The Mary Badass

Some people often tell me I’m running away from life by hiking. But I really think that this is about is real as it gets. Every day I walk with no distractions such as TV or computer. I can’t just pick up the phone and call someone, I can’t eat whatever I want to distract…

Finally about three in the morning my headache dissipated. I got a little better sleep after that, but the sun is up here by about six and it’s dark by seven PM so I didn’t sleep for long. I wanted to get an early start to be able to reach the next water camp spot…

I stayed the night of the 20th in a camper with my friend who then dropped me off in Sierra Vista. There I met a trail angel who drove me to the closest place I could access the trail. We couldn’t go to the normal starting place because the road was under construction, so I…

Thanks to Mary Badass I had a new experience today. I had an interaction with someone who had been upset with me. I did my best to explain the meaning of my words and I told them I was open to hearing whatever they wanted to tell me. In fact I welcomed hearing from them…

As promised, here are more of my pre trip ponderings inspired by Vermont’s muddy roads. As I drove home on those potholed filled roads I could not help but think about the importance of a good foundation. Each year when spring arises certain sections of Vermont’s dirt roads become almost impassable. Local road crews come…

Before I left Vermont, mud season had once again turned the dirt roads to a morass of ruts, potholes and sucking mud that could grab and hold a car in place. Add to the top of this a spring snowstorm with a layer of ice underneath and the roads become almost impossible to navigate. These…

It has been a long while since I have posted anything here. During that time I have been on many journeys, both internal and external. Some experiences have been filled with joy. Others have been excruciatingly painful. But all have been a blessing in their own way and have brought me to a place I…

I get asked a lot if I get lonely hiking by myself. The answer is “of course I do.” But the truth is I have felt lonely for most of my life. I was lonely growing up in an abusive family. I was lonely all through school where I was often teased. And I was…

I like it when I know where I am headed in life. Having some idea of how the following day will be structured gives me a sense of security when I go to bed at night. As someone who has spent much of her life self-employed, I like creating some structure for myself to keep…

I have seen a surprising amount of wildlife on the NET in Connecticut. I often see hawks soaring along the cliff edges. Every day I see deer bounding through the woods. Probably as a result of this, I have also seen a few tiny deer ticks crawling up my arm or leg. I hope one…