The Space Between Lakes: From Fear To Freedom In The Wild

by Christina Scheuermann, Brian Aspinall (Editor), Andrea Wilson (Foreword)

235 pages, Paperback

Published May 21, 2026

Reviews

[Beckett Nelson]

A great story about overcoming obstacles, taking chances, and pursuing your dreams—even when the path to get there isn’t exactly straightforward.

I especially appreciated that Christina addressed the elephant in the room: how many women are hesitant to venture out into the wilderness alone because, unfortunately, men can be more of a problem than bears. It’s an important reality that often gets overlooked in stories about solo outdoor adventures. For any men reading this, I hope you take note—and just be a better human being.

I also loved that she mentioned her pet beaver, Beavee…I was curious if he’d make an appearance. Totally awesome. 🦫

Thanks, Christina, for all the blogs over the years and for sharing this heartfelt story of how you found your way into the canoeing world. It was wonderful getting to know the person and journey behind the stories.

[Karen Bilger]

From the moment I read the preface, I knew I’d like this book. It was a good reminder there’s other strong, cool women who love the outdoors and face many of the same issues. I’m constantly getting “advised” on all the things that could go wrong out there and how unsafe I’m being (when it’s actually more dangerous driving to work everyday). Even my own father tells me to find a man to take along—like that would make it all better! It’s easy to let all the naysayers into your head, then freak out when you’re all alone somewhere with time to think. This book made me feel good again for having the guts to do what makes ME happy. It was inspirational, motivational, and very real, raw and honest. She didn’t sugarcoat everything. The backwoods is a very tough place to navigate and not for the faint of heart. She admits her struggles, no matter how embarrassing they are—really putting herself out there. And she brings up lots of awkward topics—like being alone with men wandering around. That’s always been my biggest fear. Not the bears, not the weather, it’s the people. I go to great lengths to avoid all human contact because you just never know. And this is sad, because I’m taking away any chance to meet like-minded people out there. Hopefully this will change someday.

The only thing I didn’t like was the structure of the book itself. I wish the publisher put more effort into it. The paragraph spacing is distracting and there’s too much wasted paper. For a 6x9 book, she could’ve crammed a lot more in; she obviously has plenty of worthwhile stories to tell. I would’ve expected it to be a bit more polished with more content for this cost. But overall, it was well worth the read. You deserve a big pat on the back Christina. Thanks for the inspiration.

[Arline Killam]

The Space Between Lakes is a quiet, powerful memoir that celebrates what happens when a woman steps into the backcountry and finally gives herself permission to breathe. Cristina Scheuermann writes with a deep love for nature—its silence, its challenges, its ability to strip you down and rebuild you in ways you didn’t expect. Her journey isn’t just about hiking or exploring remote places; it’s about confronting fear, failure, and the parts of herself she once tried to outrun.

What makes this book shine is Cristina’s honesty. She doesn’t pretend the wilderness magically fixes everything. Instead, she shows how peace and solitude come from perseverance—pushing through the moments that terrify you, embracing the ones that humble you, and learning to trust your own strength. Her voice is warm, grounded, and quietly fierce, and she becomes a natural advocate for women in the outdoors. You can feel her desire to inspire others—especially women—to get outside, explore, and claim space in nature without apology.

It’s an uplifting read that blends vulnerability with resilience, reminding you that freedom often waits on the other side of fear. A beautiful tribute to the healing power of wild places and the courage it takes to walk toward them.