Bartram Trail 2022
Foothills Trail 2021
Appalachian Trail 2020
Smokies 900 Miler
(18)
If you’ve never hiked with a llama, what are you even doing with your life??
Seriously though, getting a chance to feed, pet and hike on trail with my very own llama was EPIC! I chose the one named Dalai Llama and he was adorable.
What an amazing experience to share with my kids and and a fantastic way to finish out my birthday! 🦙
It was such a surprise to return to work after my vacay to find my entire office decorated for my 50 and be showered with gifts, cake AND lunch.
Thank you and .g.sims for making me feel so loved. 🥰
and I spent several days glamping at Clark’s Hill Lake in Georgia for my 50th birthday and our 7th wedding anniversary. The view from our tent was magical with beautiful sunrises and sunsets overlooking the lake. We hiked, kayaked, played disc golf and even got to see our first armadillo in the wild! Glamping is definitely the way to go for front country camping - it’s easier, less work and more comfy. ⛺️
I also videoed this trip so that’ll be on the Tube soon.
More birthday posts coming…Prepare yourself. 😂
So, this is 50.
Half a century, 5 decades, 18,263 days.
Woah.
Lucky number 7 🖐️✌️
9 years ago this very day Jerry and I met by random chance when a mutual friend visiting from Colorado decided to have a mini middle school reunion at Gatti’s Pizza. We both almost didn’t make it that night, but thank goodness we did. Even though we went to the same middle school, we never really hung out, but our lives paralleled for years until that fateful day. It was only fitting we decided to relive the day our lives changed in that little pizza place in our old home town today. In many ways, much hasn’t changed and in other ways, everything has.
Just a little 11 mile jaunt in the Smokies today with my man ❤️
It’s so hard to believe this time 4 years ago I was one day into my thru hike of the Appalachian Trail walking through several inches of snow not sure if I could complete such an arduous journey.
I remember meeting other thru hikers on the trail who were hiking the AT for a 2nd or 3rd time and thinking, “who would ever wanna rehike this trail?” I can now honestly say 4 years later that I would absolutely rehike it again if time and money allowed. But, there are bills to pay and a life to live outside of the trail and I’m ok with that.
And even though I may never thru hike again, I am grateful for the incredible experience and fond memories from this amazing adventure. It will always hold a special place in my heart and has forever changed me. Heck, I still can’t drive over 65 mph (symptom of walking for 7 months straight I guess) 😂
Today my husband, Jerry turns 18,262 days old. Wow, looking good babe!
Although the snow has thwarted today’s birthday plans, I hope you know how very much I love you. Happy big 5-O Jerry! ❤️
Yay for a snow day! ❄️
About last night…
Happy 2024! 🥳
Happy Halloween witches! 🧙🎃
Just a glimpse into my weekend. 🎃🥾
Today’s hike was unbe-leaf-able with all the colors starting to pop.🍁 🥾
Salem in October was absolutely magical! 3 days just wasn’t enough to see all the historic and wickedly cool places so I’ll definitely be going back! 🧙🔮
🎥 vid link in comments👇
It’s giving big witch energy…
🧙
Happy first day of fall y’all! So ready for my favorite season! 🍁🎃👻
More artwork for my collection ❤️
14 miles hits different after months of not hiking. Walking might be a problem tomorrow.
Workin' 9 to 5, what a way to make a livin’ 🎵❤️
I can go days without a shower, sleeping on the ground, dirt under my fingernails, chilling with the bugs and wildlife, but I’m also a woman who likes to get dressed up, nails and hair done with a little bit of sparkle. ✨ It’s all about balance. 😉
POV: When you’re job let’s you do fun things like go whitewater rafting
I may not hike everyday now but I still get to do fun things with fun people.
It was such an amazing day for a hike with my guy! It’s been way too long since I went hiking and way too long since I jumped on here and said hi….
Hi y’all! 👋
Today, I traded in my hiking boots for dress boots and I ain’t even mad about it. Looking forward to a new year and new beginnings!
But don’t worry though - I’ll still get some hikes in and my new job involves working on some pretty cool stuff like info about the trails in the Smokies so stay tuned! ✌️😁
Here’s to another year of mountains, coffee and campfires. ⛰️ ☕️ 🔥 See y’all next year! 👋 😜
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Hoody and hat available to purchase ↠ ↠ https://www.customizedgirl.com/s/hikingwithbraids
Recently Jerry and I did an overnight trip to Gatlinburg to see Anakeesta's Astra Lumina light show which is the very first of its kind in the US! We stayed at the Greystone Lodge, visited Ripley's Aquarium and hiked to Rainbow Falls in the Great Smoky Mountains. The lights were absolutely fantastic and it made for a great pre-holiday trip!
🎥 https://youtu.be/SHixXEyD5jk
Merry Christmas from our family to yours! 🎄
2 years ago today I finished my 2020 Appalachian Trail flip flop thru hike with the ponies in Grayson Highlands.
