The topic of time comes up for me again and again. That reoccurring panic where I feel I don’t have enough time. I know this is not true, of course I have time. I’ve heard all the tips and tricks for maximizing time and time management, yet I always find myself settling back into my day-to-day pattern and routine. I have a familiar tempo and flow for how I move about my days. Is it wrong? Is it inefficient? Nope. Yet my mind tells me I haven’t done enough, I should have done this, but instead I did that. At the end of the day, if I look at my list of all I’ve accomplished - I did enough - and the journey will continue tomorrow. This journey is LIFE. Let’s imagine our lives as a long trail.

Each day you set out with your loaded pack with all the things you carry, your home, your job, relationships, health, creativity, and all your responsibilities. Along the trail there are maintenance tasks - checking the map, clearing a path, repairing gear, refilling water - these are your chores and daily necessities. These things matter because they allow you to keep moving forward. But if you spend your entire day doing trail maintenance, you may never reach the quiet forest, the overlook, and the beautiful places that drew you to the trail in the first place.

Your daily goals that you set are the trail markers pointing toward a destination that only you can reach because they matter to you.

Your relationships - your friends, family, and acquaintances are the hikers that are with you on this journey. The conversations at the campsite, the shared meals, the experiences, challenges, celebrations, and the laughter are what makes the miles feel lighter.

Your joy and play are the rest stops beside a mountain spring. It’s not wasted time. It’s where you restore your strength so you can continue the journey. Don’t wait to enjoy the view. There will always be another mile ahead, another task, another thing to do.

Ask yourself - what part of this trail deserves my attention today? Some days you’ll hike further, some days you’ll stop early to rest, some days you’ll take a side path because it brings you joy. It’s all a part of the journey. The chores will still be there tomorrow. The trail keeps going. If you’re only focused on maintaining the path you’ll forget to walk the path.

I interviewed both Jennifer and Sarah because I wanted them to share their snow camping experience with others who may be snow camping curious. I asked them to share their truth - the good, the bad, and the ugly - no holding back. So enjoy Jennifer and Sarah’s unedited, unscripted answers to my questions about their experience on our January 2026 snow camping trip. As an added bonus I answered my own questions to give our readers yet another perspective on snow camping. Enjoy!

An Interview with Jennifer and Sarah

Question #1 - What did you enjoy most on our overnight snow camping trip?

Jen’s Answer - Getting out in nature with awesome women in a new shared experience.

Sarah’s Answer - Besides getting a good night sleep, hanging out with like-minded people.

Deann’s Answer - I loved hanging out with Jen and Sarah while basking in our joy and delight. I loved digging snow - it’s so satisfying.

Question #2 - What did you dislike on our overnight snow camping trip?

Jen’s Answer - Nothing to dislike. Maybe a little more snow would’ve been nice.

Sarah’s Answer - Nothing.

Deann’s Answer - I got a little cold at night - I was surprised - maybe my bag is getting old and I need to invest in a silk liner for next time. I wished there was more snow on the approach.

Question #3 - Did you feel prepared? And what would you do differently next time?

Jen’s Answer - I felt adequately prepared. I would have brought a book for next time.

Sarah’s Answer - I would have checked my gear and brought a smaller water bottle. [Sarah’s loaner snowshoes broke on our approach - but good news - we were able to patch them up for the remainder of the trip.]

Deann’s Answer - I felt prepared and wouldn’t have done anything differently.

Question #4 - Share a laughable moment if you experienced one.

Jen’s Answer - I had a laughable moment when I got into my tent and realized how cold I was from the bottom down (my ass was freezing) and wished I had put on my snow pants before getting into my tent. I wasn’t sure how to maneuver my pants on in my cocoon tent - the thought of it had me laughing out loud.

Sarah’s Answer - Loved the dancing.

Deann’s Answer - I loved it when I was in my tent all snuggled in, while Jen and Sarah stayed up to star-gaze. They spotted a fire works display from a distant ski resort - listening to them ooh and aah made me laugh. I was tempted to get up and join them but that would have required shoes and layered clothing. I decided to experience it vicariously through their LOL delight.

