Book excerpt: At the age of forty, Isabella Bird pushed all social convention aside, ignored failed remedies of the doctors and embarked on a world voyage in 1873 that changed her forever. A six month detour in the lush Hawaiian Islands gave her new strength and stamina. A tenacious horsewoman she rode with Hawaiian natives up the flank of Kilauea to the fiery home of the Goddess Pele's and into the depths of Waipio Valley where the gods come close. From there, she determined to explore the wonders of Colorado, where she rode 800 miles solo on her mare Birdie. In Estes Park she met an unlikely soulmate in the form of the mercurial character named Rocky Mountain Jim. She prevailed upon him to guide her up Longs Peak. Jim shared with her the majesty of his realm allowing her to know the embrace of the wild. Saddle up with Isabella Bird and set your spirit free.