Brian McCartney lives and works in Pennsylvania, but his drive between the two takes him through New Jersey. The trip from Mr. McCartney’s home to his automotive repair shop used to be a simple jaunt up Route 611, from one town to another, along the Pennsylvania side of the scenic Delaware River in the Pocono…

For three years, 25-year-old Eddie Janicki had felt content working as a civil engineer on a skyscraper-construction project in downtown Seattle. Then he met with the company’s financial advisor. The advisor told him if he continued down the same path, he could retire around age 60. Eddie thought, “That’s great,” but later remembered that his…

Harvey Sutton, or “Little Man,” as he is known on the Appalachian Trail, won’t have long to bask in the glory of hiking its full length. After all, he starts kindergarten Friday. At 5 years old, Harvey is one of the youngest—and the latest of several youngsters in recent years—to complete the trail, after tagging…