"Just Get Me to a Trail Where I Can Cry"
I was only a half-mile away from my car but it felt forever away. All I could do is make it to a nearby bench and sit. That's when I started to think that grief is a little like a backpack. Not the ultralight variety of silnylon and trimmed straps. But the extended, solo, expedition through extreme environments type of pack. The kind that rubs your shoulders and hips raw and makes your whole body feel leaden. The “I’m not gonna make it unless I can lighten my load” kind of pack.
And then I thought… if grief truly is like a pack then maybe there is a way to make it lighter?!
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My (Cold, Rainy, Miserable) Winter Hike in Shenandoah - And Why I Can’t Wait to Go Back By Brew Davis
DISCLAIMER: If you’re an experienced winter hiker, this hike report is probably not for you. You’ll end up saying “duh” a lot and I’ll just be showing my ignorance. But… if you’re like me, if you grew up in the South, are an ultralight hiker who prefers to go light and fast, and would consider yourself a "beginner" winter hiker even though you have hiked a lot in other seasons, I hope these takeaways and lessons learned can benefit you. So here goes…
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Can you taste a place?
Every place has a taste, personality, and spirit—organic qualities that make a community unique. Terroir is the story of soil and climate, yes—but also of people, parks, bakeries, sidewalks, and conversations. It’s the feeling you get when you slow down long enough to notice where you are.
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Rome Travel Tips
If you’re considering Rome, I hope these tips help you optimize your experience—whether you’re hoping to save money, avoid crowds, pack light, or find the best gelato.
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The Head, Shoulder, Knees and Toes of Winter Hiking
Cold-weather hiking success comes down to thinking in systems. Every item you wear or carry should support the others. Manage moisture, protect extremities, fuel your body, and be ready for changing conditions. It also has a lot to do with trial and error - and personal preferences. By sharing some of my favorites I hope I can reduce the trials and prevent some errors.
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That's Not Professional!
“That’s not professional!” That’s what I think (and sometimes hear) when, each January, I chop off my hair with one fell swoop. And it always causes me to pause and think about beauty, and beauty standards, and professionalism, and professional dress - where and how it matters and my relationship with it all. And because I process best when I write, it becomes a blog. So here you go…
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Your (Outdoor) Key to the Keys
For years, the Pharr Davis Crew has loved “thawing out” in Florida in the winter. This year, we had the chance to “glamp” for the first time at Camp Sawyer near Big Pine Key. It made for an amazing trip and was the perfect blend of time outdoors, good food (and drink) and sightseeing. Here were some of our highlights…
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2026 Word of the Year
Now, in an age of social media and AI, it feels more important than ever to search and struggle for what is real. Growing up, we always envisioned the battle against the machines to be some Terminator like apocalypse. But maybe our war is far more subtle and subversive. Perhaps our great resistance will be found in not allowing the TV or NEWS or Social Media to take over our brains.
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Are You Addicted?
We live in a phone addicted society: social media, texting, 24-7 news, online gaming, and the device itself with the constant stream of glowing lights and notifications. It’s designed to hook us and keep us distracted.
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Endurance -> Character -> Hope
Hardship brings hurt, and stress, and anxiety, and challenges, and tears - and a new perspective.
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