Explore every episode of the podcast blissful hiker ❤︎ inspiring you to hike your own hike
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“Portage” means carrying a boat and its cargo between navigable waters. Thick forests once made overland travel in Minnesota and lands north slow and punishing, so lakes and rivers served as superhighways of the north. But moving from one lake to the next required hauling everything, canoes included...
Part two in the series takes us on a short hike in Grand Portage State Park revealing the forces that shaped the land as well as the enduring human respect for that land which has long dictated travel, history, and preservation along Minnesota’s North Shore.
1. Gichi-Onigaming is the "Great Carrying Place," a nearly nine-mile portage around Minnesota's highest waterfall, the High Falls, where the Pigeon River plunges 120 feet over over billion-year-old basalt cliffs on a mad rush to Lake Superior.
2. The mist-filled viewing platform under a permanent rainbow is easily accessed by a paved trail and boardwalk, crowded on this hot summer's day with tourists.
3. A more rugged five-mile trail heads deep into forest to Middle Falls, another obstacle on the river which separates the United States from Canada.
4. Grand Portage State Park was established in 1989 and is the only state park not owned by the state. Rather it's a cooperative effort with the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, shared stewardship, shared history, and shared reverence for the land.
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Alison Young is a fiscal year 2025 recipient of a Creative Individuals grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature; and by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.
“In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.” —Margaret Atwood
Part one in the series highlights a night of near-solitude at Lake Itasca State Park. The moment is a reflection on spring’s renewal and the fragile, hard-won legacy of preservation that allows this landscape to remain alive and vibrant today.
1. Camping alone at Floating Bog Bay amid the rich smell of earth, Alison listens as frogs, birds, and insects erupt in raucous celebration.
2. The episode traces the long, uncertain journey to identify Lake Itasca as the headwaters of the Mississippi River.
3. And highlights how spring's return to this beautiful place depended on a single vote that preserved the land from logging and development.
***
Alison Young is a fiscal year 2025 recipient of a Creative Individuals grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature; and by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.
It’s all about staying present in the moment and not dwelling too much on the past or worrying about the future. To “be where your feet are” quite literally encourages us to stay grounded.
On an early spring hike through woodland wildflowers, Blissful Hiker considers the ephemeral quality of our own lives and it makes her appreciate even more the experience of walking with friends in this beauty.
MUSIC: "Introduccion y Allegro" by Carlos Gaustavino as played by Alison Young, flute and Vicki Seldon, piano.
Blissful Hiker brings the story of the Te Araroa to a close so she can podcast from trail on the Continental Divide Trail, a 3,000-mile thru-hike on the Rockies.
Blissful Hiker says goodbye to her young friend Tomáš who helped her through the toughest parts of the trail, including reaching a summit above the highest point of the trail.
In this episode:
Blissful continues her journey of the Te Araroa, reaching Stag Saddle and Beuzenberg Peak in New Zealand's Southern Alps, looking towards Mount Cook and the astonishing turquoise of Lake Tekapo.
It's tussock, mud, rocks and stream-as-trail to a magical hollow next to a babbling brook with a magical sunset and a sky full of stars.
The final bit to town is mostly on road where Blissful meets shepherds with a dozen working dogs and a Chinese family on vacation that offers her glasses of milk.
In Tekapo, she gets the last bed at the last hostel, rents a bike for the coming days and takes Tom to a restaurant for anything he wants on the menu.
He teaches her how to say "bad ass" in Czech as well as "she is bad ass."
Blissful Hiker discovers hope because repair happens simultaneously with her trailside breakdown.
In this episode:
Blissful continues her journey of the Te Araroa, crossing the gigantic braided Rangitata River in New Zealand's Southern Alps.
Before crossing, she joins her young Czech friend Tom on a side-trip to Mount Sunday known as Elorus in The Lord of the Rings, a magnificent bump surrounded by snow-capped mountains.
The river bed is six miles wide of rocks, fast-moving rivers, thorns and quicksand.
Then it's up the Two Thumb Track into a wonderland of pointy mountains in tussock, and rushing streams.
At Crooked Spur Hut, two Kiwis act resentful that Te Araroa hikers share their space and seem to delight in disturbing sleep and talking about bad weather coming.
Blissful breaks down in tears but a beautiful waterfall covered in yellow flowers lifts her spirits as well as another hiker offering treats and laughs.
MUSIC: Poema del Pastor Coya by Angel Lasala as played by Alison Young, flute and Vicki Seldon, piano
Blissful Hiker learns that worrying doesn't empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.
In this episode:
Blissful continues her journey of the Te Araroa, walking south in the South Island of New Zealand between the Rakaia and Rangitata Rivers, both "Hazard Zones."
From the A-frame Hut, Blissful heads up this "Lord of the Rings" landscape with a trail-as-river to Clent Hills Saddle and down to the Lake Heron Basin, where mysterious clouds look like parade balloons touching the ground like fingers.
