“Walk Ride Paddle: A Life Outside”

by Fran Withrow 06.2024

Walk. Ride. Paddle. Senator Tim Kaine did all these things throughout the state of Virginia from 2019 to 2021 to celebrate turning sixty and being a public servant for twenty-five years. In his endearing book by the same name, Kaine uses this experience to learn more about himself, the state of Virginia, and the people whom he serves. The journal he kept as he hiked, biked, and canoed on weekends and during Senate recesses became this thoughtful book. His writing is full of candor, honesty, and humor, allowing us to see the real Tim Kaine; the man behind the office. (Spoiler alert: he’s a pretty great guy.)

Kaine not only describes his outdoor journey but also reflects on a variety of topics, including the failed presidential campaign he lost with Hillary Clinton, his observations about the Trump presidency, and the importance of connecting with the outdoors and with his fellow Virginians. His willingness to laugh at himself, to admit mistakes, and to rejoice in the privilege of touring the state are heartwarming. One sees Kaine not as an untouchable politician, but as a down-to-earth, likable person who cares deeply for our state and its people.

Kaine’s adventure begins with hiking the Virginia section of the Appalachian Trail. From the first day, Kaine is amusingly frank about his knee and shoulder pain, his struggles with the humid summer heat, and the challenges of hiking in the rain. He muses on the teachings one can glean from walking in the woods: when to go fast and when to go slow, how to deal with difficult emotions, what to do if you see a bear. He wonders how he as a policy-maker can support more racial diversity on the trail, counts his blessings, and receives a really great trail name. Forty-two days later, Kaine is twenty-five pounds lighter, more grateful than ever for the wilderness, and ready for part two.

Biking through Virginia’s beautiful Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway in 2020 goes a lot faster than walking. He shares snippets of the history of Shenandoah National Park and the Appalachian Trail as he rides along, which I much appreciated. Off the trail, it is a time of upheaval with Trump’s impeachment trials and the horror of Covid-19. Kaine himself catches Covid and even today continues to experience Long Covid symptoms.

Finally it is time for paddling. Kaine canoes the entire Virginia section of the James River in 2021. It is another crisis year in our nation’s capitol as he gives us an insider’s view of January 6, when a mob of Trump supporters attempted to overturn the election.

Powering through despite the turmoil in D.C., by October 2021 Kaine completes his “Virginia Triathlon.” He comes away with a deeper appreciation for wilderness areas and renewed energy for his future as a public official. Read this book for its engaging chronicle of Kaine’s journey as well as his thoughtful musings about life, love, and politics, and how getting outside can fill one with joy, wonder, and gratitude. And that’s a pretty sweet deal.