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The Purposeful Hiker

I used to be a runner and I had goals to complete 1000 race miles before turning 50. My passion for running started when I was 43, running became my world. After a year of injuries in 2015, I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis my world would change forever. My blog is not to seek sympathy, it's about my new journey to shift my goals and reshape my life. Without having big goals and dreams it's easy to just make excuses. Shift your life, shape your life, and Be_again!

  • About
  • My AT Journal Page
  • I Hike For Mental Health
  • Gear List
  • Places I’ve Hiked
  • Gifts of the Trail…
  • Hiking Books That I’ve Read…
  • 3,521 Miles
  • My Favorite VLOGGERS
  • Contact

Tag: family

Here We Are Again!

After postponing my thru-hike in early March, the starting line and first white blaze is finally coming into sight. Hello, … More

Anxiety, Appalachiantrail, arthritis, AT, Backpacking, Camping, community, family, Health, hikertrash, Hiking, Life, Mental Health, Nature, Outdoors, RA, Retirement, rheumatoid arthritis, support, thruhiking, walking

Here We Go Again!

Shift, Pivot, and Reshape are words that I’ve used before to describe how flexible we must be in this ever-changing … More

Anxiety, Appalachiantrail, AT, Backpacking, Camping, community, family, Health, hikertrash, Hiking, Life, Mental Health, Nature, Outdoors, rheumatoid arthritis, thruhiking

Not Your Typical COVID-19 Response

Let me first, and most importantly, start out by saying, I hope everyone is doing well, staying safe, and being … More

Anxiety, Appalachiantrail, arthritis, Backpacking, community, covid-19, family, Health, Hiking, Life, love, Mental Health, Nature, Outdoors, RA, rheumatoid arthritis, staysafe, support, walking

Hero or a Zero?

Today, as we start another 30 days of social distancing to fight, well you know already, I’ve lost faith in … More

Anxiety, arthritis, Backpacking, Camping, family, Health, Hiking, Life, Mental Health, Nature, Outdoors, RA, Retirement, rheumatoid arthritis, stayhome

To Flip or Flop…?

The world is at war from an enemy that we can not see, an enemy that has no regard for … More

Anxiety, arthritis, Backpacking, Camping, family, Health, Hiking, Life, Mental Health, Nature, Outdoors, RA, rheumatoid arthritis

Fade to Black…

It was like any other weekday morning. I awoke before my 5:20am alarm for work. It’s funny how after working … More

family, Life, Mental Health, Retirement

Finally, I’m Thru-hiking the A.T. this Year!

As the clock counted down to 2020, I was surrounded by family and friends at my daughter’s home in central … More

Anxiety, Appalachiantrail, arthritis, Backpacking, Camping, family, Health, Hiking, Life, meditation, Mental Health, Nature, Outdoors, PSA, RA, rheumatoid arthritis

That’s a lot of Maybes…

By definition, a sabbatical is a period of time away from work which is agreed upon with your employer. The … More

Anxiety, Backpacking, Camping, family, Health, Hiking, Life, Mental Health, Nature, Outdoors, rheumatoid arthritis

Close Your Eyes, Breathe In…Exhale Slowly!

Here I sit on the same couch that I’ve written so many blog posts, as I dream of a simpler … More

Anxiety, arthritis, Backpacking, family, Health, Hiking, Life, meditation, Mental Health, Nature, Outdoors, RA, rheumatoid arthritis

The Father’s Day Trail…

On Father’s Day for this Dad, who’s now in transition to becoming an empty nester, I’ve been thinking a lot … More

Anxiety, arthritis, Backpacking, Camping, dad, family, Father's day, Health, Hiking, Life, meditation, Mental Health, Nature, Outdoors, PSA, RA, rheumatoid arthritis
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I wonder if these white blazes meet up with the AT...Follow your everything! #beagain
Coffee in the moring was a must for when I was on the AT last year...Surely knows...So, just doing some additional pre-trail conditioning...47 days to go! #nobospringermtn
Bam...it hits you right in the face and then in the ❤. For those on/off the AT one word Stanimals-Waynesboro you know what I'm talking about. Six-pack cheers to you and cheers to Rumble. Looking forward to getting back on trail in May and making more memories!
Despite my RA setback and recovery, I still managed to get into the best shape of my life over the past year. #lost30. Training for my attempted AT thru-hike last year kicked it up a notch. I'm getting ready for my AT section hike in May, updated to two weeks on trail now more to come on that. It's been a long time since I've ran in a running race. On June 26, that's going to change. Never quit, never stop...Be_again! #thepuposefulhiker #be_again
What's this? You can read about it in my new blog post. "This is Getting Good".
No new guide book required, the AT is calling. Ever since I left the trail last year it's grip on my soul has never subsided. Back I must go and this time with Surely...Nobo section 1 is planned, 61.3 miles and "Yes" it includes the approach trail. So freaking excited!
One of the toughest and most rewarding days in a while. Ok, like in the last 3 weeks. Today, I climb the tallest mountain East of the Mississippi, Mt. Mitchell @ 6684 ft. 6 miles up with over 4000 ft. of elevation gained on quite possibly the toughest treadway I've ever hiked on. The Mount Mitchell Summit Trail kick my ass up and then did it again on the decent for a 12 mile day.
Just chasing a few more water falls that's all, nothing to see but amazing stuff.
Guess who I met tonight in person? One of the most inspiring women of the AT for our time...If you want your daughters to be inspired by nature, and a true sucess story of determination and drive, read her books. Jennifer Pharr-Davis is a 3 time AT thru-hiker, and once holder of, not just the womens, but also the mens, FKT(AT fastest known time). She was so awesome and genuine to talk with...No pictures, I felt weird asking, but we were blown away by her humbleness and her focus on family and love for hiking and nature.
It's not the things in life that I chase. I choose to chase the experiences.
After a lot of rest, I want more...Since, I'm now an AT section hiker it's time to chase prizes again. I'll fill in the gaps as life hikes on. Heading south for some day hiking with family and then for another go on the AT. GSMNP AT thru-hike 2020 and this time it's smiles before miles...
These 3 guys 6-pack, Fathom, and Sky...Forever Tramily! Until we meet again...Thank you for an unbelievable experience.

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Navigation

  • About
  • My AT Journal Page
  • I Hike For Mental Health
  • Gear List
  • Places I’ve Hiked
  • Gifts of the Trail…
  • Hiking Books That I’ve Read…
  • 3,521 Miles
  • My Favorite VLOGGERS
  • Contact
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