After the Manuka Hut, it's road walk past the Hakatere Conservation Park and hooting birds, then the Castleridge Station where the rancher offers her a pile of food so she make it to Lake Tekapo, six days away.
The landscape is glorious snow-capped mountains to the majestic braided river.
She worries about food, about Tom, about going home and about her long lost flute career and finds it does no good, keeping her energy from being in the present moment.
MUSIC: Poema del Pastor Coya by Angel Lasala as played by Alison Young, flute and Vicki Seldon, piano
Blissful Hiker is astonished when she lets the day take care of itself, miracles occur.
In this episode:
Blissful continues her journey of the Te Araroa, walking south in the South Island of New Zealand.
After Hamilton "Hilton" Hut it's rocky and tussock-covered terraces as well as numerous crossings in the knee-high rapids of the Harper River on a hot day.
At the campsite she breaks down in tears not able to set her tent, the Alicoop in the hard ground.
The next day is all on road to a "Hazard Zone:" the impassable Rakaia River, where she meets two Kiwis who offer to drive her the 30 miles around it.
It's uphill through cicada-filled meadows and at the saddle, she meets Tomaš and they plan to tackle the next "Hazard Zone" of the Rangitata River together.
MUSIC: Poema del Pastor Coya by Angel Lasala as played by Alison Young, flute and Vicki Seldon, piano
Blissful Hiker's friend from Day 1 falls and dislocates her shoulder and another tramper needs rescuing, and she decides to take things slow so as not to fall – and to not rush to the end.
In this episode:
Blissful leaves Goat Pass for Arthur's Pass on the Te Araroa with Alessio and Tomaš in rain, with more on the way.
Alessio tells her he didn't "sign up" to guide a middle-aged tramper, but she realizes what other people think of her is none of her business.
A friend-of-a-friend loans her "bach" or cabin to the trio for a zero day before heading onto the Harper River Track.
It's lovely walking with views of the Southern Alps along tundra rich with alpine plants.
The mountains are eroded and dangerous, a landslip the cause of at least two accidents.
Several hikers stay at the Hamilton "Hilton" Hut, where a Frenchwoman needs rescuing by helicopter.
MUSIC: Milonga sin Palabras by Astor Piazzolla as played by Alison Young, flute and Vicki Seldon, piano
Blissful Hiker learns a new skill crossing rivers in cold and dangerous rapids and falls in the South Island of New Zealand.
In this episode:
Blissful is on day 89 of the Te Araroa, New Zealand's "long pathway" developing a new skill of crossing dangerous rivers, but with a little help from friends, Alessio and Tomaš.
Her first challenge out of Hurunui Hut No. 3 is to cross the small side stream called Cameron on a 3-wire bridge, not offering any room for error.
Up an over Harper Pass, the trail crosses over the divide in the Southern Alps and descends on an eroded landslip or flash flood tailings.
This is followed by a cross in the deep rushing Upper Taramakau to Kiwi Hut.
It's a long day walking on uneven river bed with numerous crossings, then an awful "flood route" sidling of the river through bush in typical New Zealand style of steep ups and downs without any switchbacks.
The day ends with a wild walk straight up the Deception River on the Mingha-Deception Track to Goat Pass in rapids, waterfalls and awkward crossings, some of the most exhilarating tramping of the entire trail.
MUSIC: Introduccion y Allegro by Carlos Guastavino and Pastorale Calchaqui by Hector Gallac as played by Alison Young, flute and Vicki Seldon, piano
Blissful Hiker finds she is like a river, following a path and forging a new way. It may be hard work, but it's in her nature
In this episode:
Blissful walks out of Nelson Lakes National Park on the Te Araroa stopping in Boyle Village to pick up her resupply, staying only long enough for a snack since the rain is coming and it's better to move on before the rivers rise and become impassable.
Alessio and Tomaš join her as she enters Canterbury and heads to Hope Halfway Shelter right before the rain comes, along with ten wet trampers sharing the small space in a boisterous evening.
The plan is to go further the next day to avoid the crowd and get in place to cross the harder rivers before the rain comes.
After river walking and countless stream crossings, Blissful bathes in a hot springs then arrives at Hurunui No. 3 Hut, far ahead of the crowd where Alessio tells her, "You look like you're between 50 and 60, but you hike a 25 year old."
MUSIC: Introduccion y Allegro by Carlos Guastavino and Pastorale Calchaqui by Hector Gallac as played by Alison Young, flute and Vicki Seldon, piano
Blissful Hiker discovers the difference between loneliness and solitude, appreciating the camaraderie crossing a difficult mountain pass.
In this episode:
Blissful joins six determined friends to cross Waiua Pass in high winds and squalls on the Te Araroa.
It's not so bad up and down around Lake Constance then up again on loose scree over the pass with a tricky downclimb on a crumbling cliff into a wonderland of mountains and waterfalls in Nelson Lakes National Park, the view coming in and out of swirling mist.
Blissful faces her first tricky river crossings and breaks down in tears, and one friend tells her, "Remember, no one walked this for you."
Along Waiau River, a cowboy tells her to hide in the thorn trees until wild horses stampede by.
