Benton MacKaye Trail: Deep Creek Bridge

Deep Creek Crossing It’s October, 2009. I’m standing on the north side of Deep Creek in the Smokies. “It’s not good to be here alone”, I thought. “It’s not safe here. I shouldn’t be doing this by myself. I should turn back. Is there another way?” I’m at mile 44, three miles shy of the …

Hiking Memories: Four Seasons

Four Seasons on the Benton MacKaye Trail Reflections on Mileposts on the Trail Regina Reiter BMTSouthbound – June, 2009; October, 2009; January, 2013 BMTNorthbound- April, 2010 BMT Davenport Gap to Beech Gap, January, 2010 Links: Photos, Journals, Reflections, Slide shows http://www.trailjournals.com/mssnglnk     Pictures galore in many trail journals https://forgivenesswalks.com/newsletter-archives/   Words for Winter Walking series https://forgivenesswalks.com/benton-mackaye-trail/    First …

Walking with Authenticity: Sunrise on Noland Divide

Sunrise on Noland Divide From Regina’s 2013 Journal – Winter Walk on the Benton MacKaye Trail It’s our fourth morning on the trail. It’s still dark, but the short day length nudges me to wake up and get started before daylight. I listen. “It’s not raining! Hurray! “   The lack of falling rain, however, does …

Benton MacKaye Trail Winter Thru-Hike Slide Show!

Regina, founder of Forgiveness Walks, completed the 300-mile Benton MacKaye Trail during a walk in January, 2013. Follow her journey, photographed by John Lemberg in slides and music. Please comment below! Take your own journey! Walk into YOUR dream! Let Regina and Forgiveness Walks inspire, train, and coach you to love yourself and your life …

Resourcefulness on the Trail

In this photo, I’m wearing my food-bag skirt! My shorts had ripped and my rainpants were too hot. When backpacking, I don’t carry extra clothes, just one of each type, except socks. I cut the bottom seam of my nylon food bag, which turned out to be just the perfect size for a drawstring skirt. …

Completing Heartsinging Projects

I’m standing on Big Frog Mountain just north of the Georgia-Tennessee border, marveling at the crystal bright snow and shuddering in the cold. “Let’s get out of this wind!  I’m glad we didn’t camp up here last night.” My hiking partner and I turn to go, heading southward on the Benton MacKaye Trail. My shoulders …