The New Moon is often thought of as a time for New Beginnings as it is the first phase in the Moon Cycle. It’s a time when the sun and the moon meet up in the sky from our perspective on earth. The moon is hidden. Like a seed underground, like a sperm meeting and egg, symbolizing the beginning process of gestation. It is a powerful time to set new intentions or re-commit to our path. It’s a time when the ground is fertile and wet, making it the best time to plant seeds in the garden, as well as in our hearts. The new moon is an invitation to start fresh. To use the darkness to visualize and dream.
in nature
Thursday, April 27, 2023
The Bees Are Awake
"Mommy. Mom? Mom?" my four-year-old son, River, calls.
"Mmm-hmm," I murmur, wiping the sleep from my eyes as I walk toward the coffee pot.
"Are the bees awake?" he asks, concerned.
I peek outside, praying that the bees are far, far away. One . . . two, three, four. Nope, the bees are up and at 'em. Lively, buzzing from flower to flower steps away from the front door.
My mind searches like a frantic bunny hopping to and fro, looking for a thorny bush to shelter in. I need something to say other than the truth- the truth that is sure to break him into a million pieces. I can't handle that yet. I need coffee. If I'm going to deliver the truth, I have to have a side dish to soothe the heat. I can't just whip around and say point blank, "Yes, hunny, they are." I know better than that. As his mother, I do my job to meet his needs.
My mind races to create a little white lie. Something like, "Yeahhhhh, I think I see one, but it looks like he's getting sleepy. I bet if we eat breakfast, he will go away."
You know– those ridiculous statements we parents say to herd the kids in the direction we want them to go. I caught myself telling my daughter Indie yesterday "Baby, you gotta brush your teeth. You've got bugs in your mouth." Which isn't entirely false . . . microorganisms right? Still- I knew I had to paint a ridiculous picture to compel good hygiene action. I'm embarrassed that it was fear related, but I digress. Back to the bees.
You see, River is deeply terrified of bees. He was stung a few years back, but the pain remains. Me too, buddy . . . I always think.
He doesn't want to be hurt again. He wants nothing to do with the things. So he stays inside and hovers close to my leg when he has to venture out, staying on full alert.
I don't know how to help, and this bugs me. (no pun intended) I don't know what to do to ease his anxiety. I try the ole "hey buddy, don't move. Just stay really still. It won't bother you if you don't bother it."
He shrieks at the sight and hyperventilates at the sound. His nervous system can't handle it.
He's only four, and I wonder what other fears he will have to face in life. So many, I am sure of it. My mother hurt throbs thinking about this.
It makes me think about my fears, past and present. What makes my skin crawl? Ahd what helps get me through it? Of course, heights, death, and all those big-ticket fears flash through my mind, but I dismiss those. I want to go beyond the surface.- past being bitten by a shark or mauled by a bear. I reflect for a moment on the fears I'm dealing with daily like River's bees. . . Then, Ahhhhh, I discover the ouchie zone- being late, being seen as irresponsible, being scared that someone will think I'm a bad person.
Perhaps, we all have bees that we wish would go to sleep. Yep, I'd say we do.
Nothing left to do but serve some little white lies to help us cope. We can wrap around the leg of our mother, pray for bravery, and walk through the flowers shrieking, whether on the inside or echoing for the whole holler to hear.
Thursday, September 17, 2020
Virgo New Moon 2020
Happy New Moon, friends!
VIRGO
This Moon is in Virgo so it contains Earth energy that is oriented toward practical and reliable ways to be of service. Energy that is concerned with being orderly, detail oriented, hardworking, selfless, precise, analytical. Or it can manifest as perfectionism, nit-picking, lost in details, skeptical, critical or workaholism.
This tension can balanced by being present, practicing gratitude and being a part of something greater than ourselves
Storytime: Honor and Reflect
Something that has been coming up for me this Virgo season is noticing how my dreams are directly related to my fears. It’s almost like they are just different sides of the same coin.
For example, my desire to be detail oriented so that I can be truly great at something, to excel and give it my all often turns to “perfectionism” or “workaholism” and it activates this deep fear of “Not Being Good Enough”. But it’s this ambitious energy, this passion to do something to the best of my ability that drives me. So it’s a really interesting, energetic dance. And as long as I stay aware and practice self compassion, it can even be fun and insightful!