She's surprised by another hiker's asking her if she's ok and what her plans are, the first time any hiker had asked in nearly three months.
MUSIC: Poema del Pastor Coya by Angel Lasala as played by Alison Young, flute and Vicki Seldon, piano
Blissful Hiker learns what she plans to do with her one wild and precious life by heading into the mountains when weather moves in.
In this episode:
Blissful is told by the experts at DOC to keep moving up into the mountains since the bad weather is not a storm but more "squally showers" and very big wind.
She gets a late start as she heads into Nelson Lakes National Park around Lake Rotoiti thinking of poet Mary Oliver who died the day before and asked in her most famous poem, Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?
On Travers Saddle she braves the wild gale-force wind to cross over.
On the descent, she wipes out on mud and tumbles down, hardly hurting herself but bending her trekking pole, but finding it's still useable.
Walking over avalanche zones, waterfalls, root-filled trails and up steep climbs, she meets a ranger who calculates because of her age, she can't handle Waiau Pass the next day.
But at the hut at Blue Lake/Rotomairewhenua, her friends convince her to continue to the pass the next day, if they all go together.
MUSIC: Suite Argentina by Horacio Salgán as played by Alison Young, flute and Vicki Seldon, piano
It signifies the aid and assistance hikers encounter on trail, encouraging trust and faith that things will work out.
On a section hike of the Continental Divide Trail, Blissful encounters a miracle and realizes that allowing the trail to provide is part of successfully walking a long trail and also living life too.
MUSIC: "Poema del Pastor Coya" by Angel Lasala as played by Alison Young, flute and Vicki Seldon, piano.
Blissful Hiker discovers that if you have the energy, the daylight and the weather is good, you should always try to get some distance while the getting’s good.
In this episode:
Blissful is up before dawn and has Purple Top in the Richmond Range of the Te Araroa all to herself.
Then she dives back into a deep valley to walk up the Wairoa River, sidling its steep, crumbly banks and using the water itself as a trail.
The next day is in a transformed environment of the Red Hills, magnesium rich desert-like landscape still filled with dozens of rushing streams to cross.
Her friends catch up and convince her to push hard and continue to Red Hills Hut while the weather is good and there's still time.
It's good she moved forward as the weather begins to turn just as she arrives in St. Arnaud to pick up a resupply.
MUSIC: MUSIC: Poema del Pastor Coya by Angel Lasala as played by Alison Young, flute and Vicki Seldon, piano
Blissful Hiker discovers that having her ego tweaked just a little by a braggart can be a good thing, because it helps her decide what matters and what doesn't.
In this episode:
The day starts with a rainbow, feathery falls and then a steep climb into the stunning Richmond Range on New Zealand's long walk, the Te Araroa.
At Slaty Hut, she meets a young thru-hiker who brags about his speed, his distance and his light gear much to her annoyance.
She "interviews" him and discovers he's actually a nice guy, hiking his own hike.
It's steep up Little Rintoul, though she realizes it's only the first climb of the day as the real, and higher Rintoul is an eroding, scree-field of a trail.
Rather than take John's bragging as "fighting words" she continues to hike her hike, taking the time to enjoy the view, air and sunshine from the summits.
MUSIC: MUSIC: Poema del Pastor Coya by Angel Lasala and Suite Argentina by Horacio Salgan as played by Alison Young, flute and Vicki Seldon, piano
Blissful Hiker learns about the Maori legend of the sandfly, created to remind us that this Garden of Eden is something ephemeral, and one we can only pass through.
In this episode:
Blissful finishes her glorious walk of the Queen Charlotte Track visiting Havelock for a pot of mussels then camping on a trail angel's lawn.
The walk continues to the unbelievably crystal clear emerald green Pelorus River.
It's a glorious path through magical forests of beech and moss, a hobbit habitat.
Blissful takes a swim, but is eaten alive by sandflies, definitely not part of the "Pure New Zealand" campaign.
It's a steep hike to the ridge, with views to the big mountains ahead, then down Hacket Creek to meet friends in Nelson where Blissful plays a koauau, a Maori flute.
MUSIC: MUSIC: Allegro by Carlos Guastavino as played by Alison Young, flute and Vicki Seldon, piano
Blissful Hiker takes a chance stealth camping at a lookout and shares spectacular views with one cheeky weka.
In this episode:
Blissful leaves Wellington and the North Island behind on the Te Araroa when she takes the ferry across the Cook Strait to Picton and then a mail boat to the Queen Charlotte Track at Ship Cove.
She moves fast to Camp Madsen, harvesting mussels on the beach and awakened by the loud screeching of a weka, a "faux-kiwi."
It's an easy track with views of turquoise inlets, the mountains seemingly growing out of the ocean and the bush as wild as it must have been with Captain Cook arrived in the 18th century.
Not wanting to camp where a DOC worker is repairing a shelter with heavy metal cranking or walk all the way down to the beach and pay a hefty fee, Blissful ends up at Onahau Lookout with a 360-degree view of Marlborough Sound.
