Snakeskins and Signposts

Some things I read change my life, in that a phrase comes back to me all the time, about how to live: for example, Walden, thinking about how people have to move their stuff from here to there and back again, and would it be freeing just not to have the stuff? Same with Snakeskins, I love this book from the planning of and packing for the trip on. Because she had to carry her food and everything the entire bicycle trip, "the more I thought of my needs in terms of weight, the less I needed." Her memoir is compelling from the why for the trip, the escape to freedom, to the how, to every delighted detail along the way, the bright bicycle clothing and the green textures in the landscape; the gratitude for serendipity of receiving what one needs just when most direly in want. And the excitement never flags, the tale is a true Odyssey and I couldn't wait to read what's beyond the bend. It is actually red-flagging by comparison my struggling to stay awake every day currently...if she can do this, surely I can (fill in the blank)_______.

A great book, really well written. You could almost feel the wind on your face, the ache in your legs, or the smell of the forest in the magical words of this book.

From the first moment to the last, my heart is with Sher on her journey, given her easy style of sharing her perceptions. She constantly surprises me with a quirky turn of a phrase, laughing at herself, disciplining herself, and describing bluntly and exquisitely her observations of people, her own mindsets, and the attributes of each road, town, campsite diner, tree or rock she visits. The achievement of the journey is personal, yet so worthy of sharing; the story-telling warms my heart like fresh baked bread.

The story of Sher's 2000 mile coastal bike journey in Snakeskins and Signposts is a magnificent inside view of what it is like to really live an adventure. Her emotions are frankly revealed as she describes seemingly,chance encounters with strangers that are profoundly life altering,the grueling sheer-force of will it sometimes takes to achieve a dream, and the beauty of grace when your will and the will of the universe are in perfect time with each other.The humor and candor is laugh out-loud funny.On every page I felt like I was on this journey.
Sher is a gifted musician that touches you with her openness and vulnerability in her music. She creates a magical space for the audience in her performance and as a writer and story-teller, Sher is able to create this space for readers as well. This is an intimate and fascinating book - one of my all-time favorites!

I felt like a good friend of the author's, taken into her confidence, welcomed inside her mind. Her character and philosophy quietly unfolds throughout the story, with the epiphany not happening in a single moment, but rather in the miracle of day to day living. A delightful ride.

A delightful read and great adventure. I so enjoyed this true account. What a wonderful outlook on life and nature Ms Vadinska has to share. And a nice lesson on what one can achieve if one can overcome her fears.

What an amazing and exciting adventure to read about! Sher writes in such a way as to make me feel as though I were riding in her vest pocket or perhaps perched on her shoulder. Her humor shines through and brings the reader on a journey of laughter and intrigue of what may be around the next bend. Her deep reflections about life, hers and in general, brought me to my own meandering thoughts. I highly recommend Snakeskins and Signposts to the adventuring soul!