“You must do the thing you think you cannot do.” ~ Eleanor Roosevelt
I must go camping. Outdoors. I don’t want to do it but I suspect, deep down, that I cannot. I wonder if I should give it a shot. As I began reading Cheryl Strayed’s “Wild,” I compared her experience level at the beginning of her journey to my own. I thought if she could hike the Pacific Coast Trail from the Mojave Desert to the Bridge of the Gods on the Oregon-Washington border, I could possibly survive a few days out there. Probably.
The memoir is exquisitely written, covering the author's physical and spiritual journey on the Pacific Coast Trail. We're about the same age--she is one year older. Cheryl left her home, her family and her marriage behind in the first week of June, 1995 to head down to Mojave, California and hike back up to the Pacific Northwest.
I was headed there myself that week, albeit in a car. I did not leave my marriage behind--though just two months earlier I'd vowed to let it leave without me. By the time June arrived, I'd decided to go with my husband and we each drove a car over 2,500 miles from New Orleans to Tacoma, taking turns chauffeuring the dog.
In 1995, I remember thinking that I should have already finished a novel--the same thought the author has during her hike.
I could publish a novel. I want to do it but I suspect, deep down, that I cannot. I wonder if I have truly given it a fair shot. I finished reading “Wild.” I compared Cheryl Strayed's writing style to my own and am both inspired and humbled. There is still a chance I could make it as a hiker.
I was headed there myself that week, albeit in a car. I did not leave my marriage behind--though just two months earlier I'd vowed to let it leave without me. By the time June arrived, I'd decided to go with my husband and we each drove a car over 2,500 miles from New Orleans to Tacoma, taking turns chauffeuring the dog.
In 1995, I remember thinking that I should have already finished a novel--the same thought the author has during her hike.
I could publish a novel. I want to do it but I suspect, deep down, that I cannot. I wonder if I have truly given it a fair shot. I finished reading “Wild.” I compared Cheryl Strayed's writing style to my own and am both inspired and humbled. There is still a chance I could make it as a hiker.
8 comments:
I think there's still a chance you'll make it as whatever you choose. Sounds like a good read!
Jen,
Aww, thanks!
It is a beautiful, heartbreaking and inspiring read!
A former roommate of mine knows the author and spread the word about the book when it came out but I just got around to reading it. (In the meantime, Oprah found it, resurrected her book club and Reese Witherspoon has optioned it for a movie!)
She's living the dream!!!
I just downloaded this book as another friend recommended it as good travel reading. Now I'm eager to get started, but I'm going to save it for my trip. As for the novel, let us never give up. Perhaps you and I should chat about a one-to-one, get-er-written club!
Tracy,
I'm in!
But I'll let you enjoy your trip, first! Where are you headed?
Tracy,
Just stopped by your blog and am so excited for you and your daughter!
Have FUN!
(And no worries--I'm sure the election results will be broadcasted across the pond!) ;-)
You can go camping and hiking. I also know you can get a book published. I know several people (myself included of course) who are anxiously awaiting your book. You can do it :)
Do it!! Think how proud you'll be when it's done, when you know you've pushed yourself to accomplish something you couldn't do. Good luck! :-)
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