Challenging the Road Ahead

About the Book

Approaching their wedding anniversary, this Dallas couple decided to celebrate in an unusual way.  Starting in their North Dallas suburb, they WALKED 1000 miles in 100 days to the town of Akron, Indiana, where they said their vows on July 4^th, 50 years earlier.

But before making the walk, there were some personal obstacles to overcome.  They were both over 65; he was waging war with a disabling arthritis that had plagued him for nearly 40 years and she worked at a desk most of the time.  Neither was prepared for the walk of a lifetime.  But with faith, friends, and changing some life-habits, they not only challenged the road ahead of them but altered the course of their future.  Along the way, they made some surprising discoveries, met new friends, and found the heart of America’s heartland.  Now, they share some of the adventure, some of the startling truths about health management, and encourage others to Challenge the Road Ahead of them.

About the Author

First time author, Dorothy J. (Koenig) Martin, was born in a small community near Akron, Indiana.  There she spent the first 57 years of her life before moving to Texas.  In 1954, at the age of 16, she married Ronald Martin, who was 17 years old.  Dorothy had continued her education after becoming a high-school drop-out.  She received licenses in cosmetology and real estate and studied accounting to prepare for the bookkeeping and tax needs associated with her husband’s service station business.  However, it was not until she was 58 years old that she made the decision she was not going to complete one more job application, stating that she had not finished high school.  Immediately she fulfilled that promise by going to the library, checking out the GED manual, and after studying the contents, tested for, and successfully passed the exam.

In 2004 Dorothy, with her husband Ron, walked from Dallas, Texas, to Akron, Indiana.  This challenge was made to celebrate their 50^th wedding anniversary after Ron had overcome a disabling bout with arthritis.  To keep friends and relatives abreast of their whereabouts and well-being, a website was created.  It was after the prodding from readers of the “website diary” that Dorothy agreed to write her first book titled Challenging the Road Ahead.

Dorothy is quoted, “If you are harboring a passion inside but feel incapable of completing the task, find someone who knows what you lack and let them help complete your “shortfall” areas; dare to seek and pilot your destiny.”  Dorothy’s recent work as a bookkeeper for a non-profit Christian film review magazine, among other clients, brought her in contact with writers, editors, and fund-raising entrepreneurs who helped shape her dream of sharing her unique vision with others.