To the Woods: Sinking Roots, Living Lightly, and Finding True Home

To the Woods is a tale of adventure, inspiration, and living life in concert with nature. It is the true story of Evelyn Searle Hess, who, in her late fifties, walks away from the world of modern conveniences to build a new life with her husband on twenty acres of wild land in the foothills of Oregon's Coast Range.

To the Woods tracks the natural history of place through the seasons. It describes Hess's day-to-day challenges, from living in a trailer without electricity or indoor plumbing, to excavating a pond, to dealing with health crises. It explores the joys of living simply, building a relationship with the natural world, and awakening to the interconnectedness of all life.

Hess's careful attention to detail, her extensive knowledge of local flora and fauna, and her thoughtful philosophical meditations add richness to her engaging prose. To the Woods will appeal to readers interested in the environment and sustainable living, and to anyone who has ever considered fleeing the city for a life closer to nature.

Praise

"Evelyn Hess's enterprise, it seems to me, is one of Thoreauvian simplicity. She and her husband, at considerable age, with humility and pluck, lived many years in a way that shows us possibilities we haven't imagined for ourselves." — John Daniel, author of The Far Corner and Rogue River Journal

About the Author

Evelyn Searle Hess managed the University of Oregon's greenhouses for ten years. She also taught native-plant gardening classes, established and operated a plant nursery, and served as a gardening consultant. She currently teaches nature writing to middle school students. Since 1992, Evelyn and her husband David have been living on their property in the coast range foothills outside of Eugene, Oregon.

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