Hi dear ones, 

I'm popping out of my cave to say "hello" and that I hope you are doing well! Although I am in hermit mode, I am still thinking about you and praying for you, my golden threads! 

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There is a New Moon approaching, along with a Solar Eclipse AND Winter Solstice is right around the corner! Phew, who has time to think about Christmas when so much is happening with the current astrology. Ha, Ha. Just kidding. I'm kind of a Christmas nerd. There is always time for Christmas in my house. We put our tree up a few nights ago. All of the bottom ornaments keep disappearing, because River thinks it's hilarious to take them off just so he can watch me put them back on. I thought my days of half decorated trees were over when our cat, Happy, grew out of  his kitten phase . . . Oh, well. . . 'tis the season.

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I made this little video last night due to a spontaneous burst of energy that I'm guessing was generated from the same hormones that have me running around organizing every little nook- the "nesting" is real! Anyway, it's just a short little update from my cave, as well as, a loving, invitation for you to go inward, too. <3

I mean we live in such a pressure-filled, production-focused world. We gotta take time to slow down and rest. Ya'll, these cave days have been EVERYTHING. I feel grounded, less anxious, well-rested and super focused. But I know what you are thinking. When is there ever a time to slow down?? And rest? Ha! What is that? I know. I know. The guilt for going against the collective norm is REAL. It doesn't seem possible. UNTIL, you figure out how to just freaking do it. Even in a small way such as breaking away from Social Media or un-consuming from all the spam in your inbox. Or how about saying "no" to some social obligations. (which honestly should be pretty easy right now) If this pandemic has gifted us with anything good, it's the fact that we have an excuse to sloooooooow down. To stop doing so much. Stop trying to be in a thousand different places. Stop trying to accomplish fifty things before the next week. 

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Let's take a cue from Nature, and get cozy in our dens. Slow down, sleep longer and tune in. As in: TUNE INWARDS. Take time for yourself to listen to your own thoughts and feelings and adjust your life accordingly. This is our time. As women, it's time for us to separate from value systems that aren't serving us. It's time to honor our own feelings and to find home within our own true Self. Please, I urge you to take this time to re-connect with yourSelf. Turn the dial down on the outside world. Get into your body. Root into your own Spirit. Dive into the beautiful, intuitive Self that is waiting for you. Cry the tears. Feel the sadness. Let the Anger transmute into Passion. All of those feelings that we bottle up and push down so well . . . FEEL them. They are our greatest gift. They are our guide.

More on: Cave Days

Cave Days are not just about disconnecting. They are about re-focusing. They are about re-connecting with ourselves. It can be as simple as a mental shift. What is truly necessary in your life? Cave Days are about living simply and living wholly. Stripping away everything that you don't need and re-focusing on things that nourish you. Like good sleep, clean foods, warm baths and family dinners. Cave Days can break habitual patterns like always checking your phone in bed or reaching for more sugar to sooth your stress or always over committing yourself from having weak boundaries. 

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The still, cold, quiet winter season affords us the space to get clear about the next chapter of our lives. As long as we cut out the noise, rest, reset and listen with our hearts open. We are who we've been waiting for. Here's to retreating to our personal caves, whatever that may look like and getting clear on what needs to shift and change in our lives. Here's to being strong women who intentionally choose to live mindful and passionate lives! Here's to showing up with a full glass. Here's to living into our fullness and to being ALIVE and well. 

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I love each and every one of you. As I get closer and closer to bringing my daughter into the world, I can't help but get all teary eyed about the simple fact of what it is like being a woman in today's world. It's a lot. But I have so much hope for her generation. Well . . . and ours! We have come so far and I am grateful to be on the journey with you. 

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As always, thanks for walking with me. 

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Love, Amber

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PS: I'd love to hear from you! Let me know what's up in your life. Are you in a cave? Have you put up a tree? Are you feeling Christmas anxiety? What's up?

