Happy Saturday, friends! I’m sitting in a hotel room with my coffee, my pack is by the door. I made final adjustments to my pack in the room last night. Marty’s is still in the car. I’m itching to hit the trail. Before we head out, I want to look back on the week, because it was a full one.
This week held two anniversaries for my brothers, David and Steve. Remembering is hard work. My brain went into overdrive, as it often does, and it didn’t want to shut off.
The week wasn’t all heavy. We picked up half a bushel of Granny Smith apples and a peck of Gala apples near an orchard a few weeks back, and we’ve been freeze drying them. We also made a batch of sugar-free fried apples that turned out SO good. I told Marry we may have to make more of the sugar-free apples to freeze dry for the Yukon trip! I spent a few nights on the road and journaled from the hotel in the evenings. I feel like I caught up on all of my work despite the travel. Yay!
Our plans for this weekend changed a bit due to thunderstorms. We were going to backpack the Cold Mountain loop, but we switched to Gorges State Park instead. (Flexibility is a backpacker’s best friend!) We’ll hike some miles today and camp tonight. I’m looking forward to the sound of rushing water, the smell of fall in the woods, and quiet miles with Daddy Longlegs and Ghost. That’s my therapy. Out there, my mind finally slows down, and I can breathe.
The rain is supposed to start as a drizzle around 3 pm. Rain on a tent is one of my favorite sounds, as long as the tent doesn’t leak. <laughter> We’ve got the right gear and are ready for the adventure.
If you’ve had a heavy week too, I hope you find your own version of a trail this weekend, whether it’s a walk around the block, a cup of coffee on the porch, or a few minutes of prayer. Give yourself room to feel it, and then give yourself permission to enjoy something good.
I’ll report back on the trail. Never stop exploring and never give up hope. Life is good.
