What You’ll Get
Welcome to Hike Northern Idaho: 50 at 50 — a year-long journey of 50 hikes as I celebrate turning 50 on June 11, 2026.
Thirty years ago, I took a gentle walk with my grandmother along the shores of Long Island Sound. I was twenty, lost and anxious, unsure I would ever feel at home in my own life. When I asked her at what age she had been happiest, she answered without hesitation: “50. I had the wisdom of age and a fit, strong body.”
Those words stayed with me. Today I live in the mountains of Northern Idaho, waking up grateful for the life I’ve built and excited to move through the world. This project is my celebration of that journey — and an invitation for you to discover (or rediscover) the simple joy of being in your body and in nature.
Every Friday I’ll publish a new hike story that offers:
Practical trail guidance — location, difficulty level, distance, elevation gain, seasonal notes, and honest details so you can decide if the hike is right for you.
Vivid stories from the trail — the sights, sounds, smells, and small wonders of Northern Idaho’s mountains, lakes, rivers, and forests.
Inspiration to move through life with more joy — gentle reflections on aging, confidence, mental well-being, and the healing power of nature and movement.
Index of Hikes - Each Friday, I’ll also publish updates to a searchable list of completed hikes. It includes distance, hours to complete, elevation gain, difficulty, key highlights, location, and a link to the full article for each hike.
Subscribe now for FREE!
Extras for Paid Supporters: Off the Trail
Off the Trail is the intimate, paid-subscribers-only companion to the main journey.
Deeper stories from the trail and from home (the behind-the-scenes stories, the messy real-life moments, the unexpected lessons, the quiet victories, the fears I face at 50, and the joys I discover along the way).
“Off the Trail” Chats—Threads about life, nature, aging, and why we stay “on the trail.” Paid subscribers can also initiate new Chat Threads.
Bonus Trail Stories: Read about hikes around Yellowstone in June and in Colorado in September.
Think of the main feed as the view from the mountaintop and Off the Trail as the warm campfire conversation afterward — honest, supportive, and full of real connection.
This tier is designed to make paid subscribers feel like true co-adventurers in a supportive community for a year-long journey. After the 50 hikes, we’ll transition to a lighter, free-focused publication (or new chapter) with options for continued support.”
About Me
I’m a writer, certified Idaho Master Naturalist, and certified NASM Group Fitness Instructor living in Northern Idaho.
Join me on the journey to 50 — first hike story drops soon!
To learn more about the tech platform that powers this publication, visit Substack.com.
