From Sunsets to Storm Clouds

Outer Banks Adventures

July 21st, 2019
By the time you read this, I’ll be heading north (because I got a late start on this whole blog thing). We don’t need to hash out my time in OBX day by day. So, here are some highlights:
- Watched some sunsets
- Ran to the beach and watched a few sunrises (5:30 am)
- Ate lots of fish tacos
- Went kayaking
- Read Mere Christianity on the beach (I always take this book to weird places)
- Made eclairs
- Visited lighthouses
I’ve NEVER considered myself a beach person. Between the sand, the humidity, and all of the people the beach just seemed so overrated. But I realize that I haven’t given it quite enough credit. The beach is a great place for reading. And it’s always going to surprise you.

One day was blazing hot…but the water was so chilly! And then another day was just about perfect…until storm clouds started to roll in. And then there was the day when I almost got taken out by a rogue beach umbrella.

I miss mountains and trails (I found a few trails…but the mosquitoes pretty much hold a monopoly on them) and I’m ready to crawl under a tree for shade. But I’m leaving OBX with the knowledge that, given the right circumstances, I can, indeed, be a beach bum.
Nashville to Durham to OBX

July 20th, 2019

The drive from Nashville all the way to the ocean only takes 11 hours. But when there are mountains and trails and trees in between, there’s no way I was going straight through. And when a state park is located fifteen minutes away from a friend who invites you over for waffles & a post-camping-shower, well…I stopped.

Feeling lazy, I crammed all of the overnight necessities into my daypack and hit the trail (just about 1.5 miles to camp). I missed a turn and came across an older gentleman who was resting with his three dogs. He could see the tent strapped to my back and offered directions to loop around to the campsite without backtracking.

And then we started chatting. Now, I know what you’re thinking – YOU TALKED TO A STRANGER IN THE WOODS?!?

Yes.

I’d trust him before I would trust anyone that I came across in downtown Nashville. I was fully engaged in the conversation while also keeping an eye on my surroundings. I oriented myself to a mental map and knew exactly how to get back to my car and to the campsite. I made sure he knew that I had people expecting me the next day. I nodded and made eye contact with the other hiker who passed while we chatted and I kept an eye on the three very chill pups at this guys’ feet.

Eno River State Park (Durham, NC)

I get a lot of flack/questions/commentary when people learn that I hike alone. But…the woods are my safe space. Besides all of the wild news stories you’ll read about people getting lost or axe-men running around the AT, I still think they’re safer than Nashville. Have you ever known someone to get mugged while hiking?!? (If so, I don’t need to hear about it. But thank you.)

Anyways…with full knowledge of my situation and surroundings, I fully engaged with conversation with this guy. He’s a lawyer who’s been heavily involved with the revitalization efforts around Eno River. And he has friends in Maine.

I went into this trip with little to no idea of what I hope to accomplish or learn. But I do know that I want to meet people along the way – people who want to engage in authentic conversations with give and take, learning from one another, and mutually walking away more enthusiastic about life. This was a good way to start.
Where It All Began

July 16th, 2019

It all began when I moved to Nashville. It wasn’t really my first choice, but I went. And I spent the first two years planning a get-away. The third year, I was passive-aggressively settling in/still trying to escape. And the last three years, I’ve just “been.”

Nashville taught me more than I ever imagined, but still…the relationship ran its course. There are too many trails to hike, coffees to drink, breads to bake, and people to experience OUTSIDE of Tennessee. So it’s time to move on.

To where?

I dunno. Time will tell as things either fall into place or fall apart.

On the third night of this adventure, I found myself at Jockey Ridge State Park watching the sunset. I watched the sun fall behind the sand dunes, completely in awe of the colors’ play against the sand and clouds. But I looked behind me and saw this mass of storm clouds trying to edge into the scene.

I was struck by the contrast…if you just focus on one side of the scene, you’ll experience extreme joy or extreme tension. But life (at least mine) isn’t just one of those extremes…it’s this constant play between both.

So, in order to keep all of my people informed of my adventures and well-being, all of the sunsets, storms and whatever happens in between will be dumped here. If you want to follow along, go for it…it will all be here for you 🙂