MUSIC: MUSIC: Poema del Pastor Coya by Angel Lasala as played by Alison Young, flute and Vicki Seldon, piano
Blissful Hiker is snubbed by a young hiker causing her to question friendships and her solo walk as she finishes the North Island with the help from, yes, friends.
In this episode:
Blissful is dropped off where she left off on the Te Araroa in Paekakariki after a zero day with her trail angel family, Rob and George.
It begins on the spectacular Escarpment Track past the beach at Plimmerton, along the Ara Harakeke Cycle Way, then through a noisy mall before she sets her tent, the alicoop, at Camp Elsdon.
It's up over Colonial Knob where she meets a Dutch thru-hiker and his unfriendly girlfriend.
From Mount Kaukau, there's a view of beautiful Wellington built on the hills along a string-of-pearls of bays and inlets.
She "slackpacks" the city – hiking with a daypack – staying with friends-of-friends-of-friends, who treat her like family and hold her bounce box, a collection of gear she brought with her into New Zealand, including new shoes.
MUSIC: MUSIC: Poema del Pastor Coya by Angel Lasala and Introduccion yAllegro by Carlos Guastavino as played by Alison Young, flute and Vicki Seldon, piano
Blissful Hiker watches the sunrise from the summit of Mount Taranaki on the first day of the year and learns that getting to the top is optional, while getting down is mandatory.
In this episode:
Blissful leaves Paekakariki in pouring rain to head off-trail for a side-trip to climb the stratovolcano, Taranaki, an almost cliché of a cone-shaped, snow-capped mountain.
To see the sunrise, she needs to climb in the dark and is treated to a rising moon amidst a sky full of stars, including the Magellan Cloud and Southern Cross.
It's easy walking through broken pumice but she's warned not to loiter because of avalanches, then it's stairs over the worst of the eroded mountain, followed by a scramble on scree, one-foot up and a half-foot back.
The crater is permanently covered in icy snow, and she climbs up on the rocky edge to watch the sun rise in glowing orange.
The descent is difficult on ball-bearing stones and in the heat, but she times it perfectly before the clouds return.
MUSIC: Soliloquy by Bernard Rogers and Suite by Ernst Krenek as played by Alison Young
The Blissful Hiker meets an English ex-pat in the Tararuas named Julian and they bond like war-buddies, but are unsure they'll connect again.
In this episode:
Blissful bonds with an ex-pat named Julian when they leave Waitewaewae Hut in the Tarauas sidling the Otaki River on a nasty, muddy, and root-filled trail .
It's hard to say goodbye, she walks alone the rest of the way over Mount Pukeatua, down a steep area of clear-cut, then on road to trail angel – and Julian's friend – Carol's house in Waikanae.
Even after dinner, beer and a hot tub, the rain destroys her spirit and Carol's boyfriend Brent restores it with a couple of sandwiches – and coming to accept that rain – and mud and difficult trail – is all part of this thru-hike.
It's easy walking on estuary and beach to Paikakariki where Julian texts and invites her to climb a mountain with him the next day to welcome the new year.
MUSIC: Impresiones de la Puna by Alberto Ginastera as played by Alison Young, flute and Vicki Seldon, piano
The Blissful Hiker takes a calculated risk to cross the glorious, but dangerous, Tararua Range all alone, the most difficult section of the Te Araroa so far, taking advantage of a weather window.
In this episode:
Blissful is told at Makahika Outddoor Pursuit Centre to keep moving to get through the high, exposed Tararuas, since it will be calm and clear for two days.
It's steep and muddy straight uphill to the Te Matawai Hut, but she skips it as advised and moves on all alone on top of the world atop lonely ridge tops shrouded in mist.
After several gloomy but mystical goblin forests, and the summit of Pukematawai, she arrives at Dracophyllum Hut, and watched a glorious sunset.
Stopped momentarily by tachycardia, she finally climbs to the summit of Mount Crawford, the highest point on the trail in this range.
It's a long, muddy descent to the Waitewaewae Hut, where Blissful meets hiker friends and is grateful for a day that felt like flying on clouds.
MUSIC: Impresiones de la Puna by Alberto Ginastera and Pastorale Calchaqui by Hector Gallac as played by Alison Young, flute and Vicki Seldon, piano
On day 59 of hiking the Te Araroa, the Blissful Hiker gets in touch with her inner brave spirit and gets more comfortable hiking her own hike.
In this episode:
Blissful leaves the Tasman Sea on concrete-hard black sand of Koitiata Beach and meets a Kiwi section-hiker who tells her the uneven and difficult trail standard is part of the challenge.
The Blissful Hiker completes the "thru-canoe" section of the Te Araroa on the Whanganui River, and meets "Guardian" Trail Angels before she returns to the Tasman Sea.
In this episode:
Blissful and her paddle partner Andrew leave Hipango Park for one final day on the winding chocolate-colored Whanganui River toward the Holiday Park and a short walk to town.
On her own, Blissful heads to meet a trail angel named George who offers a room for the night. His partner Rob shares a whakatau, a Maori greeting.
