People often ask me why I do what I do. There are many reasons for that. I’ll touch on a few of them here.

For starters, I have the kind of body which thrives with physical exercise. Having exercise induced endorphins pump through my brain every day helps me feel better, and the constant walking keeps my aging body in shape.

I don’t think there are many who wouldn’t understand my love of being surrounded by nature in all forms, whether it’s the swamps of Florida, the deserts of Arizona and New Mexico, the green tunnels of the East Coast, or the mountains of Colorado, California, Oregon, Washington, Montana, Wyoming, Vermont, North Carolina and New Hampshire. Wildflowers, waterfalls, lakes, geological formations and numerous wild creatures from insects to moose and bear all bring me joy on the trail.

I won’t say life on the trail is always easy, but there is a constant simplicity to it that I find easier to endure then what I have to deal with when I’m off trail. On trail, my life consists of waking up, eating, packing my pack in the same way I’ve packed it for many days before, and then, after a bit of groaning to get my aged body off the ground and moving, I step into the day. Daily tasks involve putting one foot in front of the other, finding water, a place to poop and a place to settle for the night. Then I do things in reverse of what I did in the morning, setting up my tent, getting and filtering water, cooking dinner, laying out my bedding, packing away my food for the night and groaning with relief as I settle into a well earned sleep.

I love the way the trail makes simple pleasures seem enormous. Laying down at night and eating take on a pleasure that’s hard to replicate when I live in a house. It’s impossible for me not to appreciate an easy section of trail, good water, moderate temperatures and a nice place to camp.

I don’t know if you can truly appreciate being able to wash your body until you’ve been unable to do so for extended periods of time during which you were constantly sweating in the same clothes, immersed in fine dust mixed with ground up cow pies, as I was on the Arizona and Continental Divide trails. I learned to appreciate warmth and hot water in a new way after being out in some seriously low temperatures when I thru hiked the Appalachian Trail in winter. Now, every single time I get in the shower, I express thanks for the luxury. And after spending time in numerous deserts, when I had so little water to drink that I swallowed any water I brushed my teeth with and contemplated drinking my pee, I will never again take drinking water for granted.

My friend Debbie reminded me the trail is a great equalizer. It doesn’t matter if you are a doctor, rock star, farmer, day laborer or unemployed. Nor does it matter if you’re young or old. Everyone has the same tasks out here, and unlike in a lot of day-to-day life now, most all of these tasks are directly connected to survival. We all need to find water, eat, keep our body temperature regulated, poop and sleep. And while some hikers stay cleaner than others, out here everyone stinks.

Many societal norms and expectations are stripped away out here. Sometimes little competitions arise between hikers trying to be the fastest or most popular on social media, but for the most part there is an attitude on trail that each one of us must “hike your own hike.”

On long trails, many hikers have the same goal, and all it takes to complete that goal is to continue putting foot one in front of the other. You truly learn that the journey of 2000 miles begins with just one step. You also learn you seldom reach your goal without some pain, but if you “embrace the suck,” you get through it better.

Hiking and adventuring has helped me find my center and not worry about what will happen in the future. It often forces me to stay in the present. When I was devastated after my wasband (ex husband) walked out on me, I found relief on the trails. I had time to cry, but also was forced to stop crying because there was no way I could navigate many sections of trail with tears streaming down my face. I learned I could continue even when it felt harder than I was capable of it. I discovered I could survive amid terrifying storms which caused my hair to stand on end. I found peace when sitting on a rock in the ocean surrounded by the waves of the rising tide.

Adventuring has restored my faith in people, reminding me time and time again there are more kind people in the world then there are people who behave in the cruel way my wasband did. After spending days completely alone on the trail, I appreciate and interact with most every person I meet. Trail Angels who offer me a shower, home cooked meal, place to do laundry and a soft bed truly are angels in my book. Their kindnesses have helped me heal from numerous traumas. I have learned to ask for help when I need it, such as when I was hiking with a broken foot on crutches on the Florida Trail. And I learned I mattered in the world, inspiring other hikers to reach out of their comfort zones and do what was important to them. I’m grateful to all who have read and continue to read my writings on these adventures. You, too, especially those who have left me comments letting me know my words matter, have made a difference in my life. Thank you one and all.

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