Fun Detour - Happiness for Beginners

This week’s blog was about our first trip to Maine, a state known for many things including the northern end of the Appalachian Trail. Since I have previously shared a Fun Detour about my family’s appreciation for A Walk in the Woods, I thought this would be a great time to highlight Happiness for Beginners, the 2023 Netflix film starring Ellie Kemper and based on the novel by Katherine Center.

This film takes a younger lens to traveling the Appalachian Trail, as a group of Millennials signs up for a survivalist hiking experience on a segment of the Appalachian Trail in Connecticut and New York. Like A Walk in the Woods, this movie also has a multi-generational appeal with humor, heart, and personal discovery.

The story follows a recently-divorced school teacher who is seeking a reset on life. Each hiker is there for their own reasons, seeking meaning and escape. Along the way, there are both laugh-out-loud and poignant moments. The movie has a great soundtrack including The Cure and The Mostar Diving Club.

Once again, the journey matters more than the destination. And in this case, it’s the unlikely group of fellow travelers that makes it memorable. Had this group connected 30 years ago while taking such a trip, maybe they would have become pen pals, but unlikely. Today, social media helps us keep those brief but important connections alive long after the hike ends.