After a big Kiwi-style English braeakfast, George starts the trail with Blissful. It's road-walk all the way to Koitiata and there's no such thing as "share the road" in New Zealand.
She picks up a lolly cake at Turakina Antiques and is invited by a trail angel for a snack and conversation before meeting the Tasman Sea again after 50 days of walking.
The sunset is glorious and Blissful has it all to herself, but knows she is not entirely alone because people are looking out for her.
MUSIC: Impresiones de la Puna by Alberto Ginastera as played by Alison Young, flute and Vicki Seldon, piano
The Blissful Hiker continues the section of the Te Araroa on the Whanganui River, learning that aiming your canoe – and life – straight into the V of rapids can give you a renewed sense of power and agency.
In this episode:
Blissful heads into the rapids on the Whanganui and her partner Andrew teaches her to ignore her intuition and head straight into the bubbling caldron – and never stop paddling.
They lean in, knees against the gunwales, thwacking and bumping through as the water drenches them in a kind of baptism.
Andrew empties 26 gallons of water, then another 15 in the next set, but they never tip.
They stay all alone at the the quirky Flying Fox Retreat with some loud birds.
There's no more rapids and it's a long, soggy day to Hipango Park where they camp high up on a bluff.
Blissful realizes she may never see Andrew again after this shared journey, but thinks if this lovely partner can show up out of nowhere, so can others.
MUSIC: Impresiones de la Puna by Alberto Ginastera as played by Alison Young, flute and Vicki Seldon, piano
The Blissful Hiker begins the section of the Te Araroa on the Whanganui River, a body of water precious and deeply spiritual to the Maori.
In this episode:
Blissful begins paddling the Whanganui with her partner Andrew as captain, a young American exactly thirty years younger, who takes charge of steering.
After a quick lesson, they're off mostly on placid water reflecting the clouds and cliffs dotted with waterfalls.
At the John Coull Hut, she camps outside and watches rare pekapeka, short-tailed bats, the only endemic mammals to New Zealand.
They take a break from paddling to visit the Bridge to Nowhere, built with high hopes o bring prosperity to the region, though no roads were ever built to it.
The seven-year-old daughter, Maddy, welcomes them to Tieke Kainga, as the kaikaranga or caller in a powhiri to the Maori community, then gives her a pakohe , a healping stone, which Blissful carries on every hike thereafter.
MUSIC: Impresiones de la Puna by Alberto Ginastera as played by Alison Young, flute and Vicki Seldon, piano
***You can win a pair of Balega Socks! Like and share The Pee Rag on Facebook and you'll be automatically entered to win.***
The Blissful Hiker learns how to be brave and keep the faith from a novice hiker friend who jumped on the Te Araroa before she was totally ready.
In this episode:
Blissful leaves the Tongariro National Park on the Tupapakurua Falls Track, a "balcony walk" with views out to Mount Taranaki rising above the horizon like Shangri-La on a brilliantly clear day.
She camps with her friends at the Katieke War Monument to those who died in World War I and they enjoy a spectacular sunset.
She learns that even though the day started off badly, a thru-hike allows you to literally walk away to something better.
It's a road walk to Whakahoro, but lovely next to the Retaruke River.
At the camp spot, Eline arrives – a Dutch woman backpacking for the very first time – and teaches Blissful to trust herself.
MUSIC: Poema del Pastor Coya by Angel Lasala as played by Alison Young, flute and Vicki Seldon, piano
***You can win a pair of Balega Socks! Like and share The Pee Rag on Facebook and you'll be automatically entered to win.***
The Blissful Hiker is gifted with good weather while walking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing on the Te Araroa, but it takes a fellow hiker to slow her down and help her enjoy the spectacular surroundings.
In this episode:
Blissful leaves Te Porere Redoubt for the Tongariro crossing with four hiker friends in the middle of the night and is heartened when she sees stars, a good omen for decent weather ahead.
Tussocky hillsides dotted with mountain daisies take her up to steaming calderas spewing sulfuric smells, ancient craters crumbling into malevolent jaws and lakes of a wondrous chalky green.
As if like magic, her friend Tom meets her and slows her down to savor the entire day before they camp together below the Devils Staircase in the Mangatepopo Valley.
On her birthday, the day opens clear with a glorious view of Ruapehu all the way to Whakipapa where the trail goes from good to awful just as the promised storms follow her all the way to National Park.
MUSIC: Impresiones de la Puna by Carlos Gaustavino as played by Alison Young, flute and Vicki Seldon, piano
The Blissful Hiker struggles with being a beginner at thru-hiking as she walks New Zealand's Te Araroa, but realizes that every step she takes brings her one step closer to being an expert.
In this episode:
Blissful leaves Ongarue in the North Island of New Zealand and walks toward Taumarunui, where she'll plan her canoe trip down the Whanganui River.
She meets a Maori who shares sweet coffee and his philosophy, a mixture of matriarchal wisdom and Christianity and it tells her to "ask the mother for help."
