One of the most incredible views in the Smokies is of the Bradley Fork valley. It’s not an easy walk to get here. It’s never crowded. And it never disappoints. . . I’ve chosen to post this photo with the rhododendron blooming because that may be the next time I get to hike. I finally got a diagnosis on my foot yesterday. I’ve got inflammation in the sural nerve. So, lots of therapy, an antiinflammation diet, and as much low impact exercise as I can stand for the next six weeks to get that nerve released. . . #AT #trektheAT #appalachiantrail #whiteblaze #wildeast #rhododendron #bradleyfork #forceofnature #sweatydirtyhappy #blueridgebabes #hikelikeagirl #badasswomen #Smokies #GSMNP #SmokyMountains #backpacking #takeahike #altraredteam #zerolimits #hiking #optoutside #choosemountains #choosemountainswomen #blueridgemoments https://www.instagram.com/p/BubPnkAFoP5/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=17c0hzslpxl84

Wherever you’re headed this weekend, I hope it’s toward an adventure 🏕 . . #forceofnature #sweatydirtyhappy #blueridgebabes #hikelikeagirl #badasswomen #Smokies #GSMNP #SmokyMountains #backpacking #takeahike #altraredteam #zerolimits #hiking #optoutside #andrewsbald #latergram #appalachian_explorers #blueridgemoments #865life #nationalparksgeek #ashevilletrails https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt62AJalPVv/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=b0f4dzro3gq9

In honor of International Women’s Day, I’m sharing a future tough chick. Environmentalist in the making, my little “niece” is going to be a true Force of Nature. Here she is with one of the largest trees inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Look out world 💪 . . . #forceofnature #sweatydirtyhappy #blueridgebabes #hikelikeagirl #badasswomen #Smokies #GSMNP #SmokyMountains #backpacking #takeahike #zerolimits #hiking #optoutside #hikeitbaby #wildkids #internationalwomensday #futureleader #futurehiker #greenbrier #bigtrees #appalachian_explorers #tuliptree https://www.instagram.com/p/Buv6fQelNkY/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1ob58ovcmmr1o

I have always loved this unique rhododendron along the Art Loeb Trail. How often do you see rhododendron that stand up like this?! . . #forceofnature #sweatydirtyhappy #blueridgebabes #hikelikeagirl #badasswomen #backpacking #takeahike #altraredteam #zerolimits #hiking #optoutside #artloeb #artloebtrail #whiteblaze #wildeast #thruhike #fastpack #rhododendron #pisgah #pisgahnationalforest #blueridge #blueridgeparkway #blueridgemoments #appalachian_explorers #828isgreat #ashevilletrails https://www.instagram.com/p/BuLzF23F477/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=194e60u6ry50g

Looking down on Lake James thinking there’s no possible way that I can possible descend to the valley as fast as the guidebook says. . . Spoiler alert - you do drop just as fast as the guidebook says 😂 . . #Mountainstoseatrail #mountainstosea #thruhike #hiking #backpacking #ashevilletrails #828isgreat #optoutside #sweatydirtyhappy #hikertrash #appalachian_explorers #linville #linvillegorge #linvillegorgewilderness #wilderness #getwild #forceofnature #blueridgebabes #hikelikeagirl #badasswomen #backpacking #takeahike #altraredteam #teamaltra #zerolimits #hiking #lakejames #wildfirerecovery https://www.instagram.com/p/BtyA0d5lIHk/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1lkx047me6xey

Big journeys often begin with baby steps. . . I’ve been working with a sports medicine group to rehab the nerve damage in my foot. I’m so fortunate to have a great team of people working with me to try and get me healed in time for my race in two weeks. . . 📸: Mt Chase, with the entire Katahdin range behind me. I miss the north Maine woods. I do desperately hope to get there again soon. . . #forceofnature #sweatydirtyhappy #blueridgebabes #hikelikeagirl #badasswomen #backpacking #takeahike #altraredteam #zerolimits #hiking #optoutside #fastpacking #personalstories #asseenonmyrun #mtchase #maine #207isgreat #lovemaine #hikemaine #katahdin #baxterstatepark #offthebeatenpath #choosemountainswomen #likeagirl #hikelikeagirl #adventureawaits #babysteps https://www.instagram.com/p/Buha1snFncp/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=2aep2fv8z6e9

I may not be guiding for a living anymore, but it’s hard to take guiding out of me! It’s amazing how fast you can slide back in to old habits! . . 📸: @woodswomyn 💕 . . #forceofnature #sweatydirtyhappy #blueridgebabes #hikelikeagirl #badasswomen #Smokies #GSMNP #SmokyMountains #backpacking #takeahike #teamaltra #zerolimits #hiking #optoutside #teamspandits #seeninspandits #lakeshoretrail #bentonmackayetrail #oldhomesite #history #828isgreat #appalachian_explorers #blueridgemoments #blueridgebabes #takelessdomore #nationalparksgeek #865life https://www.instagram.com/p/BuEEpk_lC9U/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1dcbfo5n5zi6o

I may not be guiding for a living anymore, but it’s hard to take guiding out of me! It’s amazing how fast you can slide back in to old habits! . . 📸: @woodswomyn 💕 . . #forceofnature #sweatydirtyhappy #blueridgebabes #hikelikeagirl #badasswomen #Smokies #GSMNP #SmokyMountains #backpacking #takeahike #teamaltra #zerolimits #hiking #optoutside #teamspandits #seeninspandits #lakeshoretrail #bentonmackayetrail #oldhomesite #history #828isgreat #appalachian_explorers #blueridgemoments #blueridgebabes https://www.instagram.com/p/BuEEpk_lC9U/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=kkd7tnsphszf