Question #5 - Is there anything you wished you left behind? Anything you wished you brought that you didn’t have?

Jen’s Answer - I wish I had a warm camp slipper.

Sarah’s Answer - I think I used everything I packed. I would have brought an extra sleeping pad.

Deann’s Answer - I wouldn’t have left anything behind - I packed what I needed. I would have brought a good book - it would have been worth the extra weight. A good page-turner is a must if you go to bed when the sun goes down.

Question #6 - Do you have any camping advise for our snow camping curious readers?

Jen’s Answer - Yes, be curious and just do it. You won’t regret it. At least go for one night.

Sarah’s Answer - You’ve gotta try it.

Deann’s Answer - If it’s something you think you want to try then DO IT! I believe it’s important for women to challenge themselves and to push outside our comfort zones - I always feel so energetic and ALIVE when I do. Go with someone experienced and pack well.

Question #7 - Would you go snow camping in the future? Why or why not?

Jen’s Answer - Yes. It’s much cleaner than dirt camping - that’s a plus.

Sarah’s Answer - Yes. I would go snow camping again because it’s so peaceful and beautiful. It’s worth every minute.

Deann’s Answer - Hell YES! It had been many years since I last snow camped and I was pleasantly surprised how much I still enjoy it - there’s nothing like it.

Bonus Question - Can you summarize our trip in one word?

Jen’s Answer - Memorable

Sarah’s Answer - Exhilarating

Deann’s Answer - EPIC!

Ingredients:

At home:

Place the following ingredients in a ziplock baggie or reusable lightweight baggie.

1/2 C Potato Flakes (Instant Mashed Potatoes) - I use Bob’s Red Mill

1 Tbs Milk Powder - I use Bob’s Red Mill

1/2 C Stuffing Mix - Store-bought or make your own

1/4 C TVP Textured Vegetable Protein or Plant-Based Meatless Crumbles

1 tsp dried white onion - I use Harmony House

1 tsp dried celery - Harmony House

Salt and pepper to taste

Pinch of dried or fresh sage (optional)

In a separate baggie or small container, pack 1 to 2 Tbs of dried cranberries and 1 tsp of Ghee

At camp:

Boil 1 cup water, add water slowly with ghee to dry ingredients while mixing until you get the right consistency - not too soupy and not too pasty - you may not need the full cup of water. If you are eating from your pot, boil about 3/4 cup of water, add dry ingredients with ghee then add more water if needed. Allow to sit (covered) for about 5 minutes until hydrated. Add cranberries just before eating.

Give thanks and enjoy!

In this past decade, strength has become more than a goal for me - it’s become a way of life. When I was a child, I made up a super-hero name for myself - Green Kingdom. It seems funny to me now, as awkward, shy girl, whose face would turn red at the slightest attention from another. I suppose making up a fictious name and persona helped me to feel more powerful. I used my super power strength to defend and protect against sibling fights between myself and my two sisters. I would announce in a deep, confident voice - “Green Kingdom to the rescue,” and playfully tumble with my sisters. Green Kingdom faded from my memory but my desire to be super remains.

In my 30s I discovered endurance. I ran a marathon - obsessed with getting over the finish line, I climbed mountains - focused with getting to the summit. I trained my body by running and hiking, pushing through the miles with determination. In looking back, I feel it was mostly my mental strength that carried me to the finish. I avoided the strength portion of my training, simply because I didn’t find the joy in it. I didn’t really see the point as an active 30 and 40 something. But then as I approached my late 40s, I wondered what it feel like to have muscular strength, not just endurance, but true strength. What would it feel like to look strong and be strong in every sense of the word?

My initial start was not easy, but I was determined. I found my gym at CrossFit with amazing trainers and a welcoming tribe to get me through the first few weeks. Paying for a gym membership also helped motivate me. I had to start slow and work hard. Some of the movements were difficult for me and I felt awkward and weak, but I kept showing up. I had to because I made a commitment to myself and I enjoyed being with my new workout tribe who believed in me and would cheer me on. I’d show up every day, not just to train, but to grow. It became something I craved, a daily ritual that sharpens who I am - inside and out. The reps I put in fuels not just my body but my mind. Through continuous and constant effort, I’ve found mental clarity and resilience.