In town, the trail provides when she meets up with four hikers she likes who invite her to join them for the canoe trip after four days walking.
It's an easy hike on country roads to the Whakapapa River where she spies two rare whio – or blue ducks – in the rapids, a good omen.
The hike is along a mountain bike trail called the 42 Traverse, a sanctuary for kiwi and rare carnivorous plants.
The trail cuts off for the Waione/Cokers Track, a muddy, deeply rutted trail where she meets a trapper who takes her on the ride of her life through bush on a 4X4.
MUSIC: The music in this episode is Argentine composer Angel Lasala’s Poema del Pastor Coyaand Carlos Guastavino's Allegro as played by Alison Young, flute and Vicki Seldon, piano
The Blissful Hiker learns that hiking all alone on the Te Araroa and managing her nervousness about what's to come is worth it, since she enjoys her own company the most.
In this episode:
Blissful walks the Timber Trail in the spectacular Pureora Forest in the North Island of New Zealand, native bush saved by "tree sitters" and easy walking on old logging tramways.
Crossing spectacular swing bridges over deep gorges and walking through deep canyons cut deeply in the hills take her to Piropiro Flats, where a trail angel gives her two cheap beers for brunch.
At Waione Stream, she spies bikers wading in the rapids below, joining them for one of the best swims of her hike, cold but refreshing.
Camping is at No. 10 Camp, though Chloe can't stand Blissful's blissful singing, so she sets her tent at a distance.
Along the way, Blissful passes the 1,000 kilometer mark, 1/3 of the hike completed.
The final day takes Blissful across the Mangakotukutuku Bridge and meets the engineering marvel of the Ongarue Spiral, two trestles above a tunnel.
Finally, she's finishes at a campsite shared with dozens of hikers who she can't connect with so decides being alone, is just fine.
MUSIC: The music in this episode is Argentine composer Angel Lasala’s Poema del Pastor Coyaas played by Alison Young, flute and Vicki Seldon, piano
The Blissful Hiker learns that she actually misses the muddy, barely-there trail of New Zealand's "advanced tramping" and longs for the allure of the unknown.
In this episode:
Blissful walks from Marianne and Allan's farm toward the Pureora Forest, all on road but happy to walk every step of the Te Araroa.
She meets other thru-hikers at the Ngaherenga campsite, all having skipped the last sections and call Blissful a "purist."
Blissful enters the Pureora Forest on the Timber Trail, a wide shared mountain biking trail, but longs for the side side trails back into the bush to the Bog Inn and Pureora's summit, where she spies volcanic Mount Ruapehu.
She crosses two enormous suspension bridges and camps by a Harrisons Creek, where a hunter shows up with a deer, sharing the tenderest morsels.
MUSIC: The music in this episode is Argentine composer Angel Lasala’s Poema del Pastor Coyaas played by Alison Young, flute and Vicki Seldon, piano
The Blissful Hiker descends Mount Pirongia on the Te Araroa in a driving rain on an infamously muddy, root-filled trail and works her way to Waitomo, shown generous Kiwi hospitality all along the way.
In this episode:
Blissful joins eight Te Araroa hikers in a storm for the descent of Mount Pirongia, the highest point in the Waikato region of New Zealand, happy to be sharing the difficulty of deep mud, a trail-as-river and slippery roots.
Trail angels invite her to use their shower and laundry, and – after asking nicely – invite four solo women to stay inside out of the elements.
The next day is wet and muddy across sheep pastures and bush, but when she gets lost, it leads to an easy crossing of the rain-swollen Moakurarua Stream.
The Hamilton Tomo Caving Club invite her to use their group hut facilities before she takes in the famous Waitomo Caves to see glowworms like constellations on the limestone walls.
While she understands that generosity can be its own reward, that doesn't explain the tremendous kindness she's benefited from and she leaves a nice koha (or donation) for the trail angels she's met.
MUSIC Introduccion y allegro by Carlos Guastavino, Suite Argentina by Horacio Salgán and Soliloquy by Bernard Rogers as played by Alison Young, flute. available on iTunes
Blissful walks over slippery roots and deep pools of mud to reach the Hakarimata Trig before running down hundreds of stairs.
It's an easy walk to Hamilton where Blissful meets Irene, her partner from the first days of the Te Araroa, then another easy walk to Whatawhata, where she uses up all the good weather and faces a big challenge in rain.
It's a long walk over farmland and up on the Kapamahunga Range, then on to the giant extinct volcano, Mount Pirongia.
In a storm, friends from around the world await at the Pahautea Hut on the summit, and she learns that she "actuates" her hike - and life - in every decision she makes.
MUSIC Introduccion y allegro by Carlos Guastavino as played by Alison Young, flute and Vicki Seldon, piano available on iTunes
KULA CLOTH "pee rag"! Intentionally designed for all the places you ‘go,’ the Kula Cloth is one of the most important pieces of gear a women should have attached to her pack. read review order one for yourself
BACKCOUNTRY FOODIE A partner in healthy, ultralight and inexpensive thru-hiker meal planning, Backcountry Foodie is a game changer!
