Lessons Learned on the Trail

I’m starting a new series, Lessons Learned on the Trail, to capture some of my memorable experiences being outdoors. This may include recent adventures, spending time outdoors as a kid, or anywhere in between. The series was born out of my attempt to capture my experience section hiking the Sheltowee Trace in 2022. As part of the Hiker Challenge I was able to complete the 343 mile long trail through the Appalachian mountains of Kentucky and northern Tennessee.

Completing the Hiker Challenge in 2022 was a profound, life-altering experience. As such, I’ve struggled to put pen to paper. Whatever I write never seems to do it justice. There’s too much practical advice. Too many memorable experiences. Too many wonderful and interesting people, many of whom I am now honored to call friends. Too many moments of being overwhelmed physically and emotionally and yet somehow emerging stronger on the other side.

Instead, I failed to write anything.

Maybe it was knowledge that my practical tips weren’t new. I was simply retelling what others before me had learned. Maybe it was the realization that I don’t have anything meaningful to share. Have you seen Stephen Bowling’s encyclopedic site of the Sheltowee? Mostly, it was the fear of exposing what I found insightful about my journey.

Here I am again in 2024 hiking 343 gorgeous miles of the Sheltowee Trace one more time. I remembered the most important, lasting lesson from 2022: I’m capable of doing hard things.

I hope you’ll join me in the spirit of doing hard things as I share my Lessons Learned on the Trail.