Sherrilene Classen, PhD
Surrender | Engagement | Presence | Grace | Grit
One day after retiring from a 42-year career as an occupational therapist, scholar, scientist, and academic leader, Sherrilene Classen set out on a five-day solo journey along one of the most rugged and beautiful sections of the Appalachian Trail. What began as a physical challenge became a profound spiritual pilgrimage - one that revealed the power of surrender, the gift of engagement, and the grace that moves with us even in the hardest moments.
Book Signings
November 21, 2026 1:30pm
The Trail Within: Book Reading, Signing & Appalachian Trail Experience
Following the enthusiastic response to Sherrilene Classen's new book, The Trail Within: A Solo Journey on the Appalachian Trail, we're delighted to announce another special book reading and signing event where Sherrilene will sign your copy of The Trail Within!
Join us for an inspiring gathering featuring stories from the trail, personal reflections, and a unique behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to hike the Appalachian Trail.
Sherrilene will present a 45-minute interactive show-and-tell featuring the actual equipment and gear she used on the Appalachian Trail. Discover essential hiking equipment, preparation strategies, and training techniques, followed by an opportunity to ask questions.
Whether you're an experienced hiker, dreaming of your first long-distance adventure, or simply curious about Sherrilene's transformative journey, this event promises something for everyone. We encourage you to order your copy of The Trail Within on Amazon in advance and bring it for signing.
Please park in the Turkey Creek Golf Club parking area at 11400 Turkey Creek Blvd., Alachua, FL 32615, and proceed to the Pool Clubhouse located near the swimming pool. Please note that the event is NOT being held in the Golf Clubhouse.
Beautiful SacredSummit T-shirts and Emanation Cards featuring spiritual insights inspired by Sherrilene's Appalachian Trail journey will also be available for purchase.
Register now and join us for this special event!
Saturday, December 5 | 3:00–5:00 PM
The Trail Within - an Afternoon with Author, Sherrilene Classen
REI | Butler Plaza | Gainesville, FL
3650 SW 32nd Ct, Suite 10
What happens when you leave behind the familiar, shoulder a backpack, and set out alone on the Appalachian Trail?
Join us at REI Gainesville for a special afternoon with Dr. Sherrilene Classen, author of The Trail Within: A Solo Journey on the Appalachian Trail.
Through captivating stories, personal reflections, and lessons learned along the trail, Sherrilene shares how her solo adventure became a journey of self-discovery, resilience, and transformation.
Whether you're an experienced hiker, an aspiring adventurer, or someone who simply enjoys an inspiring story, this is an opportunity to connect with the author and discover the deeper meaning behind her journey.
Meet the Author – Hear firsthand about the challenges, unexpected moments, and discoveries along the Appalachian Trail.
Explore the Gear – Get an up-close look at the backpacking equipment that accompanied Sherrilene on her adventure.
Book Signing and Conversation – Meet Sherrilene, ask questions, and purchase a signed copy of The Trail Within.
Come for the adventure stories. Leave inspired to explore your own trail within.
Register below!
Kabita, Gainesville, FL
Sometimes your instincts tell you to reach out to someone because what they are doing looks adventurous, inspiring, and almost unachievable. That was how I felt about Sherrilene. I hesitated before reaching out, wondering how I would be received and whether I would be met with questions or judgment. Instead, I was welcomed and became part of something much bigger than a trip.
What started as a simple connection turned into an experience filled with moments I will carry with me for life. This book is a reflection of that journey and of the unexpected connections that can become some of life’s defining moments.
This is my personal experience with Sherrilene and this book—the perfect excuse to settle into my swing chair and relive some trail memories.
May, Gainesville, FL
I truly enjoyed reading The Trail Within. Its unique format resonated deeply with me because it felt so much like the way thoughts actually unfold inside my own head—honest, fluid, reflective, and wonderfully spectomagnubulous. I think many readers will see a mirror of themselves in these thoughts and easily connect them to their own everyday experiences. The book is flowing and easy to read, yet full of wisdom that stays with you.
I learned that freedom emerges by leaving something behind, that engagement means showing up with all of yourself, and that control is ultimately an illusion. ‘Preparation is never rewarded with predictability’ was perhaps my favorite line, along with the spot-on definition of grit as taking the next step when you desperately want to stop.
I marked so many passages that I know I’ll return to whenever I need one of those reminders—and perhaps exactly the voice I need to hear in that moment.
Faith R. Amazon Review
I will never walk any part of the Trail, but through the author’s clear, flowing writing style and plentiful photographs, I felt like I was walking with her. Rather than focusing on the enormous physical challenges, though, she instead focuses on opening herself to the unexpected and unscripted experiences that the Trail offered her and how they changed and expanded her thinking about her approach to her own life/trail going forward.
This book is a deeply personal, carefully-considered introspection about life, beauty, wonder, and challenge, presented simply but with great insight. The book is small but had huge impact on me because of the authenticity of the writing and the relatability of the ideas. This is a book I will reference often because there is great and universal wisdom to be found within it.