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BillieTreks4Vets

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BillieTreks4Vets

Just your Ordinary Thru Hiking, peak bagging, waterfall loving, Military Mama.

09/17/2023

October 2021-

Mr. Garcia: what do you want to do for your birthday?

Me: Hike Mount Yonah

Mr. Garcia: Can I buy you jewelry instead? How bout a new Diamond ring?

Me: 🤨 I’m hiking Yonah.

After making my plans, I headed to Academy to buy the worst hiking outfit known to man. Looking at that picture now makes me cringe at all the cotton that’s touching my skin. Even the T shirt saying makes me gag a little. But 3 years ago, that outfit was my jam! I really thought Inwas Insta cute. I even purchased brand new Brooks tennis shoes for the occasion!

The morning of my birthday, my husband decided last minute he needed to chaperone me. This caused us to leave the house later than I wanted and resulted in me trying not to show how I annoyed I was with that situation.

We did the obligatory picture pose at the beginning of the trail. I looked through the pictures and scoffed. I look fat. “Take some more and don’t make me look fat”, I fussed at my loving husband.

Still… every picture I looked like a bloated fish out of water. Gosh he’s the worst picture taker in the world. I gave up on the Insta photo and moved on.

It felt very uphill from the start. My husband had this ridiculous yoga mat attached to a stupid backpack stolen from one of our kids for the day. He was what felt like light years in front of me. This also annoyed me. He’s being a show off I thought.

I really couldn’t comprehend why breathing felt like drowning. Every single step was a fight for air. Clearly my lungs mistook this mountain for the death zone of Everest.

Then we came up to what I affectionately named the big ass hill. This was where my first on trail meltdown occurred. Only a quarter of the way up I needed to stop. I couldn’t breathe and my heart was threatening to explode. I spoke what sounded like broken English to anyone passing me.

I…. Gasp* Gasp*….. need… Gasp*… to….GASP* GASP* … rest.

My husband, who appears to be in a full laughing sprint, ( at least that’s how I remember it, but remember I was oxygen deprived) turns and says…. Keep going we can rest at the top of this section.

Clearly the man was trying to unalive me on my birthday.

Through seething clenched teeth, I said in my exorcist voice, “If I say I need to Effing rest…. Then I need to effing rest.

I held back tears of defeat while I rested. That was my first realization that Ibwas seriously out of shape.

We made it to the top and It was time for my photo op. I cringed at every photo. Why couldn’t he take one picture of me that didn’t make me look like such a blimp?

4.5 hours later we made it to our car. Despite my insecurities, challenges, and not one single instagram worthy photo….. I had made it! I tackled Yonah. I survived.

As I lay in bed looking at my bloated pictures it clicked. There was no angle that would make me look thin. I wasn’t slightly overweight. I ranked in the vicinity of obese. I was mortified with myself.

That’s when I decided to do something about it. I loved hiking. I needed to train to hike. Shortly after I got a gym membership. I remember telling the guy my goal was to be strong enough to carry a real pack. He just looked at me like I had lost my mind. He put something stupid together and sent me on my way.

I found a new gym and began training with a trainer. She got my cardio on point.

The following year I went back. This time I could breathe going up. It was still hard. But I could breathe. Success!

Another year has passed and it was time to visit the mountain that got me serious. 90 mins was all it took to hike up and down. 😳

The trail that almost unalived me at first now felt like an easy walk in the park.

The big ass hill was still a big ass hill….. but I breezed up.

There was no magic pill to this success. It didn’t happen overnight. It’s no secret routine. I worked hard for this. I train consistently. I hike consistently. The magic happened only because I made little changes that added up in a big way over time.

But the biggest reward was not the ease of the hike today. Nope. The biggest reward was enjoying a pre birthday hike with my husband and daughter without feeling defeated in my own skin. Today I got to experience a real life do over. This was the birthday experience I wanted in 2021…. And today it was perfect.

Yonah will always be the mountain I measure my progress with. And for that reason, she is my favorite mountain. She’s never afraid to humble me.

Here’s to another year of doing awesome hikes! Till next year Yonah!

09/11/2023

A day of Silence. May we never forget. Take time today to remember. Take the time to educate those who weren’t born or to young to remember. BillieTreks4vets will never forget.

09/03/2023

Bonus footage courtesy of Andrew Plyer

09/03/2023

Andrew: I’m not a kid person.

Me: My daughter wants to come with…. Mind if she tags along?