Another dream/fear combo I am experiencing is this Freedom to express myself and this Fear of “what others will think”. This leads me down the path to PLEASING, which leads me to putting other people’s needs/wants before my own and this leads me to feeling RESENTFUL and just unsatisfied and also feeling neglected. Ultimately, I see this is a form of Self Abandonment, causing major Self Worth Problems.
As I sit back and look at my New Moon List, I am noticing this invitation to step into my Power. An invitation to believe in myself. An opportunity to actively choose FAITH over FEAR. This moon cycle I intend to rest before I quit. I vow to be relentless in my devotion to the Life I have dreamed up. Perseverance is my word.
Tuesday, January 7, 2020
6 Life Lessons I Learned from Hiking the Appalachian Trail
THE MOUNTAINS CALL FOR A REASON
I believe the mountains call to awaken and reconnect us with our purpose. To remind us that "the world needs people who have come alive," as the author and philosopher Howard Thurman once said.
Dreamers know that we are here for a purpose. Dreamers see the value in seeking clarity regarding purpose. We want to be absolutely sure that we are on the right path- that we have intercepted the correct universal mission. But unfortunately, sometimes, this soul-seeking journey can send us into depression, analysis paralysis, and not to mention the everyday grind that is life. Things get cloudy. We get distracted, and our souls get a bit lost. This is when the Mountains Call.
There is something about being on the trail and walking forward that puts things into perspective. My brain gets rewired every time I set foot on a dirt path. I walk and climb until I get to the mountaintop, where I look out over the vast landscape and think to myself, "life is hard, but I am strong. I just have to keep moving and believe I will make it. . . I always do." I think about my past hikes and am constantly inspired to keep living the dream and gaining perspective.
Jennifer Pharr Davis also has some things to say about the "power and healing of physical forward motion" in her talk featured on National Geographic talk.
The Mountains may never call you to thru-hike, but they will call. So best have your boots ready.
FORTITUDE IS A FORGOTTEN VALUE THAT WE ALL NEED NOW.
Enduring pain and suffering is a part of trail-life. "Embrace the suck" is a famous saying on the Appalachian Trail (AT). You have to, because most of the time, it sucks. You are uncomfortable a good 90% of the time. Your muscles ache, and your feet are torn apart. The mosquitoes are relentless at times. You are downright dirty, and hiker-hunger will get the best of your emotions. The boredom of monotonous duties can and will mess with your psyche. You will want to quit. You will question why you started and what the point is. As the thru-hikers say, "No Pain, No Maine."
Joseph M Marshall III talks about fortitude in his book, The Lakota Way, as "quiet persistence." It's the "ability to take one step at a time and make the best possible use of your attributes."
Today, we are so conditioned to cushy, cozy lives. Being comfortable might just be our Achilles heel. It gets in the way of living our dreams. To live your dreams, you have to risk being comfortable. You have to be brave and overcome fears. You have to be patient. You have to stay connected to your purpose and your original intention. Above all, you have to endure with the strength of your heart and mind. You must possess fortitude. If you don't yet have enough, the journey will give it to you. So just believe and try to embrace the suck.
CLARITY OF PURPOSE BRINGS HAPPINESS
It's basic stuff in the backcountry. There is never any questioning of what needs to be done. Secure safe shelter, fire for warmth, get clean water, enjoy community. These are the priorities. Everything else falls into place after the basics. In the modern world, there are so many distractions. It's hard to stay focused and connected to what matters most. Our priorities are quickly thrown all out of whack.
Being connected to the elements has a mystical way of revealing how you should approach the more complicated layers of life. One can gaze into a campfire or stare into the stars and suddenly feel a sense of "everything makes sense". I know that I have a heightened sense of intuition when I'm in nature and feel much more confident about what I want out of life. Nature grounds you to the present moment, which seems to be where the magic happens. Gratitude, fulfillment, and clarity all reside in the present.
One of my life purposes became clear to me in 2014 when I was on my thru-hike. I wanted everyone to feel the peace that I felt among the trees. I wanted to inspire everyone to connect with nature and look deeper.
