Musings from the Trail: Through the Lens of a Long-Season Ridgerunner on the Appalachian Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Hitch #8 — South Section | April 10–13, 2025 I often share a [...]
My first adult backpacking trip was with a hiking club I discovered in a Creative Loafing magazine classified ad after moving back to my hometown of Atlanta, Georgia, in 1998. Little did I know that joining that [...]
Yes! I take walks on my days off! (Well, at least on gorgeous days like this!) I learned the hard way some time ago that this was a sure-fire remedy for staying flexible, strong, and [...]
The first hitch of the 2025 Smokies Ridgerunner Season was delayed by a day due to a winter storm. I was originally to enter the south section of the AT at Newfound Gap, but [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Walking as a Sacred Practice… The Art of Slowing Down My pace quickens as I make my way to the trailhead. And the very moment I step one foot into the forest… whoosh! I am [...]
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT PAIR OF HIKING SHOES OR BOOTS: “I firmly believe that with the right footwear one can rule the world.” -Bette Midler And Bette is absolutely correct. The foundation and [...]
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 [...]
Do you get attached to your shoes? I know I do… and like most of my other trusted loved-to-death hiking gear, it can be hard to let go of things that accompanied me on so [...]
Walking as a Sacred Path One-Day Wilderness Retreat A full day of Magic in the Wild Wood to renew the Mind, Body, and Spirit Is your soul calling for a profoundly healing and playful experience in a safe and [...]
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, [...]
Cumberland Island, Georgia, is a barrier island off the coast of southern Georgia. It is home to a herd of wild horses, armadillos, bobcats, coyotes, deer, and the most enchanted maritime forest you could ever [...]
Can you tell in your joints when the weather changes? Do you get achy knees or shoulders when storms are approaching? This is due to rapid atmospheric pressure changes, which affect the body’s internal air [...]
A Guide to the wonders of winter walking: Walking in the heart of winter is to experience life in a cycle of quiet slumber. In places with an absence of evergreen trees and plants, [...]
New Year’s Eve, 2022… I have always been a sucker for New Year’s Resolutions. In years past, I would set my sights on a brand-spanking new… ideal me… eager to give up this and [...]
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') [...]
