So Long as It's Wild: Standing Strong After My Famous Walk Across America

From the New York Times bestselling coauthor of The Walk West comes Barbara Jenkins's long-awaited tale of her walk across America, an adventure that once captured the national media spotlight. From the untold narrative of her impoverished hillbilly upbringing, to the crushing aftermath of her walk toward newfound courage and strength, So Long as It's Wild is her story.
As a child growing up in the wild beauty of the Ozarks, Barbara often spent her days exploring outside and daydreaming of faraway places to escape the realities of poverty. She longed to trade her homemade clothes and outdoor toilet for spectacular adventures around the world. That chance came in the form of a young wild-eyed, long-haired “viking” man named Peter.
After an exciting courtship and a wedding on a dime, the young couple departed on foot from New Orleans on July 5, 1976, heading toward the Pacific Coast. News of the couple’s expedition spread like wildfire, landing them on the cover of National Geographic Magazine and countless other publications. Soon after beginning their nearly three-year journey, Barbara realized the funny, adventure-seeking, charismatic man she married was not the loving partner she thought. Despite this realization, she continued the difficult journey, and whether she faced aggressive renegades, a life-threatening fall from Engineer Pass, or a devastating heartbreak that caused her to feel lost and alone, Jenkins pushed through it all with grit and determination.
Praise for So Long as It's Wild:
“Barbara Jenkins is still standing strong after her famous walk across America. What an inspiring book. I always try to read as many books as I can about women who inspire others with their contribution to society. Barbara has certainly lived it all, done it all, and done it again by putting this book together. So Long as It’s Wild is a book of endurance, grit, love, compassion, and spiritual and physical energy. What a blessing. I hope it touches you as much as it has me.”
-Dolly Parton
“From the swamplands of the south and across America - step by step you will be on the journey with Barbara Jenkins. Her grit and outlook on life are inspiring and bring healing and perspective to any generation. She was born a gifted soul turned writer, and her story was meant to be shared.”
-Bridget Connelly, Founder/CEO of Luna Bay Company
“After reading Barb’s story I was carried away by her adventure, grit and grace and felt like we became dear friends. I didn’t want the story to end.”
-Hilary Swank, Academy Award Winning Actress (Boys Don’t Cry and Million Dollar Baby)