I know I’m “officially” not supposed to apologize about not blogging because it’s trite and no one cares, but I will anyway.  I’ve been fine.  I guess I can blame it on the hurricane, but that was an awfully long time ago!

All is well here and I’ve been busy, most excitingly launching an incredible program for women planning to hike the Appalachian Trail!  I already have a dozen women signed up and there’s still a week left before it begins, so if you are dreaming of the AT or know a woman who is, please check out or pass on this link for Wild and White Blazing – I’m super-proud of this and loving what I’ve created!

A couple of weeks ago I made an impulsive decision to attend the Appalachian Long Distance Hikers’ Association (ALDHA) “Gathering” – held each October somewhere near the Appalachian Trail.  This year it was in Athens, West Virginia, and while it was a long drive, I’m so glad I went!

I got to sleep in my tent, cook breakfast from the warmth of my cozy sleeping bag, reconnect with people I know and meet new people in the hiking community, and contra dance!  I didn’t realize how much I enjoy contra dancing – it was like accessing my inner third grader – these are the kinds of dances we used to do in elementary school and I loved them so!  I was such a galloper, spinner and skipper back then!

After the conference I took a bit of a detour on the way home to stop at Grayson Highlands State Park, where there are semi-tame ponies right on the Appalachian Trail! They’re fuzzy and adorable.  And the trail there is so beautiful; it looks like Montana!  Enjoy the photos and I hope you’re loving fall (or spring, depending on your hemisphere!)

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