Scraping Heaven : A Family's Journey Along the Continental Divide

by Cindy Ross

Release Date: 14 August, 2002

Edition: Hardcover

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Publisher's Weekly Reviews Scraping Heaven as Outstanding

Helen Keller said,"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all." And it is with this in mind that seasoned trekkers Cindy Ross and Todd Gladfelter set out to hike along the 3,100 mile Continental Divide Trail from Canada to Mexico with their two toddlers, Sierra and Bryce,and a string of llamas. When Ross (A Woman's Journey) and her husband first met, two of the main loves they shared were of hiking and the outdoors. But when their children arrived, they were afraid they would have to wait years to return to the wilderness- until hearing of the docile nature and great versatility of the llamas, inventing more efficient ways to wash diapers on the trail and keeping two toddlers entertained, warm and healthy while trying to stay sane and absorb the vast beauty of the trail that drew them. After 2 months, 500 miles, bags of candy, wet and smelly socks, lightning storms and temper tantrums, what their friends and family thought would end early in disaster was completed with success and the desire to do it all over again. That summer in 1993 ends five years later as the Ross family returns summer after summer to the Continental Divide Trail in their quest to grow closer and be one with nature.
NOT ONLY ARE READERS GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE THE SHEER BEAUTY AND AT TIMES FRIGHTENING DANGERS OF THE TRAIL, BUT THEY ALSO WATCH TWO CHILDREN GROW AND LEARN TO CALL THE TRAIL THEIR HOME. WELL WRITTEN, CAPTIVATING AND INCREDIBLY EDUCATIONAL, THIS ADVENTURE IS A LESSON IN THE SIMPLICITY AND THE BEAUTY OF ACCOMPLISHMENT.

A Vicarious Experience of Life on the Continental Divide

Scraping Heaven is a beautifully written story. Cindy Ross describes the landscapes so vividly, you imagine yourself there. She talks about the family and social dynamics so openly, you feel like you are with them on their journey through the Continental Divide. As in life, it's not all about beautiful views and happy times. She doesn't leave out the hardships of bad weather, failing equipment, and strained family and friend relations. She also shares with you the joys of nature's rewards and the kindness of strangers. You experience life's lessons along with them.

My favorite parts are those involving their son Bryce. I'd often laugh out loud, even days later, just recalling stories of his antics. "It's only recently that Bryce's three year old brain has realized that the Oscar Meyer song he likes to sing is about one of his favorite foods. He is so taken by this discovery that he shouts to every hiker he sees on the widened, graded trail that leads to the parking lot: 'Do you know that an Oscar Meyer wiener is a hot dog?'"

It was thoughtful of her to have an Epilogue, updating you on her and her family's lives, because by the end of the book, you feel like you know them, and so would naturally be interested in how they are doing these days.

I would recommend this book to hikers and non-hikers alike. It keeps you interested and entertained from the inside cover until the last word.