TED stands for Technology, Entertainment and Design and was founded in 1984 to showcase the "most interesting people on earth and let them communicate their passion."
The tagline is "ideas worth spreading."
The talks are short (under 18 minutes) and all memorized, given on a red dot of a carpet in front of a live audience, filmed for later broadcast.
I was recommended for this particular organization, but needed to apply and convince those in charge that I was the best person to share this idea.
Blissful's talk is about resilience in spite of life's inexplicable randomness. You'll come along with her on trail as she lets go of her flute career and meets another Blissful Hiker named Beethoven.
MUSIC: Introduccion y Allegro by Carlos Guastavino as played by Alison Young, flute and Vicki Seldon, piano.
The Blissful Hiker is back on New Zealand's Te Araroa walking through the Waikato Region in the center of the North Island. She learns to face her fear – as well as ambivalence and irritation – and muscle through the bad parts so she can be open to surprise.
In this episode:
Blissful skips a trail detour and starts her hike in muddy wetlands and electric-fenced pastureland.
She arranges for a whole group to camp at Cathy's Pies and learns that whatever answers she's looking for on the trail, is likely already inside her.
Her hiking friends share many of her same feelings about the trail and remind her this is all building "character."
Once she moves past fear and gets her rhythm, she camps alone high up in the Hakarimata Range with an incredible sunset and a morepork (owl) for company.
MUSIC: Introduccion y allegro by Carlos Guastavino as played by Alison Young, flute and Vicki Seldon, piano available on iTunes
KULA CLOTH "pee rag"! Intentionally designed for all the places you ‘go,’ the Kula Cloth is one of the most important pieces of gear a women should have attached to her pack. read review order one for yourself
The Blissful Hiker is back on New Zealand's Te Araroa thru-hike, "slackpacking" through Auckland then celebrating Thanksgiving with her Kiwi hosts, discovering she has a lot to be grateful for.
In this episode:
"Slackpacking" means hiking on a thru-hike with only what's needed for the day, leaving overnight gear at a friend's where the hiker sleeps.
Blissful hikes in rain and sunshine through parks, up blown out volcanoes, into museums and along busy roads.
She learns about another hiker dying on the trail and considers how easy it is to make a dumb decision, wondering if risking everything to come on this hike was a good one.
And at a Thanksgiving meal she realizes she feels gratitude for her decision, dumb or not.
MUSIC: Introduccion y allegro by Carlos Guastavino as played by Alison Young, flute and Vicki Seldon, piano available on iTunes
The Blissful Hiker learns that not knowing what comes next in our lives can be difficult to handle and nearly intolerable. The power is in choosing between accepting limited circumstances with grace.
In this episode:
Blissful learns her arthritis has progressed the point where she'll need to have both hips replaced, but that doesn't stop her from hiking one more short thru-hike at peak autumn colors.
The Kekekabic is part of the North Country Trail and is the most remote and rugged trails in Minnesota running through boreal forest and the Boundary Waters.
She takes two big falls, not hurting herself, but realizing her body is breaking down and gets "kekked" (lost) accidentally walking down two portages instead of on the main trail.
Rain comes and goes the entire way, but crossing the incredible architecture of beaver dams, and witnessing a stunning moonrise make up for it.
MUSIC: Introduccion y allegro by Carlos Guastavino as played by Alison Young, flute and Vicki Seldon, piano available on iTunes
The Blissful Hiker is reminded that backpacking is her favorite activity because she is at her most mindful and feels closest to the Goddess, a spirit guiding her to see the beauty in all things, even rain and leeches!
In this episode:
Blissful wakes up on her final morning on the island at Lane Cove, the wind up and wonders if her plane will be delayed.
She crosses a narrow bridge with a bee hive below.
A moose crashes through the forest when she arrives and a black fox leads her up to the ridge and fabulous views of Canada.
The trail is easy going to Rock Harbor and eventually departs, seeing the humpy green backbone of the island rising right out of the big lake and so grateful for all she saw.
MUSIC: Surveyors - Eagle Flies Away for horn and mixed media by Eric McIntyre(used by permission)
The Blissful Hiker meets trail angels who share food, beer and good advice, learning to be flexible at times and not hold too tightly to plans, because sometimes that can lead to a dangerous situation.
In this episode:
The trail is a Monty Python "Knights who say 'Ni.'"
Blissful crosses huge beaver dams, one with a sinking plank she just has to test, dumping right into the murky water.
At Todd Harbor, fisherman share dinner and laughs, looking out for her safety.
She meets trail angels at Todd Harbor.
Technical scuba divers arrive and give her good advice as the loons wail and beavers cannonball.
MUSIC: Surveyors - Eagle Flies Away for horn and mixed media by Eric McIntyre(used by permission)
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The Blissful Hiker continues her magical thru-hike of the very special island national park, Isle Royale. She discovers that the animal she would most want to be in another life is the busy beaver, a creature with the grit to swim fifteen miles to make this eden its home.
