By Men or By the Earth: A Corporate Lawyer Walks Out on Law, Life, and Love, and Walks Across America With His Adopted Dog

by Tyler Posted on June 17, 2012
By Men or By the Earth.
By Men or By the Earth. Available now.

The story of a corporate law walkout who chucked it all to walk across America with his dog.

  • Available in paperback here.
  • On Kindle here.
  • On iPad here.

Here’s what a few readers have had to say:

“As someone who has walked across the United States myself, I can confirm that what Tyler went through mentally and physically is presented incredibly well in this book. ”

“Tyler Coulson took a job at a big corporate law firm and lost a bit of his soul. Then he quit that job to walk across the country with his dog, Mabel, and lost a bit of his mind. Then he wrote a candid (and amazingly non-self-indulgent) memoir about his journeys and reclaimed a bit of his spirit. I really dug the book and highly recommend it.”

“It could very easily have been an Occupy Wall Street rant against corporate America or a crappy Herman Hesse knock off but instead it looks inward at the possibility that Tyler is sad and angry not because he’s in a soul-crushing profession, but because he’s Tyler. What Tyler finds isn’t happy or zen, but it’s honest…. What makes the book so dang good is that he’s so honest about his delusions and misconceptions about happiness (and the effects of same) unlike so many other people.”

It has a happy ending.

Buy it! Read it! You’ll be happy you did.

 

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Top 5 Overrated (and Overpriced) Pieces of Hiking Gear

by Tyler Posted on April 2, 2013
  1. Hiking boots. Hiking boots are super expensive and are only ever necessary in the most extreme conditions—the coldest, wettest, most unstable hiking with extremely heavy packs.
  2. Camp stoves. High-tech stoves that burn gasoline or other fuels are usually expensive and heavy, and most aren’t very versatile. Alcohol stoves cost about $10 or $15 bucks and will do the job just as well with cheaper, lighter fuel.
  3. Hydration systems. Hydration systems are big money. Water bottles will do the same job a heck of a lot cheaper.
  4. Tent “footprints”. Tent footprints are expensive and almost never necessary. In the few instances where using a footprint is a good idea, a tarp can do the same thing.
  5. Anything GPS. Paper maps are a heck of a lot cheaper and work just as well, so long as you know how to read them. Most cell phones have GPS tracking now, as well, so expensive GPS products are a waste.
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More People Should Walk Across America

by Tyler Posted on March 4, 2013

Cross-country hiking has gotten some attention lately! Like here in the New York Times. And there’s some more coming. So I think it’s a good time to renew my suggestion for a program to encourage cross-country hiking. I call it Wayfare America. The last time I proposed it, the President and the First Lady ignored me totally. I’ll try again.

I believe America needs an established coast-to-coast hiking experience that is accepted, as safe as possible, and independent of commercial concerns. Trails like this exist in Spain, England, Peru, and Japan, to name a few. We cannot afford a long-distance hiking experience  gap.

I think it would be a great thing if 1000 people attempted a thru-hike of the continent every year. For that to happen, there must be an organized program to promote the walk, to make certain limited resources available along the walk, and to provide limited training/preparedness information.

 

What is Wayfare America? Continue reading →

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And Then I Became a Consultant!

by Tyler Posted on March 4, 2013

Did you see this New York Times article? It’s about walking across America, and it mentions me. The article says I’ve been spending my time since the Walk advising people about cross-country hikes. So here’s my new business! I’m sure I’ll make a mint.

* * *

Sun on your shoulders, wind on your face! Sleeping beneath the night sky in Utah. Have you dreamed of walking across America? Of course you have! Now, be honest, what’s keeping you from it? Are you afraid to go it alone, or maybe just don’t want to be alone that long? Are you afraid of the danger of the unknown? Do you wish you had someone to help you?

Wish no more!

I am the nation’s only cross-country hiking guide. I specialize in assisting people plan and execute cross-country hikes. Whether you want to walk from Delaware to California, or from South Carolina to Oregon, or any points in between…I’m here to help.

My goal is to make sure you get the most out of your transcontinental hike.

I offer a great many different packages and am willing to work with your budget. For example:

The Hobo

With the Hobo package, you’ll get two on-site consultations at your home anywhere in the United States. During these consultations, we will discuss your gear, your physical condition, and routing considerations. Package cost:  $5,000.

 

The Hobo Plus

The Hobo Plus is the same as the Hobo, except that I will also teach you how to make my famous trail food recipe, Spamen. Package cost: $18,000.

 

The Vagabond

With the Vagabond Package, you get two on-site consultations prior to your cross-country hike, instructions on making Spamen, and coast-to-coast car support provided by me (subject to terms and conditions). Package cost: $150,000.

 

The VanGuard !

This is our premier package. With the VanGuard, you get four on-site consultations, the Spamen recipe, and I will walk coast-to-coast with you, on foot all the way. Just you and me. Hanging out, walking, seeing things. Some terms and conditions apply. Package cost: $300,000.

 

And now, for a limited time only, we are offering the VanGuard Plus, which is the ultimate in luxury in cross-country walking. With the VanGuard Plus, you get the on-on-site consultations, the Spamen recipe, I will walk with you coast-to-coast, and I will bring Mabel along.  Some terms and conditions apply. Package Cost: $500,000.

We offer group rates and discounts.

 

 

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Come to Sheffield’s on February 6th for Reading Under the Influence

by Tyler Posted on January 20, 2013

I’ll be reading from my new novella, Attorneys After the Crash, on February 6th at Sheffield’s in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood as a part of Reading Under the Influence’s monthly reading series in Chicago. I’ll bring along a few copies of By Men or By the Earth and Attorneys After the Crash, too, in case you were waiting to see me in person to purchase one of these literary masterpieces.

If you’re in Chicago, you should stop by! I’ve attended quite a few times and it’s always a great atmosphere with fun readings from great local writers. There are sometimes drink specials, too, if that’s your thing.

The theme of February’s meet-up is tainted love, so I’m sure folks will read some salacious and wonderful stories. Hope to see you all there!

 

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