Better Late Than Never!

So, I have now been out on the Appalachian Trail for almost 2 months. Time flies when you're having fun right? I will be reaching the 600 mile mark within the next day of hiking, which means I am officially over 1/4 of the way through the trail. 

While each day holds surprises and opportunities for learning, I feel like I have adapted to life outdoors well. 

Here goes! 15 things I have learned on the A.T.

1. Appreciate the little things. 

Running water, electricity outlets, etc.. these are luxuries on the trail. 

2. Every step counts. 

Whether it is a day when you feel like you are flying down the trail, barely touching the ground, or a struggle fest, every step is an accomplishment. Look how they have added up already! 

3. Other hikers are amazing! 

The friends I have made on the trail are all unique and wonderful people. Even though I was the newbie, they were incredibly welcoming and willing to help me as I found my feet the first few weeks. Thank you! 

4. Peanut Butter is a miracle food. 

Enough said. 

5. That noise is not a bear... 

... but it may be a skunk or a porcupine. 

6. If you cannot find the next blaze, look up. 

Most likely, it is on top of the rock ledge you are standing beneath. 

7. Early to bed, early to rise.

It is not uncommon to go to bed before the sun is down. Hiker midnight is 9pm. Maybe by the end of this trip I will be healthy, wealthy and wise? 

8. It is okay to take candy from strangers. 

Trail magic has changed the entire attitude of my day multiple times! Always unexpected, always appreciated. A cold soda, a candy bar or other food, all provided by strangers (better known as Trail Angels). 

9.Not everyday is sunshine and summits. 

There have been days (and will probably be more) when I have been sore, tired and not in the mood to hike. It is a challenging journey, but working for the miles makes them that much more rewarding. 

10. Pizza motivates. 

Knowing there is hot food at the end of a long day is an amazing thing. 

11. Embrace the stink. 

Hiking hygiene is not usually pretty picture. It is not pleasant to wear the same smelly, likely still damp clothes day after day. But the stink means you worked hard! So, "You stink!" is actually  a great compliment... 

12. Hiking is not simple. 

Although hiking simplifies a lot of aspects, resupplying food, maintaining gear and getting to camp each night can be stressful. 

13. It's okay to butt slide. 

One of the first things I learned on trail is risk management. There are many things in the woods that make me uncomfortable. Steep descents are one, and I learned there is no shame in sitting on the trail and scooting if it gets me to Katadhin unbroken. 

14. My body is amazing. 

 When I started, the idea of 10 miles of hiking was daunting. Now that is an easy day. I am continually amazed at the abilities of my body as it becomes stronger and takes me to new places. 

15. I can do this! 

I started the trip doubting whether I would be able to finish this goal, but every day I realize more and more that is it possible. My confidence has grown immensely, and will only continue to do so as I learn and practice new skills. 

Week 1 on the A.T.

Hello from Ranger!
I was given my trail name on day 3, by a Thru-hiker named Obi Trail Kenobi. It was a close call for getting one I could live with, with the options being Fresh Fish ( because I was new to the trail) or Workin on It (because that's what I reponded when asked what my trail name was).

It's been a great experience so far! I have hiked for 8 days now, and reached 79 miles! Much better average mileage than I was expecting. I met some friends along the way as well. Tumbleweed is from Maine and also a female Flip-Flopper, and B.C. is a recent college grad flipping as well. I've had some great laughs with them in the past week.

We all were given the best trail magic possible during our first foray into town. Walking down the road trying our thumbs at getting a ride to Walmart to resupply, we passed by a woman doing yard work. She offered us a cold drink, then a ride and pickup, then proceeded to surpass any expectations by allowing us to take showers, do laundry, sleep in her heated garden shed (much nicer than the trail shelters!) and stuffing us full of steak dinner. A truly amazing lady! We named her Mama Speedbump.


I'm now taking advantage of the Wi-Fi at the Ironmaster's Mansion Hostel (truly a mansion, built in the 1820's) and am about to enjoy a waffle breakfast. Although it's still early in the trip, I decided to treat myself to a nearo day ( nearly no miles walked) and stay overnight to dry out clothes, clean up and pick up mail.

I'm going to be cruising by myself for a bit, seeing if I can catch up to familiar faces, but I also want to enjoy the views while the terrain is still relatively flat, since I know it will not last long!

Happy Trails!!

Gear Test Run

"The world is big and I want to have a good look at it before it gets dark." - John Muir

Last "weekend" I went to Cumberland Gap National Historical Park for a test run of some of my new items of gear. On the agenda to test during the trip: footwear, rain gear, hammock tarp (and remembering how to hang my hammock) my new Sawyer water filter and my legs. 

Leaving from work on Wednesday, I planned a two night jaunt into Friday, leaving time for the trip back home. After a three hour drive, I arrived with just enough time to set up camp in the Wilderness Road campground and settle in for bed. 

The next day I stopped in at the visitor center to get some information on the trails. I was looking to hike 6-8 miles to a back-country site for my second night out. Unfortunately, because of limitations only allowing camping in established back-country campsites,  I learned that my options were a 3 mile trail or a 10 mile trail. 

I grudgingly decided on the 3 mile trail, feeling a bit better when I learned it was the steepest in the park.

Because it was so steep, the ranger recommended a four hour hike time. I left myself five hours in order to have plenty of time before dark to check out the nearby historical Hensley Settlement, set up camp and cook dinner.

I completed the trail in 2 hours. (Legs work. Check!)
I even stopped to get pictures of the beautiful flowers along the way.

