It’s hard to believe it was almost seven years to the day that I embarked upon my first long distance hike on the Pacific Crest Trail with my best friend, partner and inspiration. It is solidified as a journey in our lives that ultimately led us to a complete change in lifestyle and perspective. The 1,000 miles that we hiked through superblooms and snow in Southern California remain one of the best memories of my life, second to mine and Rob’s Wedding Weekend.

Since our return from the Philippines at the start of Covid, we haven’t written on this blog, but we have been busy! The winter of Covid found us running a boutique bed and breakfast where Rob was able to showcase his love of being a Private Chef and I was able to teach my first yoga classes. We lived in upstate New York, at 10,000ft in Colorado and Santa Fe. Last year I hiked nearly 200 miles of The Long Trail in Vermont(the ORIGINAL long distance trail) as well as taking girlfriends out for their first backpacking expedition in Hunter, NY. My love for long distance hiking and getting absorbed in nature, the wind and the fragrance of the outdoors has not dissipated. I have deeply longed to long distance hike more ever since our first 50 miles on the PCT! Fast forward to 2024 and WA-LA, the Arizona trail lies before me with 800 miles of High Desert, mountain peaks, the Grand Canyon and many Gateway Communities. Starting again at the Mexican Border and heading straight up to Utah. Now, to be honest, I have only mentally prepared for the first 262 miles to Kearny, Arizona, but the more I chat with all the thru-hikers on trail that are attempting to complete the trail, the more I want to go all the way! I want to get out into desert and see the summer blooms, feel the cool Spring air on my face, hear the crunch of gravel and dirt under my feet and tips of my poles while being soothed and warmed by the sun. My ever encouraging hubby told me he thought “it would be really cool if I finished the entire thing.” Not out of the question, but leaving it open.

It’s funny the kind of responses you get when you mention to people that you are about to go on a long distance hike. The blank stare, the “Are you kidding?”, always those who say you shouldn’t go alone because you are a woman (and they are ALWAYS men saying it! Insert eyeball and heavy sigh), the people who GET it and encourage you, and those who can’t relate but love you and encourage you because they KNOW you. And all of the unsolicited opinions along the way. I’d be remiss if I didn’t share my favorite comments: those that you get from locals in the communities surrounding the trail itself. The excitement they feel when you tell them you have been inspired to hike through their backyards and rely on the kindness of strangers in their communities. It brings a sparkle to their eyes and buds a welcome conversation about how beautiful and special the area they have chosen to make their home is. Whatever the response, it doesn’t really matter cause “I am the sky and everything else is just the weather” (Pema Chodron). I’m not operating in a space where other peoples often strange opinions impact my choices. I am doing what I love, what brings me joy and doesn’t hurt a soul. And according to Henry Thurman, I’m right on track! “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” I am enjoying the beautiful world we live in before the temperature changes are too drastic and the environment too harmed to see the same beauty as exists now – waiting for me. Beckoning me. My body is still giving me the strength to get out there at the age of 40 and I am going to take advantage of seeing those sunrises and sunsets across the skyline while I can.

Let’s fast forward – I am sitting in Patagonia and have completed the first 52.4 miles of the trail. It kicked my butt a bit. It’s so freaking beautiful out here that even when I was frustrated or DEAD tired I looked up and there was a beautiful manzanita bush, Bluebird or striking sunset to beckon me back to the reason I am here in the first place. To surrender to nature and spirit and be guided through this desert. I’m definitely out here working through some things, as many people will do. I’m in the introspective part of my life where I’m doing a lot of Self Work in an effort to break patterns, mature and bring a more refined version of myself into this new decade. I have worked a lot over the last seven years to strip away the mind and ego and lead with the heart. It’s a challenge every day that I try to rise to, sometimes more successfully than others. I always feel that nature is my sanctuary and being outdoors grounds me to my true nature…and so I go…hiking to deeper levels of Heart Awareness.

Daddie Gizmo, AKA the love of my life, dropped me off at the trailhead Sunday morning with a kiss on the head and lots of well wishes as I began to hike from the border of Mexico north towards Utah on the Arizona Trail. The first day was a huge elevation gain to Miller Peak. We have been in Southern California the last 4 months and I neglected to take into account the altitude adjustment. Hiking to nearly 9,000 ft the first day really took it out of me. That combined with fierce winds and exposed trail in the desert sun had me stopping almost every mile. I thought I may go 13 miles the first day, but that was a pipe dream that was laid to rest the same time I laid my head down in my tent at 8.8 miles in.

I spent 4.5 days hiking north, fully adjusting to the altitude and getting ny legs underneath me. Wandering between different landscapes from snow covered Miller Peak to the desert floor, up and down the cactus and yucca covered Canelo Hills until reaching Patagonia at mile 51.4. A small town of approximately 900 people, Patagonia is a Gateway Community for resupply. Before taking off from the Southern Terminus, Rob and I dropped off three resupply packages for myself at various points along the trail. The first was with a Trail Angel here in Patagonia with whom I have shared such a special time since arriving. Within moments of her sweeping me off the highway where it intersects the trail, I felt that I was speaking to an older version of myself. The connection was there and over a 24 hour period we shared many meals and meaningful conversation. Patagonia and this trail has already given me a new friend for life. You know who you are :).

I am running into more and more hikers while being in town. I will be seeing plenty of familiar faces, whose trail names I’ll have to remember when I get back on tomorrow morning. Taking one more day off to relax. Tonight I’m joining fellow hikers for dinner, whom I just met today. The community is strong and thriving out here. It’s one of the best parts of the trail – the circle of people both on and off the trail that leave lasting impressions, friendships and memories. It’s the people, scenery and connection to my body that does it for me with long distance hiking. And I’m just getting started!