Erin & Dessie Do Stuff

So proud of my mom for completing the West Highland Way with a fractured back. She is one tough lady and a hell of a role model.

Day 10 and out final day on the WHW. It is a bittersweet day, I feel jubilant to have completed this milestone and sad that my time in this place is coming to an end. (West Highland Way, Scotland, Kinlochleven-Fort William 15 miles)

Day 9 on the WHW. My favorite day so far. We concurred the Devil’s Staircase and the reward was spectacular. (West Highland Way, Scotland, Glen Coe-Kinlochleven 9.6 miles)

Day 7 on the WHW and I’m feeling the magic of the highlands. Vast and lonely in its wildness, beautifully inviting and devastatingly harsh. It sings to my blood and beckons me onwards. (West Highland Way, Scotland, Tyndrum-Bridge of Orchy 6.8 miles)

Day 6 on the WHW and the rain is here. I was devastated to learn that midges can fly in rain. Such cruel little things. (West Highland Way, Scotland, Inveranan-Tyndrum 12 miles)

Day 5 on the WHW. Still under the weather, but loving the fresh air. Today we said farewell to Lock Lomond as we trek ever closer to the Highlands. (West Highland Way, Scotland, Inversnaid-Inverarnan 8.6 miles)

Day 4 and I woke up with a head cold. I longed to roll over and stay in bed, but there is no stopping for a sick day when walking with a group. Gotta stay on schedule. So I toughed it out, but boy was I a grouch. (West Highland Way, Scotland, Rowardenne-Inversnaid 8.75 miles)

Day three on the WHW and the weather is fine, Lock Lomond is sparkling, and I am feeling fit. This is what pure joy feels like. (West Highland Way, Scotland, Balmaha-Rowardennen 8.5 miles)

I am so happy to be doing the West Highland Way with my mother, and I am so impressed with her determination and perseverance. She fractured her back a couple weeks before this trip but it it didn’t deter her. She is one tough broad and I am in awe of her. (WHW, Scotland, Drymen-Balmaha 8.5 miles)

The journey begins, and how fortunate we are to have such uncharacteristically nice weather. (West Highland Way, Milngavie-Drymen, 12 miles)

When your flight gets delayed for hours you whine a little then wine a lot.

Last campsite for a while. I’m getting myself ready for the West Highland Way, and Dessie ready for a rest in Salt Lake City.

“Dessie, what the what? We are still in Utah, right?” (Diamond Fork, UT)

I love a hot spring with a view.

“Welp, I guess we won’t be camping down that road tonight Dessie.”

I once met a couple who told me they were waterfall chasers. They traveled from one waterfall to the next, it was the backbone of their itinerary. I think about them every time I see a waterfall. They were such happy people. (Gordon Falls, Price, UT)

I think I get excited about lichen the way most women do about babies.

Dessie loves a wide open desert view, and we were both thrilled to see this rainbow lighting up the ominous storm clouds rolling in.

These magnificent oddities are called concretions. They start out as a tiny bit of matter (usually organic) that gathers sediment around it, somewhat like a pearl, cementing before the surrounding rock hardens. These particular concretions can be seen on the Buried Forest trail near Price, UT.

Dessie is loving the views from our campsite and had a great hike in Little Wild Horse Canyon

The Goblin and Goblette’s lairs. I’m a fan.

Goblin Valley SP has been my favorite adventure of 2025. I can easily imagine all these wonderful odd hoodoos coming alive each night and living it up under the desert stars.

Capital Reef NP

When you get a boondocking spot this gorgeous you change your plans and take a day just to enjoy the view 😉

I saw Newspaper Rock when I was a teen and based on my journal entry at the time I was not impressed. 😆 What a difference three decades can make.

So many epic hikes in Moab, but I only had time for one, so I went with Corona and Bow Tie arches and they did not disappoint.

If you get moving early enough you can join a crowd of spectators to witness the sunrise lighting up Mesa Arch in Canyonlands and if you hang around long enough the crowd will disperse leaving you to enjoy the spectacle in relative solitude. Patience pays off.

This hike in Canyonlands Island in the Sky district had me feeling alive in a way I haven’t felt in a hot minute.

A big thank you to my new friend Kandis for recommending the rim hike at Dead Horse Point State Park in Utah. A beautiful place with a sad story.

I had never heard of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park until a few days ago, and I have so say I’m not sure why. This place is incredible. Photos do not do it justice, you need to see it in person. It will make you feel small in the best way possible.