As I look toward my future, as a 56 year old woman, I want to move through my late 50s and well into my 80s and 90s with strength, mobility, and freedom. I want to continue doing the activities that I love - hiking, rucking, backpacking, mountain biking, paddling, weightlifting. When I’m out on the trail, I want to feel powerful on the climb and sure-footed on the descent. When I carry a load on my back, I know my body - and my frame - can handle it. And when life throws challenges my way, I know I have the strength, the endurance, and the mindset to push through whatever comes my way.

A call to action: If you are ready to embody strength - take action!

• Join a gym - I joined my local CrossFit and received get great coaching and found an amazing supportive community.

• Hire a trainer - Take the time to learn proper form and technique - it’s worth your health and safety.

• Customize and commit to your workout - Set your days and times that you plan to work out - stick to the schedule - no matter what. You’ll only see gains if you keep showing up.

• Have fun - it may seem hard in the beginning - I had plenty of days where I felt weak, tired, and defeated, but I kept showing up and tracked my progress. You will find that you will soon have more strength and energy for the activities that you love - or maybe you’ll feel inspired to take on a new activity or sport.

If you already embody strength - share this post with a friend that you think might enjoy it.

• Pat yourself on the pack - you are on your wellness journey! Yay to you!

• Keep going and growing - is it time for a new goal or challenge? It can be something big or small.

• Inspire others - the most powerful way to inspire others is by doing your own work with passion and purpose. When you show up fully, committed to your growth and truth, you radiate a beautiful bright light that’s impossible to ignore. Your energy, your glow, your confidence - without words, these become a silent invitation for others to shine their beautiful bright light.

Coming home to nature means you are revisiting that place where you can truly be yourself - no masks, no titles, no expectations - simply falling into the arms of our great Mother. Feeling seen and heard and knowing you belong. Taking up space and breathing deeply. Owning the space, caring for it, respecting it, and feeling gratitude and appreciation for it. It doesn’t matter how you move, whether you travel fast or slow, the ground does not measure your speed or saunter, or whether you walk with purpose or take time to ponder. The moment you pull up in the parking lot, open your car door and step your feet on the ground, you have arrived. The trail is the way. Your campsite is your destination. Let your walk be the walk of familiarity, comfort, and curiosity. Show kindness and love to yourself, and to your amazing body, your fabulous feet leading the way, and your sturdy back and core holding your pack with everything you need inside. Look how far you’ve come already. All the planning and preparations you’ve made. You are home, the door is always open. Keep walking as you bask in the beauty, in the bounty, and in the glory of our Great Mother. You are HOME.

But here’s a new twist on the word EPIC -

• Energetic

• Playful

• Inspiring

• Curious

It’s a call to action - a way of being. It’s an invitation to observe your life through a different lens. Play around with it, see how these words show up in your life. Can you bring more energy into your actions? What does vitality mean to you? What might shift if you bring a little playfulness or spontaneity into your day? Be inspired to do something creative - something new that lights you up - because it is your light that will lead you toward an epic life and will inspire others. Can you wander with wonder, rather than verify or conclude and allow curiosity to bloom for its own wild, beautiful sake?

Now get out there - and be EPIC! And if you like this post - please share this Trail Crumb with a friend.

I love music that connects me to nature. Songs that feel expansive where I feel I’m dancing on a mountain summit, or songs that bring me deep into my own inner landscape, where I feel connected to myself and to the earth beneath my feet.

Rob Riccardo’s music does this for me. It’s soulful, expansive, reflective, and grounding. I’d like to share with you one of his songs and invite you on a journaling exploration.

1. Click on the link below to hear the song. If inspired, sing along, move to the music, or close your eyes and take it all in.

