.**
 * Hunter Mitchell- SENIOR**
 * I think that Bryson is right about how some americans get so used to having so much stuff given to them or being able to use a computer to order things that they have lost touch with nature and the wild. I think the consequences are that if the computers and other things that make life so easy are taken away that people will become helpless. People are also using so much of nature resources that so there will be no wild left. The trail and the other areas around the country are so important in helping some of the people who want to experience the wild tobe able to and more people should get out of the city and see it. Mikell Hay 9th grade**
 * 1.) I would have to agree with Bryson, Americans have a certain disconect with nature. We take for grantred the beautiful parks and spaces, instead we would rather enjoy modern technology. We seem to associate the outdoors as meerly just that, the outdoors, prefeering to stay in side behind doors. We are letting the conserved nature, the "protected" parks go to waste, encouraging them to be overgrown as we waste away our time watching T.V and surfing the internet.**
 * Bailey Poe-Senior**
 * 1.Bryson's view of the average american's connection of nature is very true. we have become accustomed to an urban environment. we have destroyed the natural world around us, and have replaced it with buildings, sidewalks, and highways. Yes we have the natural forrest and reserves, but still continue to destroy entire mountains for cheap coal. Americans are too focused on our social statuses and greed; to notice whats we have done to this once breath taking landscape. only leaving glimpses of what it was.**
 * Reynolds Ball- senior**