Pumbaa rhythm, family shifts of trails and gratitude in the at

«I don’t have to pursue extraordinary moments to find happiness, it’s right in front of me if I’m paying attention and practicing gratitude.»

—Brown Brown

🛏️ Gear failures and pop bubb

During most of my walk, I have been using a Term-a-rest uberlite Like my sleeping pad. In general, I have been satisfied with that, it is light and comfortable, especially compared to the foam pads. But, as most hikers know, inflatable pads come with great compensation: comfort versus durability.

I started to wake up all night just to find my pad. completely deflated. It turns out that he had developed a slow escape. It is wild how emotionally attached that I get to my team. But with more than 2,000 miles of resistant land and weather ahead, it is not realistic to wait any Team piece to last all the way.

After some failed attempts to locate the escape, a fellow hiker appointed Child He shared a trick through Hiker: Fill his pad with air, subdue it in water and cover it into dishes. Where bubbles appear, you have your escape.

In Mile 837I met him Tye RiverAnd another hiker offered me soap. Indeed …found and patch.

Beyond the fiasco of the sleeping pad, I had to communicate with multiple manufacturers about Gear replacements: Trekking pictures, my water filtration system and a couple of other essential elements. I’ve been In fact Impressed with the receptive and supportive that most companies have been: their thanks to the equipment industry for being behind their products. That said, he Logistics of coordination gear replacements From the way It can be crazy. Trying to discover where You will be 3 to 5 days, as to Get a package to the general delivery and when To sit and write those emails? It is not exactly relaxing after a day of 20 miles.

The repair of the sleeping pad worked, but it took time. That day I walked shorter and ended up separated from my family of paths. It would not be until SHENANDOHS I reached them again.

🏜️ Utah magic in Virginia

Plan a meeting on the way is logistics chaos. Anyone through Hiker can tell you: When someone asks, «Where will you be on the date ___?« The most accurate answer is, «I don’t have a damn idea.«

Then it meant a lot that my friend Kayla He managed to find me in Waynesboro, Va. We work together in Utah and share a deep appreciation for the desert and outdoor healing. His compassion and ability to be present with people is rare.

Spending time together brought so many memories of that chapter of my life, and reminded me how much crossover there is between my work in the past desert and this current walk.

Kayla shouts! You are a gem 💎

An absolute legend

🥾 Travesuras in the Shenondoahs

He SHENANDOHS They were an explosion. One of the biggest advantages? The roads—The little oasis where you can take a black shake, a cheap beer or a hot food faces (it is worth it).

Here is my hot shot: the roads They are the best part of Shenondoah.

Something flat to walk? Yes please

I know…. It is not a purist shot … but the horizon truck is parallel to the AT, and walking that paved section gave me my knees very necessary break. The ability to appear, enjoy the views and take the occasional ice cream detour? Pure Trail Bliss. Without regret. 👏

Some road views

🍿 Zero in Luray (Dragons included)

We rolled in Guardians With plans for Aqua BlazeBut the The Shenondoah river was too high. Journal.

We pivot hard:

• Morning coffee
• Part of the pool
• And at night? He New live action How to train your dragon movie.

Coffee with shine and sweet tea

Yes. One of my zero favorites. I even moved a little during the movie: it was a beautiful count, and probably a reminder that even tired adults still need some child magic from time to time.

The cinema is pink 👏

🐗 Pumbaa rhythm

Teddy Roosevelt is cited saying «Comparison is the thief of joy,«And he nailed it.

On a particular day, we plan to walk 24 milesAnd I knew I would move slower than the group. My internal critic appeared out loud:

«You are not strong enough. You are slowing them down. They are judging you.»

So I said that I would be walking in Pumbaa rhythm.

To my surprise, people replied: «That is exactly the rhythm you should go!«

Once again, people here showed me that I was wrong in the better shape. I often suppose people are judging, but most are only trying to solve them them. There is so much compassion Here if you are willing to receive it.

Some magic of paths with some beautiful humans: bingo, poppy, shine, sweet tea, pumbaa, dairy, sun

👋 Trail Family moving

Trail families change. It is part of the walk.

Sweet tea He had to walk ahead: he is working on a couple of days of 30 miles per week.

Love story He left the path in Waynesboro after going down with an unpleasant monkey case. It is not clear when (or if) will return.

It is hard.

You never know who you will end …Injury, money, timeAnything can change the alignment. It is a strange balance. On the one hand, you don’t want to give your people. On the other, trying to control if they stay? That is a disappointment recipe.

I am learning that Practicing acceptance It is the only real option. But delivering control is difficult. Still working on that.

I hope you feel better love story!

🙏 Gratitude, reframled

Recently I finished reading Brené Brown’s imperfection giftsAnd hit hard. A point that makes: We often assume that Joy leads to gratitude«So people who are happy must be grateful for their circumstances.»

But she turns it: it is really gratitude that leads to joy.

«I don’t have to pursue extraordinary moments to find happiness, it’s right in front of me if I’m paying attention and practicing gratitude.»

—Brown Brown

That idea has stayed with me here. Even while I have the best moment of my life, I still fall into the comparison trap:

• Other people walk faster.
• What happens if they are having a better experience?
• Am I missing something great while I stop for a break?

So I’m working on the changing approach to what I could be losing what I already have. And Wow, does the difference?

It is difficult not to be grateful when someone gives you free coffee 🙏☕️

In my old wild community, we would say «grateful» before meals. Sometimes he felt forced, but the practice of gratitude, even in the most difficult days, had a great effect on my mental state. It is a ritual that I want to claim here.

«Practice gratitude invites joy to our lives. «

—Brown Brown, The gifts of imperfection

Even in the miles where joy is difficult to come, gratitude keeps fire.

Practicing gratitude was vital in the roller coaster 🎢

🥾 Walking

I am approaching the midpointAnd I thought I would be overwhelmed, like, «Shit, I still have until now.«

But instead? I feel a little sad.

I am not ready for this to end. Maybe I feel different later, but for now I know that this path has more to teach me.

I’m here. I am walking. I am grateful.

And I’m still going to Pumbaa rhythm.

Pumbaa outside. 🐗