CHERLY STRAYED

CHERYL STRAYED

By Andy Weddington

Sunday, 22 March 2026

Determination gives you the resolve to keep going in spite of the roadblocks that lay before you. - Denis Waitley

During this morning's stroll, the closing came to me first. 

Alas, it will be last. 

Last year I read two non-fiction books about women who conquered what would seem insurmountable obstacles to realize their goal. 

As the ant, bite-by-bite, consumed the elephant as did these women, step-by-step, despite being well into their 60s. 

In the mid-1950s, Emma Gatewood through-walked the Appalachian Trail. 

Elizabeth Letts, in Grandma Gatewood's Walk, tells Emma's remarkable story. 

No training per se. 

No special clothing nor gear. 

Grandma Gatewood walked. 

And she figured it out on the move. 

Recommend reading. Wonderful story. 

In the mid-1950s, Annie Wilkins rode a horse from Maine to California. 

Ben Montgomery, in The Ride of Her Life, tells Annie's remarkable story. 

No training per se.

No special clothing nor gear. 

Annie, handed a cancer diagnosis and not much time, saddled up and headed west, anyway.

She, too, figured it out on the move. 

Recommend reading. Wonderful story.

Couple days ago I finished the non-fiction story Wild.

Reading somewhat like a journal, Cheryl told her story of conquering a good portion of the Pacific Crest Trail in 1995. 

No training per se.

Whatever special clothing and gear proved not to be. 

She figured it out on the move. 

Forty years between the women's (feet) feats - kindred spirits absolutely. 

Though it's been a long time, I know a bit about long hikes, under load (including components of crew-served weapons), in miserable weather - humid, heat, to bitter cold and snow - with the added variable of time. Shod in (kindly stated) inadequate boots. And, still be capable of fighting. 

All Marine infantrymen do.

The digression for context. I move on.

What these three women lacked in preparation and gear they made up for in determination, in heart - in spades; diamonds of a special club. 

The deck was stacked against each of them. 

They were not to be deterred.

Failure not an option. 

Each overcame hardships, pain, unexpected hurdles, doubts, fears, et al., over thousands of miles.

Cheryl, some 40 years younger than Emma and Annie, enjoyed the advantage of youth's physical strength and vigor. 

Emma and Annie, contrarily, had the upper hand in life experience and mental toughness.

There's all sorts of ways to the objective. 

I concluded Cheryl would have made a good Marine; not infantryman, though. 

As to her surname. 

It's legal; self-selected not given. 

And fitting.

As her tale, pre and trail, is sprinkled with promiscuity. 

With salty language, at times, that made a Marine blush. 

Recommend reading. Wonderful story. 

In closing ...

Age moot, for physical and mental health, walk.  

For 20-30 minutes within 90 minutes of meal. Yes, meal then walk.  

Determination. Discipline. 

In short order benefits undeniable. 

Trust me, a good pair of shoes a must. 

And weather appropriate gear a plus. 

That is, there's not bad weather just inadequate clothing/gear. 

Walk!