I am a hiker...

Current location: Tucson (again)
Accumulated miles: 115ish

Sometimes it's weird to me that I am a long distance hiker. I am seriously the laziest, slowest, least athletic person I know. I struggle to get out of my sleeping bag EVERY morning. I walk REALLY REALLY slowly uphill (and often down). I complain about my pack weight, foot pain, and sweating.

But I am a hiker.

This week as I have started a new trek of possibly great distance I have thought a lot about why I am a hiker...
There are many things that make a distance hiker...

I can go days without bathing and drink pretty much any water regardless of the floaters. I walk really far with foot pain and just keep walking no matter the heat, snow, wind, or rain. I can eat ramen or couscous for days on end and mass consume food in town. I'm good at those things... But that's not all that makes me a hiker.

I really truly love the peace and simplicity of living in the wilderness. I love the quiet and the time to think and pray. I love to see big mountains and knowing I can climb them. I love being able to sit with someone in silence and know that no words need to be spoken to understand the beauty of the day.

There are lots of reasons I love being a hiker... But mostly I love that in the wilderness I am living who I really am. I know not everyone understands.. But in this place I find peace, simplicity, and happiness.

I am blessed.

Tomorrow, on to Colossal Caves and Saguaro National Park. Many more beautiful miles to hike!

Something... Anything...

I feel I should have something epic to say... 4 days into this new adventure. I feel like I should have some amazing thoughts... But I don't. Weird.

It's not that this trip isn't big and epic, it just may be. There are big mountains, border patrol, snow storms, getting lost, and strategic planning of water sources... But this trip is different in more than just that. I often find myself comparing it to the last one in my mind, but it is much too different and not just in location.

So, I'll try to find something epic to say for this epic journey... But for now, there are mountains to climb... And I'm a girl who NEVER passes up the chance to climb mountains!

Here is my view the other morning as we walked our way towards town. Life is beautiful!

... Taking chances...

I am Arizona Trail bound! Yay! While this has been something talked about and planned on for a long time, I only really decided I was going over the weekend. Maybe a little bit because I thought it may not happen if I got too excited, maybe because I didn't really think it would all come together... Probably mostly because amidst all my work hours I just really didn't have time to plan... And ultimately because I live in a really 'fly by the seat of my pants' manor which means I never really am good at making plans!

So I find myself in Tucson, heading into the mountains, ready to be free and simple for a while. Not sure how long... But for now.

It's risky... There are lots of unknowns... And what will happen is anyone's guess. Last week though I realized that as much fun as I have working at the 'bux (the same is NOT true of Kroger) and as blessed as I was to so quickly find two jobs that give lots of hours and managers that are really flexible and tolerant... I don't want this forever... And as I look towards the next chapter of my life there are amazing adventures to take, great people to meet, and big risks to take... And I'm ready to take them. I'm ready to move forward.

It seems kinda sneaky, going to Arizona for a bit. I didn't tell many people and didn't plan much, I'm not really sure how long i'll be gone. I'm sure there are people who are angry and disappointed in me, people who don't understand. I wish I could tell them that I really wasn't hiding things or trying to upset them, but I'm just living these days and taking advantage of all that is before me.

So... I'm off to Arizona for a bit, I love you all. I'll write some ridiculous things here, I'll hope to see you soon... And I hope you'll forgive me for being completely ridiculous!