I wrote the below post one year ago today for Backcountry Women. To my recollection, hosting the Ten Essentials of Hiking talk was the first event that I led with Backcountry Women. It felt like way longer than just a year ago when I saw the memory pop up on Facebook. Time flies when you … Continue reading The Tenderfoot Hiker and the Ten Essentials
I've had some writers block with my blog even though my head has been buried deep in my journal. I have documented my experience with COVID-19, from sun up to sun down. I have been writing in it numerous times a day from what political and medical leaders are saying to how things are going … Continue reading Why I Journal While Hiking
Four years ago on February 14th, I decided to love myself more than ever before. My journey has had extremes, valleys, tears, pride, and every other emotion in between. I have learned to delve deep these last four years to seek what is important to me. My needs have changed along the way. I have … Continue reading Celebrating Four Years of Being Alcohol Free
I recently read Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert and there is a section in the book that resonated with me. Gilbert describes possessing a creative mind is like having a border collie for a pet. Without a job, that breed of dog can become destructive and will eat the couch and drywall. She asks us … Continue reading Mission Accomplished: Certify as a Field Leader
Within my role at Backcountry Women, I started a Monthly Members “Fireside” Chat. It is an informal yet structured and unique learning opportunity that brings women together to talk about topics related to the outdoors. The goal is to learn from one another, meet new people, and enjoy local restaurants. We went to Prairie Ink … Continue reading Packing Our Fears
I drove down Euclid Avenue in the Point Douglas area of Winnipeg this morning. Tears formed in my eyes as I saw child after child walking to school. Many of the children were not wearing ski pants, they had flimsy ear muffs and hoods instead of toques, running shoes instead of boots, and no scarves. … Continue reading Empowering Women Off the Trail
I joined Backcountry Women this morning for a hike around Birds Hill Park but I unfortunately needed to cut my participation short. With the temperature hovering around -28°C, my asthma acted up and I had a hard time controlling my breathing. After communicating with the group leader, I slowly made my way back to the … Continue reading To Feel Something
As much as I loved our first apartment with my husband that was on the 14th floor of an apartment building that overlooked the beautiful Assiniboine River and Manitoba Legislative grounds, I rarely went outside onto the balcony. It would freak me out when he sat on the balcony to watch storms roll in or … Continue reading Climbing to New Heights
I spent Saturday afternoon at Spruce Woods Provincial Park with Backcountry Women where we learned winter survival skills with Jen, a Manitoba Parks Interpreter. Provincial Parks around Manitoba offer a variety of programs and workshops to the public. Assiniboine River My main goal with the workshop was to learn more about making and maintaining fires. … Continue reading Expect the Best and Plan for the Worst: Winter Survival Skills
Wild Woman Wisdom 