This is a photo of a favorite moment in time. It represents so many parts of my life that I love. Hand-knit socks, a hammock, and the woods.
Although I camped as a young person I didn't start camping seriously until I was in my forties. I had been recently divorced and knew that I needed to find a place for me. I needed to reconnect with the woman I used to be. Knitting and camping seemed to be it.
I give credit for my reintroduction to the woods to a man I had been dating. He reminded me that no matter my age or my size I could camp and hike. The only thing that was stopping me was my fear. So I spent a lot of time in the woods and mountains in a tent with him.
After our breakup, I wondered who I would find to camp with me. And one day I thought, why? Why do I need anyone to camp with me? So I did some research, bought a new tent, pulled all my old camping gear out of storage and made a reservation at a state park. It was one of the best things I ever did for myself.
The stories that come after that first weekend could fill a book. A how-to for middle-aged women (or anyone for that matter) on how to start spending more time in the outdoors. I knew I didn't need to climb the mountains or hike the entire Pacific Crest Trail to feel the wonders of the outdoors.
So here I am, beginning a blog and a website so that I can build relationships with women and show them that it can be done.