Over the last year or so I have developed a bit of an obsession. It started with people climbing Mt. Everest. Crazy. However, it has evolved and now includes thru-hiking and all great feats involving walking. Lucky for me there is no shortage of books, podcasts and documentaries on this sort of stuff.
I have always loved to hike, but I’m a day hiker at best. I’ve never done it with a backpack, nor have I ever spent a night on the trail. I’m weak sauce. I know that. However, I love reading, watching and hearing about other people’s adventures. I’m also very jealous. I want to be that person. I want to hike the Pacific Crest Trail—in theory.
I have a friend who is training to do an intense hike into the Grand Canyon with three other women. I’m so impressed with her. She also shares my Pacific Crest Trail dream. This friend is about 15 years younger than me. However, when I said I was too old to do it, she quickly pointed out I was the main demographic who does that shit. Turns out, she is correct.
It is people in their 50s doing it because they have disposable income and/or can take six months off from work to do it. They also don’t have kids at home and are still young enough to handle the physical demands of thru-hiking. It all makes sense, but I can’t convince myself that I’m tough enough for such an adventure. Nor can I imagine wearing the same underwear for days on end. Again, I’m total weak sauce.
However, in the last few months, the woods have been calling me more and more. I may never be a thru-hiker, but I certainly can be more of a hiker than I currently am.
I’ve made a couple of purchases in hopes they will help me commit to making hiking more of a habit. I have some fancy-ass new hiking boots. I also bought some trekking poles.
There is a park with great trails near my house and now the weather is warming up, I want to get back in the woods. Since the pandemic I realize I have spent way too much time indoors and I have lost my connection with nature—something I have always loved.
I still doubt I’ll ever be a thru-hiker. I like to take a shower daily, I’ve never pooped in the woods, I don’t like being hungry and I’m a big fan of nice sheets and good pillows. But maybe, if I could get into good enough shape, I could spend a few days on the trail. It really is something I would like to say I have done.
It seems like a pipe dream, but I think back to when I trained and actually completed a half marathon. I never in a million years thought I could do that. So, maybe if I can get off my ass and get into the woods regularly, I might have more in me than just a few miles in an afternoon.
I have not really challenged myself in a long time. I’m going to make this my challenge. Even if I never spend a night on the trail, I’m exercising and enjoying nature. Those are two big wins.
As the great John Muir once said, “The clearest way into the universe is through a forest wilderness.”
Note: I took my first hike totally alone in the woods last week. One of my dearest friends and favorite humans passed away that morning. I lay in bed and cried for a long time. I knew if I did not take the first step towards something that very day, I might never get out of bed. As I entered the woods, I was greeted by a huge, beautiful yellow and black butterfly. My friend, Diana, loved butterflies. She planted milkweed in her yard. I know she sent that butterfly to tell me to keep moving and she was right there with me.
I wrote a blog post about Diana and our shared love of theater a couple of years ago. I think it describes our friendship pretty well. You can read it here: https://kyspiritsgal.com/f/the-theatre-my-happy-place?blogcategory=theater.
Angela Traver
What is this blog about? Well, it's a general blog, but it is also a very specific blog. If you get that reference, you get a gold star! I have been a public relations professional and writer of press releases for more than 20 years—primarily in the booze biz. I decided to do some writing for fun and embrace the humor that gets me through most days. Hopefully it will make you chuckle—or at least smile. I’m a certified crazy magnet, and more than a little nutty myself, so buckle up. Also, I have two vices—profanity and red wine/whiskey. You’ve been warned. It should also be noted, that I’m a HUGE Bob & Sheri fan. I’ve been a listener for more than 20 years. This opportunity is a dream come true and it may have made me cry. That being said, I cry at everything. If you are into booze, dogs, food and/or knitting, hit me up on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter (although I’m terrible at Twitter and it scares me) @kyspiritsgal. You can also find all my previous blog posts at www.kyspiritsgal.com.
