As told by Holly Menten-Weil

As much as hiking and struggling through adolescence with Liz has been an adventure, writing this book has been even more challenging. For most of the writing process I was away at school, and if it weren't for the Internet we would still be writing. Meanwhile, Liz was also looking after my two younger brothers, both of her parents, her handicapped sister, her marriage, and me. Fitting in the writing was not easy. But we stayed with it and now, finally, almost four years later, Through the Woods is done. If Liz is anything, she's determined.

My mother was born in Iowa in 1954. As the eldest daughter of seven children, Liz shared in a lot of family caretaking, an experience that colored her approach to childrearing and inspired her close relationships with each of her three kids. Our bond was formed early on and it has always been strong.

I'm always amazed by the sheer magnitude of things mothers manage to accomplish. Liz may not be a "traditional" mother (whatever that means), but her unorthodox methods have worked wonders for us, and her general strength of character and kindness to those around her have made her a wonderful role model and friend.

A mother, a mountain climber, an environmentalist, a sister, a wife, a friend, a writer, a musician, a teacher, a student, but most of all a human being, Liz has always worked to pursue her passions. Even when her violin practicing drove family and friends from the house, or I brutally crossed out pages and pages of her writing, she has marched on and never given up on her goals.

Now with my high school experience almost complete, my mother's focus will fall upon my two younger brothers. She tells me more music, completing the Appalachian Trail in New England, and resuming her teaching career are all in her future. May her worries be few, her sleep untroubled and her wishes fulfilled.