In some ways it’s hard to believe it’s already been two years since I finished my hike and in other ways it feels like my hike happened a lifetime ago. Sometimes I miss being out in the woods every day only having to hike, eat and sleep but other times like today when the real feel is -15 degrees, I’m glad to be snuggled up warm in my home with my hubby.
Many things are changing for me in 2023 and so another thru hike most likely won’t be in my future anytime soon but the Appalachian Trail will always be a part of my heart and soul. It’s an experience I will never forget and probably something I’ll continue to talk about from time to time. 😉
**check out the grin on that pony - he’s happy I finished 😂
It’s been awhile since I did some backpacking and I’ve really missed it. So I think it’s time for me to start planning trips for 2023. 😁
And there’s a good possibility I’ll be doing many of these trips alone, but even when I go with others, I always prefer planning as though I’m going alone. Many hikers like to share gear on a trip, but it’s always better if everyone carries their own gear in case someone forgets something or that person can’t make the trip.
Planning for the worst case scenario, being prepared and putting safety first is the only way to backpack IMO.
So if you’ve ever wanted to solo backpack but have no idea how to plan or overcome the fear of sleeping alone - I made a new video which shows you how to plan for a solo backpacking trip and tips for backpacking alone.
Watch it here ⬇️
🎥 https://youtu.be/UM9yDxdjiFY
There aren’t enough words to describe how incredibly proud I am of this beautiful young woman. Today, my daughter Ashley graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering. She is one of the smartest, most hard-working, responsible, level-headed women I have ever known and I couldn’t be more proud to be her mama. ❤️👩🎓
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I recently bought a new pack and decided it was FINALLY time to add my Appalachian Trail thru hike patch and my Smokies 900 miler patch. I don’t usually share this kinda stuff because I always assume everyone already knows how to do these things, but hey, maybe I’m wrong. 🤷🏼♀️ So here’s an easy way to add patches to your pack - now seeing required! And this method not only keeps your pack hole free but it also lets you change out your patches whenever you want! 👍 If you buy the industrial strength Velcro these will not fall off! ✌️#hiking #hikinghacks #backpacking #backpackinghacks #backpackinggear #hikinggear #appalachiantrail
Our Halloween hike this year was absolutely epic as we not only dressed as llamas, but also saw the Leconte llamas on the trail! This hike was a last minute decision as we had originally planned to do a spooky backpacking trip but the rain changed our plans and I made these costumes super last minute and I’m so glad everything worked out how it did! We had such a fun time! Check out the full video on my YT channel. Follow @hikingwithbraids for more 🥾🐻🦙🌲#hiking #lecontellamas #llamas #greatsmokymountains #coupleswhohike #couplescostume #halloweenhike #halloween #smokymountains #mtlecontelodge
I love finding new trails and seeing new views especially close to home. ♥️ Come hike with me ➡️ check out the full 🎥 https://youtu.be/dhLZKE_kY68
Day 4 on the Bartram trail started and ended tough. We began the day climbing steeply for several miles till the trail intersected with the AT for a few miles. It was nice to be back on the Appalachian Trail for a bit but as I hiked a thunderstorm started brewing and rain soon began. By the time I reached Wayah Bald the rain had turned to sleet and it was brutally cold. I made the mistake of leaving my gloves in my pack and my hands quickly numbed from the cold. It was hard to see through the wind and sleet so I quickly hiked to get over the mountain. I was possibly pre-hypothermic as I began feeling extremely tired and a little disoriented with thoughts of just stopping on the trail and laying down for a quick nap. I realized I wasn’t thinking rationally so I literally slapped my face and hiked as fast as I could to finally reach camp soaked to the bone, but Marcy was there waiting and made some hot chocolate to help warm me up. I hurriedly set up my tent in the rain and changed into warm clothes in my tent. I was so glad I’d made it safely to camp because my rain gear no longer worked for hiking. Even if rain gear can’t keep you dry, it at least needs to keep you warm and my gear wasn’t plus my rain pants had ripped at the seams while I was hiking. This was a rough day for sure but I was so glad I had my friend @marcyjhousel there with me.
For those who haven’t yet watched my documentary, Call of the Wild, here’s a little taste. Watch the full video here 👉 https://youtu.be/0IAzGhfG90s
When I was out on my thru hike I got pretty bored pretty quickly of mashed potatoes and ramen so I tried when possible to amp up my backpacking meals as easy, simple and cheap as I could. I found condiments from fast food restaurants to be my best friend and found several meal ideas with ingredients that were still pretty lightweight to carry. This clip is just one of the recipes I came up with and I share 9 more recipes in my latest video on YouTube. 😋✌️ 10 Backpacking DINNER recipe ideas to use out on the trail - thru hiker friendly! https://youtu.be/-G9cQ0dM9Cs
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