AT.  It’s TIME

Helo Blog People, Ricky Adams (aka BADWEATHER) here, this is new to me so cut me some slack….Where is that iiiiiiiIIIIII…OH MY GOSH!!! Why Are the letters not in alphabetical order? Geee I wished I’d went to school. I will try my best to keep a journal and BLOG from time to time while my family and I prep and train for a THUR HIKE on the AT. Our hike will start June 1st. 2014 in Maine, we will be Southbounders (SOBO’s) Our home is THE GREAT SMOKIES MOUNTAINS, and our training grounds. Fall is here and hiking season is in full swing! (NOW THAT THE PARK IS BACK OPEN!!!…let’s not go there.) The end of my work day is often spent in the Greenbrier section of the National Park, my wife Debra (aka 4-MILES) joins me often, for a few miles up and a few miles back. This time of year the Smokies are very nice.This past Saturday our sights were set on the BUNION, Charlie’s, then the JUMPOFF. It was GREAT!!! Let the adventure begin!

The bunion.

Yesterday (October 26th 2013) we hiked up to charlies bunion and then trekked to, the jump off. We couldn’t have asked for better weather it was awesome. Jodi surprised us with cupcakes to celebrate Ambers 25th birthday! I don’t know about these guys but this hike with everyone just made me much, much more ready for training, buying more gear, and planning out everything for the biggest journey that can’t come any faster. Luckily we have got a shakedown planned this Tuesday to see what we need and dont need in our packs and how to pack our packs for our comfort and easy access. And many more training days in the mountains. I can’t wait! I encourage everyone to get out in the woods and just take it all in! 

-grizzley

I am so excited.

We are leaving for Floyd Fest in the morning- bright and early. I’m actually in the midst of packing, but had to stop and document this moment of pure exctiement. Festivals are where I feel most at home- so much love, art and people of every kind. My goal is to be completely and utterly committed to the moment. I am always juggling so much mentally and multi tasking usually every second of the day that I don’t get to fully experience a single thing. And that can be a problem sometimes. Things go by without me even feeling them go by because I’m already on to the next thing!

Living in the moment is so blissful, yet often rare in this busy world.

So for the next 4 days I am pledging to live in the moment. I want to take in the smell of the earth and the sound of each instrument and the taste of greasy food truck french fries and the sight of one-of-a-kind pieces of art. I want to wander through the tents and hear people laughing, like really laughing. I want to let the music move me however it wants to. I want to connect with the people I meet and the people I am traveling with. I want to feel so and and so on. This is life. Right now, is what you have. Feel it. Experience it.

Planning on watching these beautiful gypsies at Floyd.

Enjoy, Amber

Starting a business can teach you a lot about yourself and one lesson that I’ve held tightly to lately is: keep looking forward. When I’m in the midst of doubt and uncertainty it’s easy for my vision to become cloudy. That’s when I grab some Ben & Jerry’s, muster up some self confidence and turn my focus to my goal- grow a sustainable business and use it as a vehicle to spread kindness with the world.

This process so far has been mentally, physically and even spiritually demanding. And it’s just the beginning! But hey- so many beautiful things are on the horizon.

living and learning-

Amber