“Feed Your Soul” - YouTube Link

2. Read the lyrics below…

CHORUS

Well I don’t know

But I’ve been told

You’ll never grow up

If you feed your soul

Like a child

You will run

Free and wild

Under the sun

You and me we’ve been running out of patience

Measuring all the days by the hours and the paychecks

Digging for a meaning we’ve been reading all the same texts

Two days of rest and then its off to the races

Again, Hey, I know my friend

Always hoping that the answer is around the bend

Well bend we will, but we won’t break

Because today is a good day to make a change

Take a’ me back to the days when I was younger

Living it every day with a fire and a hunger

Had no ties to suits and ties,

Fancy shoes and Monday blues

Work commutes and conference rooms

All the things that I told you

I would never do

Something’s gotta change

BRIDGE

I think my soul, think my soul needs feeding

Fill it up with the good stuff

Like the woman that you love

and the coffee in your cup

Oh, the good stuff

3. Enjoy the writing prompts below, or explore your own prompts inspired by his song…

Rob invites us to remember what once fed our souls and suggests that our soul needs feeding. In his youth he remembers living it every day with a fire and a hunger and today is a good day to make a change.

How will you bring back that fire and hunger and fill your soul up with “the good stuff?”

What is “the good stuff” that feeds your soul? Rob suggests it can be as big as loving someone or as simple as a cup of coffee. Make a list of your “good stuff” or the things that “feed your soul.” In other words - What lights you up? What do you look forward to? What energizes you, rather then depletes you?

In Riccardo’s line - “Two days of rest and then its off to the races” - How can you make feeding your soul part of your daily routine? What would it look like to live with a fire and hunger? Can you slow your pace down and enjoy life more?

Read more

Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies

Ingredients

• 2/3 cup sweet potato puree

• 1/4 cup coconut oil - liquid but not hot

• 1/4 cup maple syrup

• 2 eggs

• 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats

• 3/4 cup old-fashioned rolled oats made into oat flour

• 1/2 cup dried cranberries

• 1/2 cup chopped pecans

• 1/4 cup ground flaxseed

• 1/2 tsp cardamom

• 1/4 tsp sea salt

Preheat the oven to 350F.

Add eggs to a bowl and whisk well, then add coconut oil and maple syrup, and lastly completely cooled down sweet potato puree and whisk until well combined.

Add the oat flour, the whole oats, ground flaxseed, chopped pecans, cardamom, sea salt, and dried cranberries to a large bowl. Lightly mix together.

Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and use a spatula to combine them. Take your time for this step as the oat flour will absorb the liquid slowly and the dough will become thicker over time.

To form uniform-sized cookies use a 1/4 cup measuring spoon to measure the amount of dough for each cookie. If you clean out the measuring cup each time before forming a new cookie it's easier to get the dough out in one movement. Use the back of the measuring cup to press the dough to about 1/2" thickness.

Bake the cookies for 18-22 minutes or until golden. Then leave on the baking sheet for a couple of minutes until you can touch them and transfer to a cooling rack.

Nutrition

Calories: 230kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 33mg | Sodium: 80mg | Potassium: 225mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 3635IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 1mg

Recipe source - https://greenhealthycooking.com/oatmeal-breakfast-cookies/#wprm-recipe-container-10248

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Welcome Trailblazer!

I’m so happy you found my Substack! If you love walking, hiking, rucking, or backpacking, then you are definitely on the right track! Read on and follow my Trail Crumbs for stories of inspiration, recipes to take on the trail, songs inspired by nature, journal prompts to awaken your wild spirit, and much more.

Shout it from the mountain tops!

Writing is my creative outlet, nature is my muse, and Substack is my new home to share my writings with you. I’m excited to connect with you and the Substack community as we explore new horizons. We’re going to climb this mountain, one step at a time, one word at a time, one post at a time and I’m thrilled you have chosen to join me on this journey.

Let the adventure begin!

My main mission is to inspire you to experience nature, to get outside, and more importantly, get outside your comfort zone. I want my posts to move you, excite you, and connect with you. I truly want to expand our community of like-minded adventure curious folks. And I want to hear from you. What inspires you? What adventures do you seek? When do you experience awe and wonder?

Follow the Crumbs!

We’re at the trailhead - locked, loaded, and ready to go. Come along, follow the Trail Crumbs to keep us moving forward - a blog post, a poem, a song, a writing prompt invitation, a hiking challenge, a trail recipe, an inspiring photo, a video - there’s so much to explore! And if you like what you see - please share with your friends. Let’s grow this community together.

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