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Feeling alive, feeling new-
Fresh, like the kiss of morning dew.
Is this what it’s like to really be true?
I asked the Dogwoods,
“How can I always feel like the real me?” Singing in harmony, they have replied:
“You can choose what you want to see.
You can choose who you want to be.

This is your power.
This is the key.

You can see the burning tower.
Or you can see the blooming flower.
Thinking, feeling and dreaming are all good.
But this is only a fraction
of the way to true becoming.
The rest is about taking action.

Watch as we stand in our glory.
We will teach you how to share your story. “

#hershelterpoetry #treetalks#poetsofinstagram

My insides must look something like this. A playground with wild plants and helping spirits. 💛

When I took on the name "Dandelion" during my journey on the Appalachian Trail, I had no idea how much it would honor and reflect my soul personality.

<<<>>>Wild, Full of Wonder, Nostalgic, a friend of the wind, a symbol of Determination and Hope. <<<>>>

I've learned that Dandelions are one of the Great Creator's way of guiding us back to a place of faith. When I think about how the seeds of one plant can scatter and produce new life, peace washes over me. If little me was created with sooooo many big ideas and fascinations, it must be for a reason. I just have have to wait on the wind to guide them. Thanks to Dandelion for keeping my spirits high and for our most recent encounters on Mount Pisgah. So much yellow, happy, sunny solar plexus vibes, y'all!!! Thanks @kontomble_medicine for sharing this image.

I have many favorite moments from my time on the Appalachian Trail. However, this is the one that I daydream about most. It was around 4:30am in the Maine wilderness. I was hiking alone, still waking up, when this sunrise stopped me in my tracks. For a moment I swear I could feel everything more intensely. As if my feet grew roots and wrapped me around the boulder that was beneath me. I was captivated by the birds, the sway of the top of the trees, the wind, the warmth, the energy that was present. Everything was glowing and I was the only one around to experience it. "This is Trail Magic," I remember thinking. "This is supernatural. This is what inspires great art. This is a gift. This is the work of my creator. This is exactly what people are missing." I carried that very still, quiet moment with me all day. And now whenever I need peace, I journey back to this time of wild, magical connectedness. Mmmmmm. Such. Good. Medicine. 🌿🐦��🐿🌞#thewandertrees

Tomorrow will mark 3 months on the trail. Some days it feels like we were climbing Katahdin just yesterday and other days it feels like so long ago. 

The Mid-Atlantic section of the trail has been a huge mental challenge. Honestly, that's a big reason why I haven't posted lately. The trail has drained me mentally. Everyday has been a battle to keep going. I'm constantly reminding myself why I am out here and trying my best not to take this journey for granted.

I hit my lowest point a week ago in New Jersey. Springer Mountain seemed farther away than ever. I was tired, dirty and hungry. I didn't want to walk any further and I certainly didn't want to sleep in the woods since we had a bear encounter the night before. Why didn't anyone warn me about how much the trail can suck sometimes?! Like really really suck ... for days. The pain, fatigue, monotony, mosquitos, boulder fields, body odor and lack of water had the best of me. I knew that this journey would not be a walk in the park; however, I did not know that there would be weeks of misery. 

I like to believe I'm generally a strong minded person. I find the positives in circumstances easily, but I couldn't find any positives during my break down in New Jersey. "Maybe you are not as strong as you think you are", I thought to myself. 

I miss my friends, family and cats; I miss good smelling shampoo; I miss cooking in a kitchen; I miss being able to walk in the mornings without limping! I found myself questioning why I was putting myself through this torture. So . . . I did what any 25 year old would do: called my mom sobbing. She instantly went into mom mode to help me regain my emotional strength and reminded me that I was living my dream and that "I can do this." Yet, every fiber in my body was saying "just go home to your warm bed and cuddly kitties." The one thing standing between hiking and quitting was my pride softly saying "no way, you aren't giving up now." I sat hopelessly quiet for a long time not knowing what to do. Looooong story short:

FireSquirrel and I ended what we now call "the worst day yet" in a semi-clean, overpriced hotel room . . . safe from bears. We then decided to take a few days off the trail to try to shake my funk. 