In this episode:
Feldtmann Tower is shrouded in mist and there are no views whatsoever, but other surprises await including thousands of spider webs glistening in tiny droplets of dew.
Seven Sandhill Cranes lift as one as Blissful arrives
She spends the her first night in one of the historic shelters built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s and laughs at the historic graffiti.
Her hike towards the Greenstone Ridge is a New Zealand flashback of mud and water, but soon heads high onto easy track.
The sky clears, but there are no views from the highest point, Mount Desor.
At Lake Desor, Blissful enjoys loons and a private, sandy beach looking right to the sunset.
MUSIC: Poema del Pastor Coya by Angel Lasala as played by Alison Young, flute and Vicki Seldon, piano available on iTunes
The Blissful Hiker visits a very special island national park, Isle Royale, a boreal forest and Canadian Shield "balds" wonderland in the far Northwest corner of Lake Superior that moose and wolves call home.
In this episode:
A weather delay sets Blissful up for a magical hike off her itinerary to Hugginin Bay.
Her hike takes her past an embarrassment of thimbleberries and blueberries.
Some-thing(one) protects her from a hike-stopping injury.
She sees beaver, loons, red squirrels, a black fox and several moose, including one giant bull with a huge rack.
She enjoys two beautiful sunsets on the Big Lake, including at enchanted Rainbow Cove, a beach of water-worn stones.
MUSIC: Over Wild Solitude by Katherine Bergmanas played by the St. Olaf Norseman Band (used by permission)
The Blissful Hiker times the tides to kayak down the Puhoi River, rock hop then cross an estuary before walking down the North Shore to Auckland. Her young friend, Lydie, teaches her about the infinity loop and the circle inside it that represents our grounded selves.
In this episode:
Blissful is invited to stay as long as she likes at the Puhoi Pub and Hotel, then joins her young European friends to paddle down the river toward the coast.
The ranger invites them to camp on his lawn in Wenderholm.
A rock hop and a long road walk takes Blissful to Stillwater where another lawn camp is offered.
Another estuary with a deep river cross takes Blissful to the North Shore with on and off rain all the way to Devenport where the ferry shows up just as she walks down the pier.
MUSIC: Suite Argentina: Malambo by Horacio Salgán as played by Alison Young, flute and Vicki Seldon, piano available on iTunes
The Blissful Hiker wakes up on Pakiri Beach and heads right back into muddy bush where she meets two young people, then two more, who give her some very good advice.
In this episode:
Blissful heads into the bush for a few days and is now an expert at slogging through epic mud.
She instructs two slower hikers to just walk through it, and is invited to go first.
They camp together and offer Blissful a beer at the end of a hard day.
Breakfast is at the Dome Cafe where two more join in, also wise for their years, telling Blissful not to worry about anything and take each day as it comes.
They all meet up again at the Puhoi Pub where Blissful gets a well-deserved room fro the night.
MUSIC: Poema del Pastor Coya by Angel Lasalaas played by Alison Young, flute and Vicki Seldon, piano available on iTunes
This was especially important when she needed to face down an irrational fear of falling out of her kayak and being upside down in the water.
Here are some of those skills:
Positive Learning Environment.
Encourage Risk Taking.
Provide Feedback and Guidance
Promote a Growth Mindset
Just wanting to get better and do something out of our comfort zone isn't enough. Sometimes we need guide who possessed strong leadership and teaching skills.
Blissful will give her first TEDx talk this October in Manchester, New Hampshire! The subject is "Stepping into the Unknown." Get tickets here. Use coupon code "WILD" for a discount!
MUSIC: Introduccion y Allegro by Carlos Guastavino as played by Alison Young, flute and Vicki Seldon, piano.
The Blissful Hiker learns that her subconscious needed this journey of thousands of steps on the Te Araroa as well as important lessons about taking measured leaps of faith and letting go of the need to control to allow the trail itself to provide.
In this episode:
Blissful is awakened in Ruakaka by a bird with a microphone, then heads back on the beach.
She meets interesting characters at Dragonspell who tell her how important it is to take the long walk, and that the trail will provide.
The resident kiwi sings to her before a long day of road walking.
Just when she loses hope, she's back at the beach and surfers convince her to camp in the dunes, permission given by the residents.
MUSIC: Poema del Pastor Coya by Angel Lasala as played by Alison Young, flute and Vicki Seldon, piano available on iTunes
The Blissful Hiker is tripped by a branch, rolling her ankle and falling down hard. But miraculously, she can still walk and is offered many chances to start over on this hike, move on and forgive.
In this episode:
The day starts crossing the longest footbridge in the Southern Hemisphere over the Whananaki Estuary.
A local moves her along, as does a big black cow.
At Tane Moana, she sees a massive kauri and then wipes out and sprains her ankle.
A trail angel named Cheryl gives her ice, arnica and an Ace bandage.
Estuaries, beaches and bush take her finally to Tidesong, where she sees the "kayak boys" and a second chance to forgive and let go.
MUSIC: Movin' On by Rhonda Larson as played by Alison Young.