Mantario South to Caribou East

When talking about my hiking and backpacking pace, I joke that I am an overweight asthmatic. It is also the truth. I feel no shame and in fact, I use the way my body is as a source of empowerment and motivation. My body is powerful and strong and is capable of doing incredible things. … Continue reading Mantario South to Caribou East

Trusting Ourselves

My daughter and I are cut from the same cloth and sometimes it creates challenges because we are both relentless, independent, and strong-willed. We are also both kindhearted, loving, and charismatic so overall, we are well-rounded and awesome. Our strong personalities sometimes get the best of us. It's not something I am proud of and … Continue reading Trusting Ourselves

This is just the beginning

The Appalachian Trail awaits my footsteps. I will begin my longest and most challenging hike in just two weeks. When I come face to face with difficulty on the trail, I will remember to give myself grace. I know I will feel sore, my feet will blister, and my legs will scream as I climb … Continue reading This is just the beginning

Beyond the Black

This is the second last video in my solo Mantario series. This video is by far the most important. Thank you in advance for watching and listening. If you share only one of my videos with your friends and family, I want it to be episode 8. The trail transforms those who are open to … Continue reading Beyond the Black

The Strength Within

I have two videos of my Mantario solo adventure to share with you today. The hidden strength that lied beneath my surface filled me with astonishment. You will see that I am huffing and puffing as I climb a hill in episode six, stopping to not only take in the view but to give my … Continue reading The Strength Within

Wonder Woman on the Trail

I made a number of videos on Mantario as a way to occupy myself. I am still learning how to edit videos so some of what I talk about in this video are pick ups from conversations I had with myself in previous videos that I am not posting. I may practice splicing some of … Continue reading Wonder Woman on the Trail

Being Free while Solo Hiking

I arrived to Caribou Lake on Mantario around 2:30 in the afternoon and after setting up my tent and having dinner, I crawled into my tent to close my eyes for a few minutes. I tried laying on different rocks but like Goldilocks, I couldn't get comfortable. I emerged from my tent an hour or … Continue reading Being Free while Solo Hiking

Choose Love

I came to a cross roads on Mantario trail and I didn't know which way to go. Episode two of my solo Mantario adventure explains why I chose the route I did. As I continued on my way to the campsite, I saw repeated arrows guideding me. I was confident I was going to reach … Continue reading Choose Love

Hiker Grossness on Mantario

I woke up on Monday morning and I swear I still smelled like bush with lingering bug spray, sweat, and snot. I scrubbed myself again and straightened my hair, proudly leaving for the day with a bounce in my step. I can only imagine how I am going to smell when I hike an intense … Continue reading Hiker Grossness on Mantario

Soulful Solo Hike

I ventured into the wide open wilderness on Mantario trail. Mantario is boasted as one of the most challenging trails in Manitoba and winds through constant ups and downs over granite rock, boggy forests, dense bushes, fallen trees, and creek crossings. My confidence was strong and I felt courageous, brave, and capable. I was motivated … Continue reading Soulful Solo Hike