Why This Path?

On the path less traveled; join me if you dare.

[whythispath]

Systemic Solutions to Police Brutality

Systemic Solutions to Police Brutality: A Teacher's Solution to a National Problem

A Teacher’s Solution to a National Problem

It is day seven of civil unrest as the citizens of the United States mourn the loss of George Floyd. Floyd, murdered in broad daylight by the police officer sworn to serve him, is one more black member of our society that was killed by police under unlawful circumstances. The US has an extensive history of US riots, and only a handful are listed to…

View On WordPress

[whythispath]

Your Home Grown Militia

I’ve always held a position of respect and gratitude to our service men and women. Hero’s of the ages defending the ideas and concepts of humanitarianism throughout the world. I might not have always agreed with the orders from politicians that they have been asked to carry out, but I’ve always had faith that they would do everything asked of them with excellence and skill.

It wasn’t until the…

View On WordPress

[whythispath]

Transformation: Not An Overnight Endeavor

Transformation: Not An Overnight Endeavor

The first 6 years after my divorce, my focus was solely on obtaining stability for my children by earning a bachelor’s degree and teaching credential. I put 100% of myself into this goal in an immensely successful way. I graduated with a 3.9GPA, had received scholarships, and began working at a school that ranks at the top of the district.

The next 5 years were dedicated to two goals: 1.)…

View On WordPress

[whythispath]

Conscious Seasonal Shifts: Leaning in to Comfort and Intuition

Conscious Seasonal Shifts: Leaning in to Comfort and Intuition

Yesterday I wrote about the seasonal changes and the comforting habits that I have kept, even to my own detriment. Over the years my comfort habits of Autumn changed, driven by the marketing ploys, consumerism and economic gains. My body has always sensed the turning of the season from summer to autumn by the feelings in the air and the shifts of the sun. In the past this meant harvesting the…

View On WordPress

[whythispath]

Autumn Health Goals

Since we are well into the month of November, I figured it would be silly to start a monthly goal. So, instead I’m going to challenge myself to a seasonal goal. Join me!

Goal Number One: Daily Exercise

When the going gets tough, the tough sit their ass on the couch…. 😖

Seriously, I’ve got to exercise. I know. Know. KNOW. that exercise will make me feel better in every way. How to make…

View On WordPress

[whythispath]

Lifestyle Transformation in a Season of Comfort

Lifestyle Transformation in a Season of Comfort

Embarking on a lifestyle transformation is never an easy decision. You’ve got to give up something in order to bring new things into your life. Habits, ideas, maybe even people need to change in order for true change to take place. Habits that provide comfort are the hardest. As I’ve been slowly correcting the way that I use food and adjusting how I spend my spare time, I’ve become aware of the…

View On WordPress

[whythispath]

Getting Off the Yo-Yo Ride?

Getting Off the Yo-Yo Ride? Will this diet program be my last?

For years I have battled with my health and weight. I remember noticing that I was chubby as early as 8 years old and it caused me some distress all through my pre-teen and teenage years until I took exercise into my own hands and started using diet shakes. It was transformative and then my life took off in a completely different direction and I fell back onto what I thought I knew. Portion…

View On WordPress

[whythispath]

Debt. Debt. And More Debt.

Debt. Debt. And More Debt. How I faced reality and came up with a plan.

After letting auto-pay handle business for the past 6 months and me just living my best life, there came a point when I needed to face reality. I had to look at what kind of havoc ignorance had wrought. Last month the thought of diving into that pit of despair led me to check my balances and then take another break. This month, however, with school back in session and routines working their…

View On WordPress

[whythispath]

Kayak-Camping: Day 0

Today I headed out to Flagstaff, Arizona to pick up equipment to go kayak-camping. Having kayaked several times before, and backpacked, this seems to be a pretty good combo of two things I love to do!

We will launch tomorrow at Bluff, UT which is about 3 hours from Flagstaff. From there, we’ll head down the San Juan River to Mexican Hat. I’m hoping to get a glimpse of the mountain sheep,…

View On WordPress

[whythispath]

Section Hiking the PCT: Day 1

Read about my recent backpacking trip! Section Hiking the PCT: Day 1

My section hike began Thursday with a long drive from Riverside to Ridgecrest where I would be driven to the trail-head. The drive on Highway 395 is one of tedium, with very little to look at until you reach the mountains where Highway 395 meets Highway 14. During the drive I kept myself from thinking too much about what lay ahead.

The drive to Kennedy Meadows was far from tedious. The views…

View On WordPress

[whythispath]

Grounding: Advice to Remember

Grounding: Advice to Remember

My therapist said something to me one time that really stuck with me.

“You don’t want to be blown away by every wind.”

It was really profound because I realized that I was getting yanked around flying through the air by all the bullshit around me. Instead I grounded myself and remembered to be like a strong tree that sways in the wind.

To be strong enough to bend.

Maybe you want to…

View On WordPress

[whythispath]

Backpacking and Self-Image

In mid June, I went on a solo backpacking trip on the PCT. My path took me nearly 40 miles from Kennedy Meadows to Lone Pine. Everyone has been saying things to me like “That’s badass!” or “I’m so proud of you!” Yet, I feel like an impostor. Let me explain.

I have been preparing for this trip mentally for many years. Ever since my very first experience backpacking in 2012 I have been…

View On WordPress

[whythispath]

My Grandpa

Every time I talk to my grandpa he has a life story to share, full of wisdom. I told him about my blisters from my 38 mile hike and he was very firm that I tend to them with exceptional care. He told me about the “biggest man in the world” that died from an untended blister on his heel.

Story has it that when my grandpa was very young he would run along the fence of his house as this giant boy…

View On WordPress

[whythispath]

Section Hiking the PCT

Section Hiking the PCT

Kennedy Meadows to Lone Pine

Earlier this year I obtained wilderness permits to hike the JMT from Devil’s Postpile North to Yosemite’s Happy Isle. You have to do this months in advance, and there is no way to know what the snow conditions will be like in those areas.

Shortly before heading up to the trailhead, I contacted the ranger station. Their advice: If you know how to self arrest…

View On WordPress

[whythispath]

The Golden Hour

The Golden Hour: Part 2 of the Olancha Backpacking Trip

Gaging Station Bridge

Having not prepped for altitude, I was bound to have some problems. Luckily, taking Diamox regularly most likely prevented me from experiencing altitude sickness as severely as I might of otherwise. In addition to the altitude anxiety, I was also testing out my heel from plantar fasciitis for the first time in over 6 weeks. Inherently I knew this was super dumb, but I…

View On WordPress

[whythispath]

Plantar F-ing Fasciitis

I’ve been recovering from Plantar Fasciitis… Oh, yes, you’ve heard of it?! I hadn’t heard about it until I finally dragged myself into the doctor, exhausted, crooked from limping, and desperate. Now I’ve joined the PFF club! It seems that everybody who is anybody in the hiking community has had an experience with such fun as PFF.

I struggled with the PFF with 6 weeks before going to the doctor.…

View On WordPress

[whythispath]

Anxiety, mothering, exhaustion: Vacation here I come.

So, just had a total panic attack while driving home. First, Christiphor just left with Mikayla… basically Mikayla said they were leaving, but usually Christiphor asks or talks to me about when he leaves, so it stressed me out. Then as I drove away I just had this terrible feeling in my chest about him being in a car accident. He wouldn’t answer the phone. And Tony was being all rude about…

View On WordPress