P.S. Happy Pride Month, Divas🌈

I completed most of my miles last winter, January through April, and dedicated my efforts to my best friend, Alison, who was going through a year of interferon treatment for cancer. When I reached 98 miles, I stopped, and waited for Alison. She is an avid walker and runner, and during her treatment, she was unable to even walk 1/2 mile. In September, upon completion of her treatment, we walked my last two miles together on the trail north of Marquette. The Hike 100 will forever be a milestone in both our lives. She plans to do it herself in 2017!

NCNST thru hike/run E2E. Started 04/10/2016 on the AT at Killington, VT. Finished 10/30/2016 at Lake Sakakawea State Park, ND. 4,700 miles, 6 months 20 days. Beginning this undertaking little did I know the challenges that would await me; but in the end, each challenge just made the finish all that more rewarding. By thru hiking E2E I was privileged to see a large part of the country, each region unique in its own way. By simply placing one foot in front of another, I witnessed how each of these regions were united, one region transitioning into the next East to West. Whenever I am hiking a trail I often find it difficult to stop, always wanting to see what's around the next corner. And for me, thru hiking E2E allowed me to see what was around every corner. A hiking trail exists to be hiked, and that I did every day. At the beginning, hiking was the focus. As my journey progressed, I found that it was more than just hiking that was the reward, it was the people I met along the way.

_Blog Deets_

Brior - The Nova Set

Location - TSA

Heritage - From The Balcony

Location- TSA

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Deere Asylum, VA / USA - November 2020: Hallway doors stand open with windows smashed in the rehab center on an abandoned mental hospital campus.

Cotic Escapade

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I got an awesome opportunity this weekend to hike with some fellow "gorge rats" to the entrance of the Linville Gorge, known as Goodman's Bottoms. This area is known for its fields filled with daffodils in the springtime, and for the historic homestead that once existed in the fields. Shortoff Mountain, the welcoming rock face sitting at the entrance of the gorge, looms in the background with the Linville River winding it's way towards the gorge alongside.

Being able to hike here is truly a privilege and once-in-a-lifetime event since it's on private property. I can say that I was truly blessed to take part in this hike, not knowing if I'll get the same opportunity again. Thank you again to my friend Mark Houser, Josh Spurlin, Denise Bishop, Wigg Faulkner, and all of the other "gorge rats" who love our backyard wilderness so much and who so graciously invited me along. Until next time, enjoy my take on the first signs of spring from the Linville Gorge! I'll post some video soon, so stay tuned! Happy Spring, y'all! #linvilleriver #linvillegorge #blueridgemountains #NCmountains #cathyandersonphoto #shortoffmountain #daffodils #springflowers #spring #yellowflowers #wildernessarea #wilderness #wildernessphotography

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I really enjoyed hiking and backpack camping on the NCT. I thought it was going to be really hard in the heat and carrying a pack but found it was not that bad because it tends to be a little cooler in the woods. I did some of the hikes by myself, some with my wife, and some of it with my son. I also tried hammock camping instead of tent camping and really enjoyed it. Hammocks are better for my back. I was lucky and had pretty good weather on all my hikes. It rained at night 3 times and only once I had to hike during the day in light rain.

Not much of a story. I love hiking and being in the wilderness. This just gave me another reason to go out and hike.