Includes bibliographic references.

They didn't know it, but Patti Miller and her brother, Barney, shared something in common -- a passion for the illuminating joy of wild nature -- with all its challenges and dangers.In this extraordinary and unexpected book, Patti tells the story of her own long-distance walking over hundreds of kilometres in Europe and of her brother's obsession with paragliding.During their shared childhood on a farm these siblings were virtual strangers under the same roof. As adults, a tragic accident changes their relationship. One day, Barney's wing collapses and he plummets to earth, breaking his spine.