CONNECTION, RESPECT, AND DEEP REVERENCE FOR NATURE
When you are in the backcountry or the deep ocean, or anywhere else, there is no question that you are a part of nature. The water, the berries, the sunshine, and the animals are family. John Muir says it best:
"Wonderful how completely everything in wild nature fits into us, as if truly part and parent of us. The sun shines not on us but in us. The rivers flow not past but through us, thrilling, tingling, vibrating every fiber and cell of the substance of our bodies, making them glide and sing. The trees wave and the flowers bloom in our bodies as well as our souls, and every bird song, wind song, and; tremendous storm song of the rocks in the heart of the mountains is our song, our very own, and sings our love."
OUR TRUE HUMAN NATURE IS GOODNESS.
The community surrounding the Appalachian Trail should receive a gold medal in hospitality. There is a reason why people refer to the kind-hearted folk as Trail Angels. Moms and pops, veteran hikers and churches, aspiring trailblazers, and entire towns rally together to help hikers achieve their dreams. It's really that simple. We just want to help each other and see each other thrive.
I remember being in complete awe of the thru-hiker trail etiquette. Generally, whenever you meet another hiker, you stop and have a quick conversation with them. Exchanging questions like: "How is your day? What's up ahead? When did you start hiking? How far are you going? I remember daydreaming about what this would look like in the modern world. What if we made a point to stop and have a real, meaningful conversation with every person we come in contact with throughout our average day? What kind of world would that be? Well, I guess it would be a much slower pace of living. Maybe, some of us are doing that with our social media channels in some sort of evolved way. Anyway, the point is that the genuine level of care about another person's journey was high on the trail. The exchange was valued. It had a profound impact on my life. I may not be able to converse with everyone I meet each day, but I really hope that the conversations I have are full of care and meaning.
Watching my son, River, grow has only solidified that we are born so pure and innocent with a strong innate desire to do good.
NATURE AS THE ULTIMATE GUIDE FOR DREAMERS.
Like all relationships, a deep intimate connection with the natural world takes work. You must be open and patient, and willing to learn. If you put yourself in the student role and step outside- I promise nature will guide you to where you need to go. I've always been connected to nature. Growing up, my dad would often preach about passages in the Bible where it talks about the rocks crying out and the fields clapping. I felt a deep resonance with his sermons because it felt true. I would feel the tree's messages of strength and the flower's messages of comfort. I would hear the birds and watch as they dance us into a state of joy. Living on the AT affirmed for me that nature is my ultimate guide.
#god #lifelessons #appalachiantrail #nature #hiking #learning #living
Thursday, January 3, 2019
My 7 Step Approach to Climbing Mental Mountains
You may be thinking, “What are Mental Mountains?”
Well, they are just like they sound. Mental Mountains are the challenges that take place in our minds. Every daring creative pursuit involves overcoming at least one. They require a strong and steady spirit to reach the top. Some take days and others take years.
I’m talking about fear, self-doubt, perfectionism and facing the unknown. Ewwww, I know. Do those words send tingly feelings down your spine? It’s ok, they aren’t so bad. Actually they are insightful little guides. OK, let’s get to it. What mountain are you climbing?
7 steps to Climbing Mental Mountains
A Creative Approach to Getting Out Of Your Own Way
Climbing mental mountains is no easy task. It’s not really fun, but it’s necessary in order to live a creative, holistic life. Once you are at the top it will be totally worth it. First, we will determine what mountain you are facing. Then we can chart the course, blaze a trail and climb it!
Provisions you will need:
- Adequate Courage
- Willingness to Believe
- A good companion (dogs count)
- Inspiring reading material
- Journal for documenting
What you gain:
- Self Respect
- Self Confidence
- Strength of the Heart
- A big leap closer to your dreams.
- A valuable vantage point.
It all starts within.
Step 1. Stop & Listen
What is standing in the way of you and the life you want to live? All you have to do is listen to the voice that arises when you think about your dreams.
Step 2. Name the inner resistance
Give the voice a name. For example, when I hear my inner critic telling me that my writing isn’t good enough that’s when I know I have to climb the mountain of “Perfectionism“. Or if she starts to remind me how hurt I got when my last idea flopped, I know I have to overcome the “Fear of Failure” mountain.
