Have you ever experienced a downward spiral in life and
wished that you could just get away from it all, even if only for a few
minutes? That is exactly what Cheryl
Strayed did and her memoir, “Wild: From
Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail,” outlines how she was able to “find”
herself again after hiking from the Mojave Desert through California and Oregon to Washington
State on the Pacific Crest Trail.
Cheryl’s life was in shambles. She was in her mid 20s, had lost her mother
to cancer, destroyed her marriage, started using heroin, had no money, and had
lost contact with her family. Her
lifestyle had always been one that involved taking risks, but none compared to
the risk she took when she hiked 1100 miles on the Pacific Crest Trail, alone!
When I first started reading this book I will admit, I
thought Cheryl was crazy to even attempt this adventure. She had no hiking experience but decided to
embark on this journey after she picked up a book on hiking the Pacific Crest
Trail while standing in a check-out line.
Ironically, she never even read the book before starting the hike. She spoke to a few people at a sporting goods
store, bought some equipment, packed her backpack (which she refers to as
“Monster” because it is way too heavy) and literally headed out for the trail. Physically, she was in no way prepared for
this journey. She talks about losing her
toenails because her boots are too small, her throbbing feet, and the pure
utter exhaustion she felt most evenings.
But, she forged on day by day and eventually grew stronger not only
physically but emotionally as well.
I know there is no way I could do what Cheryl Strayed did,
but I give her credit for being willing to not only tackle this trail alone,
but her own demons as well. Sometimes
from our own darkness emerges something really great and I would recommend that
you travel along side Cheryl to learn more about her journey from being lost to
found in Wild.
Reviewed by: Richelle Schneider, Chicago Southlands Director, LBDC
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