NEW THIS WEEK: LISTEN to Paisley's journey into her biggest fear: the wilderness ...

And after Paisley's trip, meet the only person who's ever doubled for Jackie Chan. Writer and founder of A-Magazine, Jeff Yang, takes us on a doubles ride.

paisley rekdal

Paisley had never lived outside of a major city until she moved to Laramie, Wyoming to teach poetry at the University there. She brought the safety concerns and precautions of a city girl with her but quickly realized they wouldn't help her survive the wilderness that engulfs the town. Enter Mark Jenkins, survival expert, and Rose Marie London, a recent Manhattan transplant to Wyoming who's even more clueless in nature than Paisley and who knows what will happen overnight in the wild?

LISTEN to Paisley's piece about her outdoor adventure or plan your own trip from among the choices below.

Poet Paisley Rekdal has called Wyoming the most heartbreakingly beautiful place she's ever seen. And Paisley has seen a lot of places. Find out more about her world travels and her Laramie adventure. Read from her memoir and from her poetry.

Going into the backcountry with Paisley proved to be a brand new experience for Rose Marie London. It would be her first time in the woods overnight and her first time walking more than 4 miles in a single effort. Most of Rose Marie's adventures have been of the urban kind. Read more about Rose Marie and check out some of her online writing.

Okay, there's the usual: cowboys, horses, pick-up trucks and chewing tobacco. But there's so much more: honky-tonks, hippies, nuclear missiles and miles and miles of wilderness. Check out three takes on this vastly mysterious state.

Take our quiz to find out if you're a backcountry babe or a beginning boy scout. Either way we'll help you get suited up and psyched to hit the trail.

Hmmm, what should I read to prepare for my upcoming wilderness vacation? Professor Paisley has some suggestions.

Read Paisley’s cultural picks on the Web and in the world.

Post your stories about walking in the woods, wilderness adventure, survival scenarios or anything else having to do with this edition of Along For The Ride.

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