Step 3. Route the Course
Once you know what Mountain (or Mountains in some cases) life is assigning you to climb, then you can begin to sketch a route. This is where creativity comes into play. Like the true Trailblazer you are, it’s time to find your own way through. You can choose to run up it or maybe switch-backs are more your style.
Step 4. Be your own cheerleader
Climb with Love. I’ve noticed that the more Self-Love talk I give myself along the way, the faster I get to the top. Reassure your inner critic that you are safe and are capable of getting to the top. Let the wind sing you your song. Listen, it will.
Step 5. Ask for guidance
Ask for Guidance. If you are struggling with Step 3 and 4 or maybe you just need some affirmation, then turn to your confidant. Tell them what you are struggling with and ask if they can see a way through. Sometimes all we need is a fresh set of eyes. You can also call on your “other than human” guides. Ancestors, angels, spirits of the great beyond!
Step 6. Nourishment
Don’t skip lunch. Your brain needs food. GOOD food. COLORFUL food. Find a tree to lunch with. I’ve come to learn that they are good lunch buddies. (and good listeners)
Step 7. Keep Going
The Final Push. There is always a final push at the end. Adrenaline may kick in as you reach the tree line and sense the top is near. This is a good time to read your inspiring material to be sure you stay focused on your goal of completion. Don’t look back now.
Mental Mountains are not just Creative Blocks. They are valuable gifts on the Self-Discovery journey!
Ahh, sweet perspective
You did it! Take off your pack. Kick off your shoes. Look what you just hiked! Now that you are at the top basking in the warm sun, you can see how far you have come. (hey, that rhymes) This is when you need to pull out your journal and write about your dreams! With a strong sense of accomplishment, you are bound to unleash your best work. Mountaintops give Clarity, Strength and a fresh sense of Wonder. Breathe in the fresh perspective and remember that your dreams are worth fighting for.
Happy Trails,
Amber
Sunday, September 2, 2018
Talks with Leaves: Let it all go.
Woke up to falling leaves. 🍁
Lots of anxiety swirling about as we are about 4 weeks away from giving birth to our baby.
Thoughts.
So many thoughts. How am I going to run or manage my business and nurture a tiny human and give myself time to rest and heal??? We are an hour away from the birth center... will we make it in time??? Will I be strong enough?? I still don’t reaaaaallly understand how a 7- 10 lb. living thing is going to come out of me... We still have about a million and one things to do at the house... (like get hot water and install a toilet.)When will we find the time to accomplish ALL THE THINGS and still be good business owners, partners, friends and parents??? Is “life balance” a real obtainable thing? 🤔 And what the heck does life feel like / look like after giving birth? 🔮
Anyway~ the leaves had some things to say about letting it all go and trusting in the process. Thanks leaves. Praying for all my soon-to-be and new mamma friends out there. I’m riding the wave with ya sisters! Here’s to staying on top and not drowning in fears, doubts and insecurities! 🤙🏻🏄🏻♀️🤱🏻🤱🏼🤱🏽🤱🏾��🏿#wegotthis #motherhood #beinghuman#lifethoughts #talkingtoleaves#thewildunknown
Wednesday, June 28, 2017
Spirit Guide, Dandelion
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.
Saturday, May 27, 2017
Spirit Guide, Moth
Greetings from God in moth form. ✨love these Messengers of hope. ✨
〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰 🦋Head toward the light your own unique way. 🦋Open your wings. You are ready to feel the sky. 🦋
Thursday, May 4, 2017
Animal Spirit: Snake
Snake Messages
〰 Layers have been shed. Time to MOVE around in this new skin with a sense of lightness, CONFIDENCE and flexibility. What are you waiting for? The possibilities are INFINITE. 🐍🌀🙏🏻🌀🐍 Thanks snake guide! #spiritspeaks
Thursday, February 12, 2015
Flow with the River
Letting go of any preconceived ideas of what your life should look like is rather hard. We grow up forming a beautiful picture of what life will look like when we are 25, 30, 49.... What we will have accomplished by then, what kind of job we will have and what our living arrangements will be. We will know what political party to vote for and attend church regularly. We will have our life in order that's for damn sure by the time we are 26. We spend years building our ideal life. Some of us measure it out in coffee spoons- detail after detail. However I was reminded today that it's good to let all of that go from time to time. Trust the process. It's ok if you are 30 and aren't married. It's ok if you lack one college credit before you can be an official grad. It's ok if you identify as a republican and but secretly like Obama. And it is completely fine to feel lost and helpless. It's time to let go and flow with the river of life. Be easy on yourself.
