While the "plot" and colorful cast of Greek monks seem like they came from a movie script, this is very much a true story! As the Los Angeles Times hiking columnist, John McKinney had a professional purpose for his trip: to hike around the Holy Mountain and write about Mt. Athos as a hiking destination, a spiritual adventure for outdoor enthusiasts. What he encountered there instead was an epiphany that changed his life and wise Greek monks who taught him that on this amazing path we call life, we're often compelled to change direction.His friend Spiro joined him on the journey and they were truly the hiking odd couple. Spiro was a tenderfoot, John an expert hiker. Spiro was a devout Greek Orthodox Christian and fluent in Greek, whereas John's faith was shaky and his Greek was terrible. Spiro believed in the wonder-working powers of the saints and icons, while John was a skeptic who doubted all miracles.By turns glorious and hilarious, "Hiking the Holy Mountain" narrates John's progress and setbacks on the trail and within himself, and a series of miraculous events that led to the adoption of his son. "Hiking the Holy Mountain is a powerful one-of-a-kind story of saints and icons, ancient traditions and modern-day faith and family.