Andrew: Sure…. Let’s do it 😬

Avery arrived at the rendezvous spot like any typical pr***en in this day and age. Her hiking attire was hidden by a bright red oversized Marine Corp hoodie. Ear buds were perfectly smashed into her ears playing music only her generation can appreciate. Her face was obscured by the hood of her hoodie. What was visible was buried deep in her IPhone. This would be Andrews first impression.

At the car drop I was preoccupied with making sure everything we needed was transferred to the other vehicle. We would leave my car at the end of the trail and ride in Andrews car to the starting point. My manners were left by the wayside as I was hyper focused on ensuring no necessities were left behind. My focus was broken when I heard Andrew introduce himself. She responded with her name, a smile, and a handshake.

Once the necessities were placed in the trunk of his car, we loaded up and headed to the start. Andrew and I carried on as usual. As we were turning onto the Blue Ridge Parkway, I let Andrew know this was her first time on that magical mountainous road.

Like any kid her age she didn’t want to seem overly excited when I pointed out the first opportunity for the rolling mountains. But the mountains would not be ignored. Soon she was straining her neck and had her phone ready to capture the rolling peaks of the Black Mountains.

As we neared our destination I casually reminded Avery she would not be able to hike in her hoodie. Andrew would win her over with his next words.

Andrew: I feel like all kids are born with hoodies attached. Is this true?

Me: they come straight from the womb in them.

Avery: 😆

He continued with a hilarious tale of how some kids in his neighborhood was wearing them in 100 degrees and how hot and uncomfortable he was while sitting in the cool A.C. in his apartment. Not even a dip in the refreshing pool could help him after that sight. Avery laughed. He weaves stories in a tone that sounds literal. He’s completely bullsh*tting, but you can only tell after you’re sucked in. She liked that. Now she was hooked on his every word. The earbuds were placed in their case and never seen again.

We arrived and the first peak to bag was only 300 yards from us. Mount Mitchell is the tallest peak East of the Mississippi. It’s not technically on the trail, but, how could you not summit the beast first?

We started up the beautifully paved trail. Avery skipped in stride side by side with Andrew. Somehow the conversation turned to Xcountry. She exclaimed how she was fighting the urge to run up. Andrew and I agreed we were fighting the urge to gasp for breath just walking. 300 yards of paved trail doesn’t seem like a butt kicker, but it is.

She rounded the corner in excitement. This was a view to behold. She’s been hiking. She’s seen some views. But she’s never witnessed big mountains rolling for what seems forever. Her gazers could barely understand what they were taking in.

When Andrew spoke, she listened. When she asked questions, Andrew would answer. Her curious wonder was contagious.

Now it was time for the meat and potatoes. The Black Crest Mountain trail is rated strenuous. It’s hard. It will be a tough 12 miles. When I told her it’s called “ The Death March” and described as the toughest hike in the East, she gave a brilliant smile. These are the things she loves. When the world thinks it’s not for her, she’s determined to show the world they’re wrong. She accepted the challenge and lead the way.

The real accomplishment was not about her or the difficulties that lay before her on the trail. As much as I love to boast on her athletic abilities, and while it’s true she’s a hiking beast, that isn’t the real story here.

The real story is how an 11 year old lady made an unlikely friend. Somehow she melted the hard shell of a man who isn’t fond of kids. Maybe it was the sight of a red mushroom, or the excitement of an abandoned plane crash. Maybe it was because they share the same care and passion for the wilderness. They both find so much beauty in things most would consider decaying or broken. From salamanders to mushrooms that magically change colors…. They both admire with delicate intentions. Through nature I watched as 2 people became best of friends. Trust was earned. Respect was given.

All hikes have their highs and their lows. There comes a part where it becomes painful. Fatigue of such an exciting journey becomes noticeable. Feet begin to swell and burn despite the $200 you spent to protect them. You literally will feel every single rock under the vibram soles.

The last five miles would prove to be no different. Andrew and I knew she was spent. I was grateful he allowed her the space to process the pain. She handled herself with grace. She wouldn’t admit her pains until Andrew opened up about his. Together they shared a moment as they let it out. I don’t know how long they complained together, but it was exactly what she needed. She found comfort in a friend. It was enough for her to know she was not alone. That little moment gave her the strength to finish.

At the end of the stretch we all celebrated when we reached the car. We had made it. We survived the death march.

On our long journey home with a sleepy voice she spoke. “Mama…. We have the coolest friends.”

Yes we do.