Luckily, I had brought a book! After setting up camp, I spent a few relaxing hours reading.

Upon feeling thirsty, I went to test out my new water filter at the water source that was nearby.
 It was absolutely dry.
This unluckily meant that of the 2L of water I had brought, I had about 4 mouthfuls remaining, not enough to cook my dehydrated meal for dinner.

If I was Bear Grylls I would have probably rigged up a solution to obtain water in minutes, but instead I settled in for a dinner of trail mix, washing it down with a package of apple sauce.

Feeling a bit bored, I wandered down the trail to check out the settlement, and started a fire when I returned to camp. (Pretty pleased with my fire starting skills!)

I settled in for the night about 8pm, just in time to prevent getting rained on. My new hammock tarp worked like a charm. It's the ENO Housefly rain tarp and protected me against the rain and wind all through the night. In the morning both my gear and myself were dry!

Although I had left my cookpot out to hopefully catch some rainwater, I only succeeded in getting a half cup, so I decided to pack up and walk back to civilization for a drink. At this point I was going on 19 hours without water.

I hiked back down to the trailhead in a light drizzle, but made good time, heading straight to the local coffeeshop, The Pineapple Tea Room, where the lovely ladies outfitted me with both coffee and a tall glass (or 3) of water.

Although there are always things that cannot be planned for, I felt this trip was a good trial run. Much of my gear was a success, including rain gear and the use of trail runners on slick rocks, and I was able to enjoy the outdoors while seeing some beautiful late spring sights.

2 weeks to the A.T. !!!
AT Hike Charity Donation Link

Seeking Less, Gaining More

"In every walk with nature one recieves far more than he seeks"- John Muir

It's official! I am hiking the Appalachian Trail this summer!

What's that?

Glad you asked! It's one of the oldest long distance hiking trails in the world, stretching from Georgia to Maine, 2189 miles. That is equal to taking 5 million steps over the course of 5-6 months.

I will be hiking the trail in one season, which means that upon completion I will gain the boasting rights of being a thru-hiker. It's a crazy idea right?

I know. It is an idea that I was first introduce to about 5 years ago. I never thought I would be one to tackle this sort of challenge. I am not in the best shape and before about 3 years ago had virtually no outdoor skills.

Since getting into the outdoor field as a career path, I have slowly been building my outdoor repertoire, and testing and growing my self-confidence. Two years ago I got the idea in my head to start saving towards one day stepping foot on the trail. At the time I didn't know when that would be, or how long I would hike. MUCH research, saving, planning and exercising later, that crazy idea has become a dream and in just 30 days will be a reality!!!

I will be leaving from Harper's Ferry, WV May 15th to start my Northbound journey to Maine. After reaching the terminus of the north at Mt. Katadhin, I will come back to WV and then start hiking Southbound to Springer Mountain to complete the trail.

I am incredibly excited to be so close to such an adventure. It is a scary, daunting, exhilarating opportunity. I know I will be learning much about myself, nature and outdoor living along the way.

While my goal this summer is to hike the entire Appalachian Trail, I also am trying to raise money for two separate charities. I understand that there will be moments when I will be tired, hungry, wet, dirty and I'm sure smelly. When the initial infatuation of the trail starts to wane, I do not want my passion for finishing to disappear. I have many reasons for doing the trail (details in a coming post), but I know that working towards these charities will be an additional source of motivation.

I have chosen to raise money for Feed My Starving Children and The Shoe That Grows. Both charities provide much needed items to impoverished people. I hope to raise $1000 (or more!) which would provide 2,000 meals and 33 pairs of shoes. Please check out the link below for more information.

https://www.crowdrise.com/atcharityhike2016/fundraiser/debbrzozowski

First Snow 2016

"January brings the snow, makes our feet and fingers glow." - Sara Coleridge

After a relatively warm winter, even for "the South", here in Kentucky, we received our first snowfall three weeks ago. Along with most of the nation we got snowed in with the Blizzard of 2016. Over 10 inches of snow fell, closing most areas nearby me for 2-3 days. 

Then, as soon as it came, it was gone. In the course of one week, we had three snow days and 60 degree weather. Well, my winter in Florida last year has made me appreciate the finer things in life- like not freezing for 5 months straight! By end of the week, I was so happy to have the opportunity to enjoy warmer temperatures again. 

To take full advantage of the weather, I went outside to enjoy some hiking with a friend at Red River Gorge National Geologic Area. Famous for its views and rock climbing, it also has superb hiking. 

This trip was my second visit to the area. The plan was to hike to the Double Arch Trail, but although the snow had all melted at home, there was still plenty of it in the Gorge, resulting in the trailhead access roads being closed.

Luckily, Natural Bridge State Park was open for business only two miles down the road. (Pick up a map at the lodge) We hiked the Original Trail up to the Natural Bridge. The total loop was only about 1.5 miles, but took over 3 hours because the trail was mostly packed snow and ice. (I was wishing I had brought my YakTrax)

Benefits of less than ideal conditions: the Bridge and the lookout point to ourselves! We made the most of the view by testing out my selfie stick and having some hot chocolate. 

Afterwards we checked out the overlook at Lover's Leap and began our descent via Balanced Rock trail. The other descent options were Needle's Eye or Devil's Gulch, both incredibly steep. 

(Use caution if you choose to hike either route!)

On the way home, we took a detour and drove the scenic loop, checking out the one lane Nada Tunnel.

Our winter adventure was a success! Fingers crossed to an early spring and more adventures soon!