Friday, October 10, 2014
Trail Update: Hikers are back in Tennessee
The East Tennessee tribe is home! We got off trail in Virginia at McAfee Knob with plans to complete the remaining section of the Appalachian Trail later in the Spring. Dad’s medicine was freezing and it was just too dang cold to get up in the mornings. So for now I will consider 1, 400+ miles on the AT an impressive achievement!
I sat down to write a post about our 4 month journey and how it feels to be off the trail. Although, I still can’t put into words what it's like to travel over a thousand miles on foot with everything you need to survive on your back. Plus, what it’s like hiking with family!
All I can say is that I am changed. In many ways, I am changed. I no longer look at the sky the same or the mountains the same. I even look at people differently. I feel connected to earth and long to wake up with the sun. I believe in living sustainable more than ever now. The earth is precious and we need to take care of her. My dreams and passions seem to burn more. Life is too short to be unhappy. It really is true how people say that life experiences can shape and mold you.
Adjusting back to “normal life" gives me a bit of anxiety. It’s strange to imagine life without camp chores, sore ankles or counting miles. I know I will miss the A.T., especially the simplicity of trail life, but I am so excited to start a new adventure.
The Appalachian Trail will always have a piece of my heart. Thanks to everyone who made this trip great. I am forever grateful. I hope that our trip has inspired many others to branch out and take outdoor adventures!
Friday, September 19, 2014
Half Way Home!
Hi guys,
We passed the offical midpoint nearly 100 miles ago; however, it didn’t sink in until we reached Harpers Ferry and signed in at the Appalachian Trail Conservacy Headquarters. We each got our photo taken for the official ATC register and walked out feeling on top of the world.
Woo, what an adventure we are living! We are across the Mason-Dixon Line and more over half way to Georgia! Fourteen states down and four to go.
It feels good to be half way, but it feels even better to spend some much needed time with our family!
The McDermids and Adams took on Harpers Ferry, WV and Washington, DC this week! Oh, yes. It was an adventure all on its own. Big thanks to Stacey’s uncle Cecil for letting us crash at his place and making us feel at home.
Being in the South and knowing that we are so close to home is comforting and exciting. Our spirits are higher than ever. Our bodies are rested and feeling rejuvenated from the time off. We will be entering the Shenandoah National Forest tomorrow- something I've waited years to experience.
Let's see, whats’s new . . . Oh, the tribe has grown from 4 to 5 hikers! Luke, also known on the trail as Tree Frog, has decided to rejoin the tribe! We are all super excited to have his energy back with us.
On a more serious note . . . Tuck has been treated for Lyme Disease. He contracted it through a tick bite on his chest and started showing symptoms about a week after the bite. We took him to an Urgent Care and sure enough, it was Lymes. Thankfully, it was still in the early stages. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers for a quick recovery!
All for now. It’s way passed my bed time. Thanks for caring about our adventure.
Happy trails,
Amber
Sunday, August 31, 2014
Trail Update: Mid Atlantic Recap
Terrain
It's always interesting to see how the terrain changes in each state. Overall, the terrain has been easier (as far as elevation changes) since New Hampshire. So we are able to do more miles. There has been less views and far less water. As our friend Obi said, "we are packing water like a camel." Thankfully, we are crossing more roads and are able to get food in towns rather than having to carry it. Our food bags mainly consist of candy bars, chips and leftover pizza for snack breaks. Don't worry, Mom, I'm taking my vitamins.
Vermont was just the beginning of our mental challenge. We had to push through the green tunnel, mud and crowds of egotistical Northbounders to get to the even more demanding, Pennsylvania. Now we are fighting against the rocks, snakes and dried up streams. They will not defeat us!
