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 [...]
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, [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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, [...]
“Fourth of July” holds a sacred significance far beyond its traditional patriotic associations… inviting us to reflect on the values of freedom, independence, and unity at a deeper level. This day serves as a reminder [...]
[Summer Solstice Wednesday, June 21st, 2023 10:57am EST] The Summer Solstice, a moment of profound inspiration and significance, marks the pinnacle of sunlight and the longest day of the year. As the sun reaches its [...]
When the Wild Woman roamed free in the forest without fear… bold and in her power, she was at peace in her mind and with the outer world. Her sacred rituals kept her centered, [...]
Walking as a Sacred Path… Have you heard the phrase “Hike your own hike?” It is one of those phrases that make a lot of sense when you first hear it, and then it becomes [...]
On the trail today, I stumbled across a religious pamphlet tacked to a tree that said, “Don't be left behind.” I had a good laugh because you can never be left behind. Did you know [...]
I held the intention to walk the length of the Foothills Trail, present, and intuitively… choosing a place to camp each night based on how I felt and where I wanted to travel… feeling fully [...]
Have you ever slowly approached another vehicle on an interstate because they were driving slower than you, and when you began to pass them, they sped up? Now, you find yourself going uncomfortably fast to [...]
No matter what type of walk you lace up your shoes and step out the door to take, it is the energy and intention that distinguishes one style from another. What is always the same, [...]
With eight billion people on the planet, it is more important than ever that we stand together to protect our natural resources. We can each play a part in protecting Mother Earth by following a [...]
Do you ever get the “mulligrubs” on the gray, dismal days of late fall and winter? This was a word my grandmother used to say. Even without defining it, I think the word mulligrubs perfectly expresses [...]
(Mount Everest Base Camp Trek: Part III) I set out on a trek to Everest base camp for many reasons. I quickly realized some were less important than I thought, and other intentions became their [...]
(Mount Everest Base Camp Trek: Part II) Things I inadvertently learned while ascending to 17,598' in elevation… Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)   It took nine days to ascend to Mount Everest Base Camp (17,598') [...]
This kind of stuff just doesn't happen to me! I always have snafu-free adventures. I meet interesting people and have nothing but magically synchronistic encounters and experiences when I travel. I have met some of [...]
One of my superpowers is an extraordinary imagination. I can visualize an elaborate project without much effort. What I typically do not see immediately in my creative pursuits is the numerous - and often [...]
I am currently sitting in the very back row of a tiny American Eagle. It is deafening. I can't even hear my own thoughts! My whole body vibrates violently as I view the majestic mountains [...]
Do you carry rain pants in your backpack? I know many people who never carry rain pants, and a genuine “Yay!” for lessening pack weight by several ounces. Me? I never leave home without [...]
I aspire to improve my relationship with technology, release my seemingly innate resistance to it, and stop longing for the days of parchment paper letters written in calligraphy with a fountain pen. Well, maybe not quite, [...]
