Hi. Welcome to the second installment of “Here’s a thing I do.”

In this one, I focus on HIKING!

This picture was taken from the top of Goat’s Peak, a hike in the North Cascade mountains. The structure to the right is a fire watch tower. Fun Fact: it’s one of the last manned towers in the state of Washington. The guy who lives there is named Lightning Bill. He will read you poetry and feed you cookies if you come up into his hut. 😂 Isn’t the view amazing?

Okay, so hiking. Here’s the deal. I’m definitely a day hiker. I’ve backpacked overnight, but I definitely prefer sleeping in my own comfy bed after a hard day’s work. Also, I’m not particularly good at hiking. In addition to being an unapologetic fair weather hiker, I also have to stop a lot and take my time, and I ALWAYS end the day with bruised toenails (which makes me highly suspicious I’m doing something wrong). But I love it.

LOVE. IT.

This is me at the top of my favorite local hike, Mt. Townsend. 

I love that feeling of standing on top of a mountain, looking around at other, taller mountains. I love conquering something that seems impossible. And I also love that mountains don’t care whether or not you’re sweaty or red-faced or whether your hair looks bad (or whether you even have hair, for that matter). Day hiking is especially freeing in this way. No offense to all ya’ll overnight hikers or people who are really into climbing, but they have bunches of fancy equipment and like FULL ON degrees in the area. Day hiking is like an equalizer. You need a first aid kit, water, food, and a jacket. That’s pretty much it.

I also love that it’s something I can do wherever I go.

This is me at the top of Baldy just outside of Anchorage, Alaska. 

And here I am hiking around Glencoe in Scotland.

Plus, I have a pretty great hiking partner. ❤️

As we get into summer, I’m starting to plan the hikes I want to do this year. I’m excited, but I’m also scared.

Confession: I actually haven’t been on a big hike since I lost my hair about two years ago, and I think I’m finally at the point in my healing/dealing with it journey, that I’m ready to get back at it. Is it going to be hard? Yes. Emotional? Probably. But will it be worth it? Definitely.

So look forward to new hiking pictures this summer! I might be in a sweaty wig or a hat or a bandana, or who knows … maybe I’ll build up the courage to just go bald. 😂 Either way, I’m going to be standing on top of some mountains. For sure and certain.

So, there’s another thing I do! Are you a hiker? Do you have something else that makes you feel strong and happy? I sure hope so. And even if it’s been a while since you’ve done that thing, it’s never too late to get back at it. ❤️