Tim Kaine book about nature in Virginia out April 9

Richmonder (and Sen.) Tim Kaine has a book out next week: " Walk, Ride, Paddle: A Life Outside ."

The big picture: It's a celebration of Virginia's natural landscape, a reflection about Kaine's time in public office, plus, due to the timing, a real-time contemplation about the pandemic, politics and racial justice protests.

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Why it matters: The book helps illustrate that " America's Stepdad " will always first and foremost be a Richmonder.

Zoom in: "Walk, Ride, Paddle" centers on a three-party hiking, canoeing and cycling journey Kaine took between 2019 and 2022 in commemoration of his 60th birthday and 25 years in public office, which began in 1994 with his election to Richmond City Council.

• That post would take him to the Richmond mayor's office, Virginia's governor's mansion and ultimately the nation's capital.

By the numbers: In that three-year period, Kaine hiked the 559 miles of the Appalachian Trail.

• Biked 321 miles along the crest of the Blue Ridge parkways.
• And canoed all 348 miles of the James River, from the Allegheny Mountains to its entrance into the Chesapeake Bay.

Our favorite line: "In Richmond, everyone calls me 'Tim,'" he writes of he and his wife's decision to continue to live in their "hometown" of Richmond despite working in D.C. for more than a decade.

Possibly the most famous orange in Virginia history. Image: Courtesy of Sen. Tim Kaine

Karri's favorite part: Kaine — er, Tim — writing that his "Walk, Ride, Paddle" adventures helped condition him to survive a 27-hour drive from Richmond to D.C. on nothing more than a Dr. Pepper and an orange.

Learn more: The Richmonder will be home this weekend for a book launch, signing, and meet and greet with Fountain Books at Quirk Hotel , Sunday at 3pm.

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