Backpacking

I walk to strengthen my body, elevate my spirit, and learn what I can from this ancient, vibrant, rapidly changing earth.
In August, 2025, I took to the Appalachian Trail to celebrate back-to-school on sabbatical, hiking 124 miles over eleven days through the White Mountains of New Hampshire. I gained a new trail name, Goosebumps, battling my imagination alone in the woods at night. And I took daily plunges in the wonder of the cosmos.
In August, 2025, I took to the Appalachian Trail to celebrate back-to-school on sabbatical, hiking 124 miles over eleven days through the White Mountains of New Hampshire. I gained a new trail name, Goosebumps, battling my imagination alone in the woods at night. And I took daily plunges in the wonder of the cosmos.
In late May of 2025, on the eve of my research trip in the National Park Archives, Jon and I headed out on a magical eight-day trek across Yosemite’s North Rim to May Lake. With snow on the trails and most tourists waiting for Tioga Road to open, we saw as many bears as people. An infected toe and a mysterious illness forced us to slow down and really savor the stillness. We spent our first anniversary awestruck by a prolonged sunset on top of North Dome, with Half Dome illuminated across the way. At May Lake, we watched a deer fall through the ice crust, take a cold bath, and climb back out. After days of limping, we challenged ourselves to do the entire trek in reverse–in a day and a half!