Beyond the Treeline
Exciting news, I just published my first solo book! Its title is “Beyond the Treeline”. Here is the official description of this new adventure book:
Discover an extraordinary story of resilience, faith, and the beauty of the human spirit in Beyond the Treeline. This inspiring book takes you on a mesmerizing adventure along the Loowit Trail, a rugged path encircling the breathtaking Mt. St. Helens.
Told through heartfelt snippets, the author shares a powerful and personal account of tackling this extreme trail while living with a disability. t's a story about determination, strength, and finding joy amid challenges. Conquering the Loowit meant facing physical limits head-on, but it also uncovered profound lessons about perseverance and the power of the human spirit.
Beyond the Treeline celebrates the triumph of rising above obstacles and the wisdom gained from every challenge. It's a call to action for anyone seeking courage, inspiration, or simply a reminder that their own path, no matter how difficult, can lead to extraordinary places.
Step beyond the treeline and find the courage to conquer your own challenges—one step, one moment, one story at a time.
This book has been a very long work in progress. The ebook version has rolled out to various outlets, with a print and digital version coming to Amazon here by the end of the month. Click the link below to see the retailers that it is at currently. I’d appreciate your support. In the rest of this substack I wanted to include the introduction of this book, free of charge.
Growing up, my Dad always had a Gifford Pinchot National Forest map laid out on the kitchen table. Its creases and folds showed all the adventures we had together. This map was more than just paper; it was our ticket to exploring nature and discovering its beauty. The forest, home to the famous Mount St. Helens, became our playground, a vast area waiting for us to uncover its secrets. We explored every inch we could find, from the calm waters of Packwood Lake, where the tall trees reflected on the surface, to the steep trails of Badger Peak that challenged us, and the peaceful shores of Coldwater Lake. Each trail we hiked added a new memory to our adventure, showing our love for the wilderness.
As a kid, I started highlighting on Dad’s Gifford Pinchot map to record our travels. I highlighted the trails and roads we took, remembering the unique things we saw and the wildlife we encountered. I made it a goal to explore the more than one million acres of this national forest, dreaming of the day I could say I had seen it all. It was a big dream, but it filled me with excitement and purpose, fueling my adventurous spirit and love for nature. Each hike was not just an adventure, but also a chance to connect with my Dad and the amazing landscapes around us, creating lasting memories in the heart of nature.
In 2006, my life took an unexpected turn when I received a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). This news hit me hard after I had been experiencing troubling symptoms while hiking with my Dad. I remember feeling scared and overwhelmed, and I could have easily let this diagnosis shatter my spirit. Instead, it sparked a fire within me that I didn’t know was there. I adopted a new mantra: to push through no matter what challenges came my way. I found strength in the verse from Nehemiah 8:10, which says, "The joy of the Lord is your strength." This became my anchor during what felt like the toughest times in my recovery journey.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease that affects the central nervous system, which comprises the brain and spinal cord. It occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the protective covering of nerve fibers, known as myelin, leading to communication problems between the brain and the rest of the body. This disruption can result in a variety of symptoms, including fatigue, difficulty walking, numbness, and vision problems. The severity and progression of MS can vary widely from person to person, with some individuals experiencing mild symptoms and others facing significant challenges in their daily lives. Despite the overwhelming nature of this diagnosis, many people with MS find ways to adapt, seek treatment, and continue pursuing their passions, demonstrating remarkable resilience and strength.
The early days following my diagnosis were incredibly challenging and filled with uncertainty. I found myself struggling with basic tasks, like walking, and there were moments when I completely lost my mobility. Each setback was frustrating and sometimes disheartening, but I was determined not to let MS define who I was or how I lived my life. I knew I had to find a way to adapt and keep moving forward, no matter how tough things got. That’s when I discovered cycling.
Cycling became my outlet. By clipping my feet into the pedals, I was able to regain some control and independence, even with my limited mobility. The sensation of propelling myself forward on the bike gave me a sense of freedom that I desperately needed. I pushed myself harder than ever, determined to overcome the obstacles MS placed in my path. Each time I got on the bike, I felt a little more like myself again.
It was during this transformative phase that I set my sights on a new goal: the Loowit Trail. The term "Loowit" originated from the language of the local Klickitat tribe, reflecting their deep-rooted connection to the land. For the native people, the mountain held cultural and spiritual significance, revered not only for its majestic beauty but also as a symbol of resilience and transformation through its volcanic activity. By choosing to pursue the Loowit Trail, I aimed to honor this rich heritage while forging my own path of strength and perseverance in the face of Multiple Sclerosis. This trail is a challenging and ever-shifting path that encircles Mount St. Helens. I was captivated by its beauty and the thrill of tackling something so daunting. The thought of hiking this incredible trail filled me with excitement and anticipation. I knew it would take a lot of hard work and perseverance to prepare for this adventure, but I was ready to embrace the challenge.
I started training rigorously with cycling, gradually building my strength and endurance. The journey ahead would not only test my physical limits but also strengthen my resolve and spirit as I continued to navigate life with MS. Each day on the bike was a step closer to my goal, and I began to feel a deep sense of accomplishment.
As I trained, I also connected with others in the cycling community who inspired me with their own stories of overcoming challenges. Their support and encouragement fueled my motivation even more. I learned that I wasn't alone in my struggles, and that made a significant difference in my journey.
Preparing for the Loowit Trail became more than just a physical challenge; it was a way for me to reclaim my life and prove to myself that I could achieve great things despite my condition. The experience taught me valuable lessons about resilience, determination, and the importance of setting goals. I was excited to see what I could accomplish as I continued forward, embracing the ups and downs along the way.
The Loowit Trail presented the perfect challenge for any outdoor enthusiast. Its length varied with each season, stretching anywhere from 30 to nearly 40 miles, depending on the conditions of its pumice-filled base. This meant that every season one attempted the trail, they faced a new adventure, as the terrain could change dramatically with the weather and time of year. To add to the excitement, there was no direct access to the trail itself; it could only be reached through a series of feeder trails. This unpredictability and the challenging nature of the route made it a true test of my endurance and willpower.
This book is a collection of snippets from my journey to conquer the Loowit Trail. I discovered that tackling this extreme trail required me to break it down into smaller, manageable sections. By embracing each part of the trek, I was able to fully appreciate the beauty and challenges it offered. Each hike along the Loowit Trail was unique, filled with breathtaking sights such as stunning views of nearby mountains, lush forests, and vibrant wildflowers, alongside unforgettable memories that I will cherish forever.
Throughout this experience, my determination to not let a disability stand in my way became a powerful driving force that fueled my perseverance. Each step I took along the trail was a testament to my strength and resilience. I learned that the journey was not just about reaching the end but about enjoying the incredible adventures along the way. The Loowit Trail taught me valuable lessons about overcoming obstacles, embracing challenges, and finding joy in the journey itself.
Throughout the years, my health has gone through many ups and downs, but I always faced each challenge head-on. With every effort I made, my body responded in different ways. Sometimes it pushed back, reminding me of its limits, but more often than not, it amazed me with its strength and resilience. This book tells the story of those experiences, capturing my journey of rising above obstacles and thriving even when the odds seemed stacked against me. It serves as a tribute to the incredible power of determination, showcasing how one's will can overcome difficulties. It also highlights the beauty found in nature and the strong, unbreakable bond that exists between my Heavenly Father and His child. As I navigated through tough times, my relationship with the Lord deepened, proving that love and support can be a guiding light in dark moments. Through these pages, I hope to inspire others to embrace their own journeys, no matter how challenging they may be.