Our spirits are good. Especially when we get a good view of the valley, come across a refreshing coca-cola or if you are TallMilk - climbing trees.
Family Surprise!
I was really missing family. Especially, since Lexi spent all of July in Haiti making our communication very limited. I knew Badweather was missing Mom. This was the most they had ever been apart. So I devised a surprise visit in Great Barrington, MA!
TallMilk and Badweather were stunned to see the familar faces so far away from home. (We later saw our neighbor, Jim Catlett, in town. He was riding his motorcycle to Maine. Talk about small world!) We took 2 zero days to catch up with each other and make memories.
Lexi (aka Butter) went slackpacking with us (in a downpour rain) and fell in love with the trail so much that she is currently thinking about joining us for an extended period of time! It was much needed family time; although, it did make me more homesick.
Oh and TallMilk, Buttter and I got tattoos. (eek!)
Forest Sounds
There have been many nights when I've been woken up by the sounds of the forest. Some are soothing like the lake loons in Maine and some are frightening like the thumps and the crinkles of footsteps in the leaves.
There was a night that I woke up to the sound of a frantic TallMilk fighting off a mouse. He left a Snickers bar in the side pocket of his tent and the mouse had eaten through the tent and the wrapper to get to the delicious treat! Although it spooked and frustrated TallMilk, it was entertaining to watch as he tried to chase the mouse away.
One of the most memorable night of forest sounds was in Massachusetts: the night our camp was invaded by porcupines! Our tents were set up in a semi circle with a tree in the middle. Around 2am, I heard something walking around our tent. I was already on high alert since we spent the evening talking to our friends about the night their tent was attacked by something. I woke up FireSquirrel and we carefully reached for our headlamps to investigate what was making all the noise. Paralyzed in fear, we yelled out to Badweather and TallMilk, "Yall hear that?"! Our loud screams made one of the critters run for safety up the tree. All 4 of us shined our headlamps at the tree. We could just see the glow around his body. "Oh gosh, it's a baby bear" I yelled. Our hearts started thumping really fast thinking momma bear was out there somewhere. "No... I think it's a porcupine," said Badweather. I didn't know pocupines could climb trees, but I was relieved to find out they could. I would much rather deal with a porcupine than a baby bear. We waited for him to climb down so we could sleep soundly without the fear of being quilled, but he kept teasing us by climbing down and then up again. We eventually all fell back asleep. The porcupines were gone in the morning. We later googled to learn that porcupines can not throw quills. Phew.
We had our first bear encounter during a night in New Jersey. We weren't actually in the forest. Yep, we were in town! FireSquirrel and I were camping on the lawn of a church hostel with Opi and the Slug Squad (sobo thru-hiker friends) when a 600 lb bear visited us. FireSquirrel woke up to the sound of the bear grunting and snorting. After the beast grazed our tent, FireSquirrel looked out the tent just in time to make eye contact with him. I wake up to "THERE'S A BIG ASS BEAR BY OUR TENT". In an attempt to scare the bear off, FireSquirrel yells for the other hikers. The bear runs off and we all get out of our tent to watch him cross into a near by parking lot. We spend the next hour packing up our stuff and moving into the church basement.
New York City
TallMilk, FireSquirrel and I were looking forward to visiting the big apple since the day we set foot on the trail. Badweather had no desire to see the city so he pushed on to the historic Fort Montgomery.
Honestly, I thought I would hate the city. I was more excited to see my "best friend since kindergarden", Lillie Somerfield, and her way cool boyfriend, Dan Webb.
However, I was surprised at how much I enjoyed New York. It was a bit overwhelming at times, but it helped tremendously to have locals show us around. We spent a day doing the whole tourist thing - Time Square, Central Park, 9/11 Memorial, Rockafeller Plaza, China Town, Brookyln Bridge and all that jazz.
We walked and walked and walked. Although, my favorite thing about visiting New York was experincing a city that was alive with diversity everywhere!
