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Be Here Now
Years ago I took classes with Ram Das, who wrote the book Be Here Now. I think of the importance of being here now, in this place, as I hike this desert. It would be so easy for me to go to so many other places: the nasty, unwanted divorce waiting for me when I
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Time to Take My Own Advice
When I did my first long thru-hike in the 1970s it was all about the miles and the end goal. I sometimes skipped great views if I had to walk an extra mile to get to it. I was fixated on completing my goal. Luckily, it did not take me too long to realize that
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Trail Angels
By Mary Anderson Sometimes it’s my friends back home that keep me going. Other times it’s the people on the trail. On this day it was the Prairie Dwellers. My knee had been hurting for a few days and I was beginning to feel discouraged. I reached a high point and stopped for a late
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Making My Own Way
By Mary Anderson Unlike many well-marked eastern trails, the Continental Divide Trail is like a make-your-own adventure. I doubt there are two groups of people who have ever done it exactly the same way. I don’t know anyone who has not been off trail at least once. Many of us are off trail more than
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Lost
By Mary Anderson Almost every day while hiking the CDT I am off trail. Sometimes I am only a little off. Other times I feel really lost. Most times I cut cross country to make my way back to the “trail,” such as it is. I always feel a sense of accomplishment when I find
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On Aging, Injuries, and Gratitude
By Mary Anderson Among the backpacking resources I am really blessed to have are those of time and a healthy, albeit aging, body. Due to numerous injuries, I have spent time in a wheelchair and have had to learn to walk all over again three times in my life. But unlike many people who use
The Mary Badass
A Ruminating Blog About Personal Healing, Adventure and Day to Day Life
The Mary Badass 