WHO KNEW DOING SIMPLE CHORES BRINGS PEACE OF MIND…?!
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 [...]
HURRICANE HELENE: MY JOURNAL FROM BEING TRAPPED ON A MOUNTAIN
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 [...]
BACKCOUNTRY DUTIES: CLEANING A PRIVY!
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 “BEAR AWARE” MEAN?
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? WASH YOUR HANDS!
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 [...]
WHAT DOES AN APPALACHIAN TRAIL RIDGERUNNER DO?”
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 [...]
SOMETIMES ALL WE NEED IS A LITTLE SUPPORT! 👣
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 [...]
HEADED TO THE BACKCOUNTRY IN COLD CONDITIONS? STAY WARM AND DRY!
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 [...]
ANOTHER AMAZING ADVENTURE ON THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL…
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 AM ALWAYS SAFE AND PROTECTED…
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 [...]
IF YOU WANT SOMETHING, JUST ASK FOR IT!
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, [...]
WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY CAN MAKE!
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 TOOK A HUGE LEAP OF FAITH?
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 [...]
TWO ROADS DIVERGED IN A WOOD…
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 [...]
DID YOU KNOW GRAFFITI HARMS TREES?
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!
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 [...]
STAY SAFE AND WARM WHILE WALKING IN A WINTER WONDERLAND❄️
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 [...]
WHEN THE UNIVERSE DELIVERS PRECISELY WHAT YOU ASKED FOR… YOU SAY YES!
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 [...]
HONORING MARTIN LUTHER KING: MODERN-DAY HERO
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 [...]
HERE IS YOUR POST-HOLIDAY HUMDRUMNESS CURE
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 [...]
2023 WAS A TREMENDOUS YEAR!
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 [...]
ANOTHER AMAZING ADVENTURE IN THE BOOKS… TREKKING IN THE ENCHANTED LAND OF NEPAL 2023!
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 [...]
WHY BECOMING DEATHLY ILL IN INDIA CAN BE A PROFOUND BLESSING… [PART 1]
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 [...]
ARE YOU FANTASIZING ABOUT TREKKING IN NEPAL? HERE ARE SOME TIPS…
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!
🌑🌟 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 [...]
WALKING IN THE WONDER OF AUTUMN…
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 [...]
LONG-DISTANCE HIKING
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 [...]
WHAT’S SO SCARY ABOUT THE WOODS?
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, [...]
10+ REASONS TO FALL IN LOVE WITH WALKING!
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 [...]
HOW TO AVOID GETTING BITTEN BY BITEY THINGS
Besides the nuisance and irritation of itchy insect bites, the biggest concern is the numerous diseases transmitted by mosquito bites, such as malaria, West Nile virus, encephalitis, dengue fever, and many others. Ticks can [...]