Summary of Journey On the Crest: Walking 2600 Miles from Mexico to Canada, by Cindy Ross

Embark on a 2600-mile adventure with Cindy Ross in 'Journey On the Crest.' Experience the challenges and beauty of the Pacific Crest Trail!

Ah, "Journey On the Crest: Walking 2600 Miles from Mexico to Canada"! The title alone promises a grand adventure, and boy, does it deliver-if by "deliver" we mean an epic trek filled with more blisters than you can count and enough nature to make even a tree hugger reconsider their life choices.

Cindy Ross, our intrepid heroine, takes us on a journey along the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), a winding path that offers everything from stunning vistas to moments of sheer existential crisis. Spoiler alert: if you thought walking for 2600 miles was just a brisk stroll, think again. This isn't just a hike; it's the ultimate test of endurance, patience, and not losing your mind when your feet beg for mercy.

The book kicks off with Cindy packing her bags with gear that probably weighs more than she does, preparing to brave the wilderness. As she hits the trail, it quickly becomes clear that "no man (or woman) is an island"-especially when that island is actually a series of mountains and canyons. Along the way, she encounters a mix of colorful characters, wildlife that has zero interest in personal space, and the occasional thunderstorm that seems to be the universe's way of reminding her that Mother Nature, much like your in-laws, can be unpredictable.

Throughout her journey, Cindy shares bits of wisdom that only those who've trudged through mud and slept on the cold, hard ground can understand. Yes, we all have our breaking point, and hers may have come at that moment when she considered eating a granola bar for the third time in a week, contemplating if it was really the best she could do.

Spoiler alert again: there are times when she feels like giving up, questioning her sanity and her life choices like all of us do after a long week at work. But just when you think she'll throw in the towel and call it a day (or a month), she finds the strength to keep moving forward. This book is basically the emotional rollercoaster equivalent of tying your shoelaces one more time and powering through.

As she strolls her way from Mexico to Canada, Cindy paints a vivid tapestry of landscapes, ranging from alluring deserts to the majestic, albeit chilly, Cascades. With each step, she contemplates nature, life, and the urge to collapse in a heap wherever she can. The beauty of her narrative is interwoven with moments of humor, frustration, and epiphanies that only long walks can bring-like "maybe I should have taken that cab instead."

To conclude, "Journey On the Crest" is a delightful combination of a travel memoir, personal reflection, and survival guide for anyone brave enough (or foolish enough) to consider walking the PCT. Cindy Ross doesn't just take us along for the hike; she makes us feel every ache, pain, and moment of beauty that the trail throws at her. So if you're ready to rethink your life choices while curled up with a good book, this might just be the adventure you need-preferably without the blisters.

Maddie Page

Classics, bestsellers, and guilty pleasures-none are safe from my sarcastic recaps. I turn heavy reads into lighthearted summaries you can actually enjoy. Warning: may cause random outbursts of laughter while pretending to study literature.