09/01/2023

It will be an absolute honor to attend! ❤️🤍💙

08/23/2023

I’m ready for crisp cool mornings and being able to say “Be Bold and Hike Cold”

08/18/2023

The view from my hammock here at camp is breathtaking. I live a great life!

08/18/2023

After a shakedown…. Pack is weighing in at 22lbs with food. I’m ready.

Time to load up and start this adventure!

08/16/2023

24lbs with food….. y’all know what this means!!! It’s almost go time!!!!

08/10/2023

The Micro Adventurer is headed to middle school! First day of 6th grade!

08/07/2023

Let’s talk about non scale wins.

1. I’m 3 days into 5 days of working out
2. I wore shorts to the gym and no one made fun of the lil dimples on my legs.
3. I’m happy to be back.

It’s so easy to let life take over. Jobs, kids, responsibilities, hobbies can sometimes take away from our goals. I had to remind myself that I train to hike. There will never be enough time. I have to make it. This week I’m focused on making the time to be kind to myself. I’m embracing my dimples. I’m embracing gracefully getting older.

08/05/2023

Me and Lucky Charm took a walk this morning. He said, put your shoes on and come with me. No expectation set. Just me and him and 2 streets. The only expectation was to end the walk when it felt like it was over.

We talked about our week. We talked about our goals. We talked about each of our kids and reveled in their accomplishments. We talked about our ideas. We told some jokes. And because we are us, we absolutely poked fun at one another on various things. We complimented one another on the things we perceived as growth.

2 hours later, when it felt like the walk was done, we had walked 6 whole miles. This might have been my favorite hike to date.

08/03/2023

I asked! You answered! I’ve decided!

This falls solo adventure will be………..

Fontana Dam to Davenport Gap.

07/31/2023

If you had 9 days to burn backpacking….

What trail would you do?

07/31/2023

Had every intention of hitting the gym this morning…… my quads had other plans. Current situation… crying when standing or sitting or breathing.

07/30/2023

New gym shoes! Day one back in the grind. It’s time to get back to the basics. We train to hike.

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Truth

So far 2023 has been amazingly awesome! Gearing up today for a month of pure adventure! Starting next week it’s one adventure packed weekend after another all the way into July!!!!

It’s the Durston Xmid Pro 2 initial set up review!! From stuff sack to full pitch and zero instructions!

In case you haven’t noticed…. I haven’t been hiking a lot lately. Yesterday, as I observed near perfect weather and posts from friends who are killing it out on the trail, I looked at her sweet face. She’s getting older. She’s reaching for me more often. She still wants to be in my presence. My adventure wasn’t in a place where birds sing or where I can hear the soft flutters of butterfly wings. Instead it was with her. I heard her heart race as she picked her favorite outfits for summer. I caught the light in her eyes turn on bright when she was allowed to pick her favorite pieces. I memorized the curves of her smile when she realized the day belonged to her and her alone. At my core, I am a mother. I do mother things. She is one of my most precious creations. The trails will always be there. She, however, will not. My adventure was her. Spending the day in her element and doing what she wanted was beautiful. Balance is beautiful.

It’s a hard day for me. See you laters are the hardest part of being a military mama. It will be another full spin around the sun before we hug again. These military sons of mine…… Gosh they make me so proud. They are the reason I hike. Yeaha they laugh a little at my adventures and at my expense sometimes…. But these boys of mine are part of my core why. Because they sacrifice their personal freedom for mine and yours….. 🥺…… I can’t begin to express my gratitude and pride. We never say goodbye…. It’s too final. Those who know will understand. Instead we share a hug and a hopeful see you later. I pray for them and call and text whenever I can. You may see a grown married man…. But all I see is that goofy long haired hippy skater boy with his Highschool sweetheart. That boy is my baby. It’s hard letting go. Safe travels Nunu and Abby. I truly wish I had 5 more minutes.

The best advice I was given on this hike was to rest at Toxaway.

Foothills Trail Day 2- simms field to just before Fish hatch. #BackPacker #thruhike #nature #naturephotography #videography #video #hikersofinstagram #hikerlife #girlswhohike #solohike #bestdayever #beautifulday #doitscared #adventure #backpacking #bravery

It was a beautiful day!

Fun fact…. Im terrified of heights #backpacking #hike #hikers #hikersofinstagram #girlswhohike #adventure #doitscared #bestdayever #bravery

Especially heart shaped rocks!

BillieTreks4Vets

09/17/2023

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