Ruth Morley

After living overseas 18 years, I continue to enjoy exploring the world, especially via my own two feet. Doing the 1500 mile GR5 trail from the North Sea to the Mediterranean made me fall in love with long distance hiking. Now that we're back in Ohio, the Appalachian Trail keeps calling me. So in 2017, I answered. I got 500 miles in before tendonitis and the dreaded plantar fasciitis sent me home. I'm healed now, and have enough of my gluten- and dairy-free food dehydrated for 1700 more miles. Will she make it? Did she learn her lesson about not covering too much daily mileage during the first month? Will the body parts cooperate, at least enough to keep on going? I'd truly appreciate your support and encouragement as I give it my SECOND best shot in 2018!

Posts

And the Honeymoon Ends:  Temporary Separation After Just 5 Weeks

And the Honeymoon Ends: Temporary Separation After Just 5 Weeks

Dear Darling AT, I knew the starry-eyed honeymoon phase couldn't last forever. But it still hurts so much to have to face the cruel realities of

Aug 29, 2017 : Ruth Morley
Inside the Mind of This Thru-Hiker on a Typical Day

Inside the Mind of This Thru-Hiker on a Typical Day

A New Day, the Best of Intentions.     Okay, up and at 'em!  A new day on the AT and it looks like beautiful weather.   I'd love

Aug 19, 2017 : Ruth Morley
It’s All Good:  Working Hard on the Trail and Reaping the Benefits

It’s All Good: Working Hard on the Trail and Reaping the Benefits

Things happen for reason. Fate had it that, during the past two weeks, I would have my first two nights' experience of sleeping alone in shelters

Aug 14, 2017 : Ruth Morley
The Tale of Chocoholic and the Three Bears

The Tale of Chocoholic and the Three Bears

Once upon a time... there was a young lady (or so she imagined) named Chocoholic, for she loved dark chocolate to a great

Aug 8, 2017 : Ruth Morley
Sorry, Yogi, not today!

Sorry, Yogi, not today!

It's just Day Two of my projected 90 on the trail. I'm walking alone in a forested area with many bushes.  Hubby is a minute or so ahead of me.

Jul 31, 2017 : Ruth Morley
Why Am I So Nervous?  I’ve Been Waiting So Long For This Moment!

Why Am I So Nervous? I’ve Been Waiting So Long For This Moment!

Okay, now I understand. I've read so many blogs written in the final days before hitting the trail. Just about every one expressed anxiety, self

Jul 23, 2017 : Ruth Morley
Hiker’s Hubby Suspicious of Heated Hanky Panky with Dehydrator

Hiker’s Hubby Suspicious of Heated Hanky Panky with Dehydrator

"I knew something was cooking down in the basement!"  Such was the explosive reaction of the hubby of an aspiring A.T. hiker, as his suspicions were

Jul 9, 2017 : Ruth Morley
My Apprenticeship Week on the AT

My Apprenticeship Week on the AT

"The best way of learning about anything is by doing."  -Richard Branson I presented myself as a novitiate to the Appalachian Trail last week and

May 4, 2017 : Ruth Morley
Stitching and Bitching: Building My Own Gear

Stitching and Bitching: Building My Own Gear

Cut to my last big camping experience:  in January, on the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Temperatures at night dipped into the high 20's.  Using a

Apr 3, 2017 : Ruth Morley
AT Training Hike Carried to an Extreme:  How We Kinda Went Over the Top

AT Training Hike Carried to an Extreme: How We Kinda Went Over the Top

  How it all started Okay, so the husband comes to me in September with a copy of Sierra Magazine in his hand and the suggestion

Feb 4, 2017 : Ruth Morley