(8 Days Later . . . yes, 8 days.)

After a few days of rest, milkshakes and soul searching I found my internal strength.

I'm feeling much better- taking it day by day. Although, Pennsylvania hasn't helped the situation. I never thought I would hate rocks so much. They slow you down and you can't enjoy the trail because you have to look at your feet the whole time. Reading the trail registers make me feel better because it seems like everyone is feeling the same. We all curse the rocks! One hiker hated PA so much that she decided to do a flip-flop, meaning she skipped to GA and is hiking back to PA, leaving it for last.

---- Voluntary Discomfort ----

For all of you who think we are walking through fields of daisies and waking up to colorful sunsets everyday ... well ... now you know that is most certainly not the case. We are usually walking through clouds of mosquitos or boulder fields and waking up to nothing but the stench of our sweaty clothes. 

However, (and that is a big HOWEVER) despite our recent struggles, we are still happy and grateful to be out here.

It's true that the bad days just make the good ones even better. I appreciate sunny days, cool breezes, shelter, clean springs and flat ground more than I ever thought possible.  Even though the trail has pushed us to our limits it continues to reward us with jaw-dropping views, memorable critter encounters, interesting trail towns and kind strangers. Oh, and don't get me wrong, we are blessed with days where we do walk through fields of flowers and wake up to beautiful painted skies. 

My Prayer

One thing I wanted to achieve during my thru-hike was to become a stronger spiritual person. NO DOUBT that has happened. I tend to be a pretty private person when it comes to spiritual beliefs. Though, one thing I am not shy about sharing is that there most definitely is a creative most magnificent God that has helped me overcome the toughest obstacles.  My prayer last week is that he/she would simply help me fall back in love with the woods. (sounds strange) Yeah, how does a hiker not like the woods? Well it happened. I was mad at myself for not enjoying nature like I did at the beginning of my thru-hike. I prayed and prayed for my burning desire to be outside to come back. I can happily say- it did. God has helped me see things through new eyes. He/she has walked with me over the PA rocks and protected my weak ankles during each clumsy fall; calmed me during the nights when I've been afraid; and even kept me company during the times I hike alone to ensure I keep a positive attitude. Yeah, it's safe to say that I'm gettin' down right spiritual. 

MidAtlantic Recap to come!

A lot has happened since the last time I've posted. I feel like some stories are worthy of sharing so I'm going to get to work on a Mid-Atlantic recap! It will probably take up my whole zero day but that's ok because it's YOU who helps us keep on going! 

Thanks for all the support and love. BIG thanks to my sweet friends Rob and Nicole Anderson for our thoughtful care package. The bug spray came in super handy! Also, thanks to the most loving and supportive parents- mom, Tanja and John and my sweet Nana. All of the supplies you send us each week, well, kick ass. Lastly, thanks to all of you who send us encouraging texts and Facebook messages. You will never know how much that fuels our strength. 

Happy trails~ dandelion

Ahh ... civilization once again. Coming into towns have been a big part of our encouragement while we are hiking. It's nice being able to shower and clean your clothes. It's also great to plop down on a bed instead of setting up a tent and blowing up a sleeping pad. I have developed an intense appreciation for civilization and all the things I can't have while I'm in the woods. For example, being able to eat raw, healthy foods that I can't carry with me. I'm looking forward to the opportunity to eat the biggest, vibrant salad ever! 

Although, I must confess that it doesn't take very long for the mountains to call me back. I never thought I would miss being out in the wilderness after spending so much time out there . . . but I do. I miss the stillness and the sounds of nature. I miss the smells of the trees and the waters. I miss the simple life of waking up with the sun and going down with the moon.