LEWISTOWN — For outdoor writer and content creator Tory Mather, the trails of Pennsylvania have never been just scenery. They have been a source of healing, discovery and, eventually, a calling that reshaped her life.

Next month, Mather will bring that passion to Downtown Lewistown as she visits the Crooked Shelf Bookshop, 23 N. Main St., Lewistown, for a book signing during First Friday on June 5, from 5 to 7 p.m.

Mather is the author of “Scenic Natural Wonders of Pennsylvania: Caverns, Overlooks, Falls, and Vistas,” a new 192-page travel guide that highlights 84 natural destinations across the Commonwealth.

The book, published by Reedy Press, takes readers from the powerful rush of Ohiopyle Falls to the quiet forests of Salt Springs State Park, offering a mix of roadside stops, family-friendly walks and more challenging hikes. Several Juniata River Valley locations are included, such as Stone Mountain Hawk Watch and Big Valley Vista.

Her work is rooted in a simple belief: you don’t have to travel far to find something extraordinary outdoors. Through her website, www.mytrailsaremany.com, and her social media platform, @torytalkstrails, Mather has built a following by sharing approachable guides, gear reviews, itineraries and humorous videos that encourage people to explore the natural world around them. Her content is designed to help beginners feel confident on the trail and to show seasoned hikers new corners of the state they may have overlooked.

Mather’s path to becoming an outdoor writer was anything but direct. Before she ever picked up a camera or trail notebook, she was an athlete. She rowed competitively in high school, college and beyond, eventually moving to Philadelphia to train on Boathouse Row. At the time, she balanced a full-time job as an administrative assistant with four hours of training each day. That period, she said, shaped her sense of discipline and time management.

“When I stopped rowing, having lived that way for three years helped me see how much time I had to pursue things outside of my day job,” Mather said during an interview. She later earned her MBA at night and began building her outdoor content business alongside her career as a healthcare strategy consultant.

Her journey into writing began during one of the most difficult chapters of her life. Shortly after moving to Pittsburgh, Mather suffered an injury that left her unable to walk without a cane or crutches. The active lifestyle she relied on to meet people and explore her new city suddenly disappeared.

“I felt isolated and depressed,” she said. Writing became one of the few hobbies she could continue while housebound. As she slowly recovered, she began taking short walks in local parks and sharing those experiences online. What started as a way to cope with injury grew into a community of readers and hikers who connected with her honesty, humor and practical advice.

Three years later, Mather has explored hundreds of trails, waterfalls and scenic overlooks across Pennsylvania. She has led group hikes, volunteered with nonprofits and helped people plan backpacking trips. Her work has been featured in regional and statewide media, including coverage of her recommended sites in Huntingdon County.

Her book is the culmination of years spent documenting the state’s landscapes. “Scenic Natural Wonders of Pennsylvania” is designed to be both a guide and an invitation. It includes well-known destinations like Mount Nittany and Hawk Rock along the Susquehanna River, as well as lesser-known gems such as Dry Run Falls and the Wildflower Reserve at Raccoon Creek. Each entry includes practical details and context that help readers understand not just where to go, but why the place matters.

Mather said her approach to work is shaped by three principles: taking action even when it feels imperfect, maintaining a constant thirst for knowledge and building a supportive community. She encourages others to pursue their goals with the same intensity described in Annie Dillard’s essay “Living Like Weasels,” which urges readers to “grab your one necessity and not let it go.”

She applies that mindset to her own creative process. When she’s cooking dinner or walking her dog, she often listens to podcasts or watches videos that help her learn more about her industry. She protects her weeknight hours for writing and content creation, saying no to obligations that pull her away from her goals.

“I think it’s easy to get distracted with everyday life,” she said. “But I like to think that every hour I am learning, working, networking or otherwise focused on my business will get me closer to my goals.”

She also credits her success to the friendships she has built in the outdoor and content-creation community. Rather than competing for opportunities, she shares advice and resources with others and celebrates their successes as much as her own.

As she looks ahead, Mather said her biggest challenge is staying focused on what matters most. Writing her book required her to turn down paid partnerships and other opportunities, but she said the tradeoff was worth it. Protecting her time, she added, has helped her avoid burnout and stay committed to her long-term goals.

At the Lewistown signing, attendees will have the chance to meet Mather, hear about her travels across Pennsylvania and purchase signed copies of her book. The event is free and open to the public.

For anyone looking to explore the outdoors, Mather hopes her work offers a starting point — and a reminder that adventure is often closer than it seems.