10/03/2025
Six years ago today I made friends with this Oak Tree in Scotland. It was the first day of my walk on the West Highland Way.
I almost cancelled my trip because I hadn’t saved up quite as much fun money as I’d wanted to have for the journey. But luckily I had pre-paid for pretty much all of it, and I didn’t want to lose my investment.
That was such a great summer - I got my reiki master teacher certification, saw a bunch of my Colorado people (special shoutout to for the meet up!), went on so many training hikes, started my camp host gig, and got to have Indy spend most nights in my trailer with me. The Celtic Festival was epic and my braids lasted for 5 or 6 days afterward. The anticipation of the trip and all the preparation was a big part of the fun, but arriving in Scotland was truly magical.
Having nothing whatsoever to do but put one foot in front of the other in gorgeous scenery for 7 days was incredible. It was hard. I was tired. It rained so much even Scottish people commented on the weather (a hurricane hit Ireland and the resulting storm was a doozy). But I just kept going and reminding myself that I can do hard things.
Looking back now, I’m so thankful I didn’t cancel, and so proud of myself for going solo and going the whole 96 miles (plus an accidental detour). I didn’t know it then, but I was really going to need the reminder that I can do hard things.
Like saying goodbye to dear Indy.
Like changing careers.
Like living through a global pandemic.
Like being on a healing journey.
Like being the witness of everything that is happening in this world right now, and the pain we inflict on each other.
It’s hard to stay hopeful sometimes.
But there are new doggies to love.
And good friends to be made.
And new skills to learn.
And music and laughter and love despite it all.
Gotta get back to the trail so I can catch up with that tree.
Image Description: Courtney, a white woman with red hair up in a tight braid stands in front of a large oak tree. She is wearing a purple shirt and smiling at the camera, blue sky is visible through the tree branches (it didn’t start raining until a couple days in).
