Blog
Trail Records: Positive or Negative?
After 12 months of traveling the country in a Prius and hiking in 44-states with our infant-turned-toddler, the Pharr Davis family took a 3-week reprieve to rest and recharge at our house in Asheville. The break, which seemed like an eternity in the beginning, was quickly …
Read Full Story • comments (11)
Takeaways of a Section Hiker
Over the past five summers, because of my schedule as a teacher and the fact that I married a trail junkie, I’ve had the good fortune of leaving behind work, bills, and- for all intents and purposes- the world to go for a walk in some of the …
Read Full Story • comments (8)
Mother's Day Remembrance
On book tour, Brew and I try to visit National Park units as often as possible. These landmarks include well-known parks such as Yellowstone or The Great Smoky Mountains, but also encompass National Scenic and Recreation Trails, as well as...
Read Full Story • comments (0)
Astronauts are Campers, too!
When Brew, Charley and I went to Houston on book tour, we took some time to visit the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center. Not only did we get a private tour of the facility, but our family was able to have lunch with two different astronauts. …
Read Full Story • comments (5)
When Quitting is the Right Decision
He has dreamed about it for years. He spent time and money investing in all his gear. He practiced physically; he trained mentally. He even sold his business and gave his family long hugs that would last for five months!
Then, after 28 days of hiking the Appalachian …
Read Full Story • comments (7)
Training - YOUR BRAIN - For the Appalachian Trail
Hikers spends months, sometimes years, preparing for their shot at thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail. They pour through hundreds of gear articles in hopes of cutting their pack weight down a few more ounces. They cook, dehydrate, pack, and ship dozens of priority mail boxes full …
Read Full Story • comments (14)
Fundraising and the Appalachian Trail
A few thousand folks will toe the Appalachian Trail this year with the goal of hiking the entire length of the trail. A few hundred of those folks are using their hike to raise awareness for a cause or raise money for a non-profit.
Fundraising …
Read Full Story • comments (3)
Sawyer: Water Filters and More
Gear Review: Sawyer “Mini” water filter, Picaridin, Permethrin and Deet
When I began my first thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail, I did not carry a water filter. Warren Doyle, who has hiked the entire...
Read Full Story • comments (4)
Going Backwards
During the summer of 2011, I was hiking to the top of Baldpate Mountain in Maine – on Day 5 of the Record Attempt – and I started to feel a really sharp pain in my right shin. By the time I reached the ridgeline, my leg hurt so badly …
Read Full Story • comments (3)
The Trail Taught Me to "Lean In"
I just finished reading the current female business manifesto Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg. And for the record, two thumbs up. I applaud the way that Sandberg urges us to reexamine gender roles in the workplace. But like most business books – and most books in general – …
Read Full Story • one comment
