Hiking In The Dark

My latest article for Hike Like A Woman....

https://hikelikeawoman.net/2017/07/hiking-in-the-dark/

Hiking In the Dark

Why would anyone want to hike in the dark?  That’s just crazy right?!  Well actually, it's my favorite way to hike!

It all started when I started hiking up in the dark in order to see the sunrise from the top of the mountains.  Then I hiked in the dark in order to see a “moonbow”.  I fell in love with it and now prefer it.

I wouldn’t recommend hiking alone in the dark, only because you are more likely to trip and slip when you can’t see where you are stepping.

But man, oh man, it’s amazing!  Why?  Talk about using all your senses at one time plus extra senses you never even realized you had.

Your eyes adjust to the darkness much quicker than you would think.  But because you can’t see as well your other senses go into overdrive.

You hear every little noise.  Most you would never hear during the day.  You hear the silence, I mean really hear it!  You hear the leaves and stems crunching underfoot.  You hear the owls wings as they fly over you.  You hear the crickets, the frogs and howling of wolves.  You hear the creek and the waterfall as you get closer and closer to it.  You hear it all like you have never heard it before.

You are forced to use your touch to get around.  You hold onto trees to help you get down the hills.  You reach down to see where the boulders are.  The boulders are cold to the touch, smooth and moist with the night air.  You put your foot where your hand just was because you know that spot is safe to step on.  You feel everything under your feet.  You are more grounded and close to the earth than you have ever imagined.

You feel the night air.  It’s cool, light and moist.  Refreshing to the lungs.  Feels so cleansing on your face and in your soul.  You feel the mist coming off the waterfall.

You normally wouldn’t notice all these things (that all tend to happen when you day hike as well) because you are too busy looking ahead to see how much further you have to go, looking for the view, taking photos or chatting with your friends.

Light up your senses, take a hike in the dark!!!

The Man Behind Wonder Woman

The Man Behind Wonder Woman

First of all, thank you Jill for your wonderful idea of letting everyone know about the men behind the Hike Like A Woman Ambassadors.  You can read her full blog post here on her Lollygaggers blog.

The man behind Wonder Woman....

Where do I even begin??? Tim has carried me mentally, physically and emotionally through one of the most difficult and challenging parts of my life. He has helped me to work my way from the wheelchair up to 6 miles of hiking (and he hates hiking!).

He carries me to bed when I am in too much pain to walk. I ask him constantly why he would want to be with a broken girl when there are so many healthy girls out there. He still sees me as Wonder Woman even when I am sobbing from the frustration of not being able to be the me I used to be, from the pain and from countless doctors visits with no answers.

He has made all my dreams come true while carrying me. He took me and my dogs to see the ocean, which was my final wish before I passed away. He got me my dream farm to live on, which brings me so much peace and joy.

He loves me through the good times and the bad (which have been many). I don't know how he does it with the patience and kindness of a saint. I never imagined anyone would love me the way he does, or see me the way he does or stand by me through it all.

I am truly blessed to be loved by this man!

I wouldn't be the strong woman I am today without my Beast giving his strength to me.