I have great news! I loved being an Appalachian Trail Ridgerunner in the Smokies SO MUCH I’ve decide to be the long-season Ridgerunner again for the 2025 season! As a Ridgerunner in the Great Smoky [...]
The place I moved from last June, was affectionately known as “The Magic Box,” as it was literally a giant metal rectangular building with a huge roll top door. It was a lovely and [...]
This is a daily journal of some of my thoughts during the first ten days of Hurricane Helene. You are reading this after the rain has long since ended and the lights finally came [...]
This past week’s hitch was different from my regular 4-day adventures on the Appalachian Trail, in that the first two days were dedicated to cleaning out a remote backcountry privy (an outhouse). This endeavor coincided [...]
WHAT DOES BEING “BEAR AWARE” MEAN? It’s that time of year again! Here in the Appalachian Mountains, the wildflowers are blossoming, the baren branches are finally leafing out, and everything has that exquisite, fresh [...]
CONCERNED ABOUT NOROVIRUS ON TRAIL? WASH YOUR HANDS! I am not going to lie… We hikers are typically dirty, smelly, and gross out on the trail. Maintaining hygiene on the trail is challenging at the [...]
I frequently get asked, “What does an Appalachian Trail Ridgerunner do?”  While there is an official list of “essential duties and responsibilities” (attached below), I trust that my presence on the trail is primarily [...]
One beautiful winter’s day in 2010, I was day-hiking with a dear friend just a few weeks before leaving for my thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail. Her former career had been as a successful surgeon [...]
After a long day hiking in the rain, I passed the side trail to “Charlies Bunion,” a scenic rocky overlook that attracts many view-seeking hikers. Typically, many day-hikers are headed up to this iconic and [...]
I had the pleasure of sharing a wild Smokies Appalachian Trail adventure with the ATC’s newest ridgerunner, Andy… His excellent trail-maintaining skills were continually being put to the test. He’s going to make a great [...]
I frequently ask my guides and guardian angels to keep me safe and protected. This ritual has helped me create more personal trust and less in fear. The intense weather I have experienced in the [...]
On my last backpacking trip just before I left for Nepal last October, ironically in the Smokies, I had a critical equipment malfunction… the dreaded fatal-boot-blow-out. Thankfully, it was toward the end of the trip, [...]
I have to be honest. My first two “hitches” (each 4-day stretch on the trail is called a hitch) have been relatively intense. I knew the weather could potentially be brutal in the Smokies… [...]
When was the last time you made an enormous, unplanned decision that altered every facet of your daily life??? Embarking on a journey of personal growth often requires us to summon vast amounts of courage [...]
Are you familiar with the poem, The Road Not Taken, by Robert Frost? This enchanting poem has always spoken to me. It stirs something within that cannot be put into simple words… At least none [...]
I walk by these trees frequently and always find myself confused at the thought of someone… anyone… ALL of these people... doing this. It breaks my heart because this tree will most likely not live [...]
GOT STRESS? WALK IT OFF! Amidst the common stress and overwhelming pressure that define our nonstop busy lives, many struggle to find the balance within. The accumulation of worry, anxiety, and mental clutter can weigh [...]
Walking in the depths of winter is to experience life in a cycle of quiet, peaceful slumber. The gilded glow of the winter sun streams dimly through windswept trees. The air is crisp and still… As we [...]
Hey friends, I have big news!! I have officially accepted an Appalachian Trail Ridgerunner position in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park for the 2024 season! What is a Ridgerunner, you ask? A Ridgerunner works [...]
Martin Luther King Jr.'s compelling dream, eloquently articulated and fueled by a profound commitment to justice, has indeed altered the trajectory of history. His vision, etched in the hearts of millions, was a beacon that [...]
The calendar may have flipped over to January 2024, but I am still savoring the absolute fullness of this past year. I am not quite ready to jump head-first into the newness of all that [...]
Do you feel like you give yourself enough recognition and praise for the things you set out to do and accomplish? I know I don't. And I know I am not alone. This post is [...]
I was honored to have eight incredible women accompany me on the trek of a lifetime in the Annapurna region. Everyone did fantastic and an unforgettable adventure was had by all. We began our journey [...]
The reality didn’t hit me fully until I was brushing my teeth after arriving home in an emergency 4-flight, 38-hour travel marathon. As I washed my face, rinsed my mouth out, and took a sip [...]
Proper etiquette and observing local customs while Trekking in the Enchanted Land of Nepal RESPECT THE LOCAL CULTURE: As in anywhere in the world, it is important to respect the local culture when visiting new [...]
🌑🌟 New Moon in Libra Eclipse Magic! 🌟🌑 [Saturday, October 14th 1:54pm EST] Embrace the Cosmic Dance! As the cosmos prepares to unveil its celestial masterpiece this Saturday, we find ourselves on the cusp of [...]
There is a delight in every step when you walk in autumn's wonder... As the world transitions from the warm embrace of summer to the gentle chill of fall, the beauty that unfolds beneath your [...]
Are you considering hiking a long trail? There are numerous benefits to committing to such an undertaking. Here is an (unedited) section of my soon-to-be-published book about Backpacking as a Sacred Practice that gives a [...]
Why have the woods traditionally been portrayed as a dark and scary place? Timeless fairytales of old often feature the deep, dark forest where who only knows what is lurking around the corner. Throughout history, [...]
Incorporating walking as a daily practice brings boundless benefits, contributing to a happier, healthier, and more balanced life. Whether you are taking a leisurely stroll or a brisk power walk, the simplicity of walking reveals [...]