It was much like the movies with street performers, tiny apartments, people walking dogs in the park and markets on every street! I was pleasantly surprised at the kindness of the people. I thought everyone in the city was supposed to be cold and heartless- wrong. Most people were friendly, warm and helpful. And creativity was everywhere! From people's style to the merchandising in the shops. So incredibly inspiring and hopeful. I left the city questioning "Do I belong in the woods or do I belong in the city?"
Getting Lost
There has been several times where we have hiked off trail. It happens. Your looking down, you miss a double blaze and suddenly you are a mile from the AT. Well, the day we hiked Bear Mountain was one of those days. Actually it's one of my favorite days on the trail thus far.
TallMilk, FireSquirrel and I got so completely turned around that at one point we were standing at a trail junction with 3 ways to go - none of them being the AT. Luckily we had service so we were able to bring up Google Maps to see where we were in relation to the AT. To our surprise, we were way off trail and had been for about 2 miles. After half an hour of trying to get back on course, we gave up. We decided to just make an adventure out of it. So we took turns picking trails to turn down. We called home to have John pull up the Spot (our GPS tracker) to make sure we were at least heading South. Nope, we had been hiking North. Great.
We finally came to a road which we later realized led to a castle that inspired the castle in Wizard of Oz. Now that we were on the road, we could easily navigate our way to Bear Mountain Bridge, which was 4 miles away. . . adventure at its finest. Getting lost is usually so frustrating (and at times dangerous). I'm glad we chose to just accept it and make the best out of it.
After we crossed the Hudson River via the bridge, the 2nd half of the day was spent hiking through Bear Mountain State Park (which is where the lowest part of the trail is located) and up Bear Mountain. The park was part museum, part zoo and part lake. As TallMilk said, "Days like today, make me really love the AT."
Trail Towns
Boy oh boy have we explored some amazing and not so amazing trail towns in the Mid-Atlantic!
The A list includes (in my opinion):
Warwick, NY - A super hip little town! We stopped in for dinner and ended up in at a place called Cafe a la Mode. We ate delicious burritos and split a spinach quesadilla. We had multiple people coming up to us on the streets asking if we were thru-hikers and wanted to know all about our adventure.
Great Barrington, MA - Decent size town with a lot going on! All the shops were pricey, but very unique. The whole town had a great, ecclectic vibe. I loved being able to explore the hippie shops and test out the local coffee with my sister. If you find yourself in the area, I highly recommend The Gypsy Joint for lunch or DInner! They make killer food with fresh ingredients.
Bennington, MA - This was FireSquirrels favorite stop. Lots of history in this small town. It has a great coffee shop and old school Diner!
Manchester Center, MA - Very nice town with the absolute coolest bookstore ever! It also has a great outfitters. Ihighly recommend the maple latte at a cafe called Up for Breakfast. We stayed across the street from a farmstand that sold local produce and homemade doughnuts! We got to check out their weekly farmers market, too! Thanks to Mary Ann for picking us up about 15 times and driving us around.
We have had some of the best experiences in these hiker friendly towns. We have also had some very unpleasant experiences in other towns along the way. But hey, they make for great travel stories! Maybe I'll share another time.
Trail Angels
Yes, we have met some of the world's kindest people on the trails. I am always amazed at how these strangers go outof their way to help us. Some people love hikers and love the trail; they would do anything to help us. Other people we've met have no idea what a thru-hiker is but are still willing to do what they can for us. We have had multiple rides from all sorts of people. We have been given sodas, water and treats. We have had our meal paid for. We are so incredibly grateful for the trail angels that come our way!!
I want to extend a specail thanks to these people who helped me at my weakest moments.
Colleen King - We met Colleen at a Diner in NY. She was our waitress and was thrilled to find out we were hikers. She took me, FireSquirrel and TallMilk back to her home after her shift so that we could shower. She gave us all kinds of food to take back to the trail. She even offered to wash our clothes!
Regina Anderson and her son Rohun - FireSquirrel and I showed up very late in Delaware Water Gap to a full church hostel and full Inn - The only 2 places we could stay. Regina and Rohun saw the despair in our faces and offered to drive us to the next town. They even waited to make sure our negotiating with the not-so-nice front desk man went ok.
So yeah, those are the highlights. The tribe will continue to go sobo! We are meeting family in Harpers Ferry and spending some time in Washington, DC! Can't wait!!
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