Laura Budde

Hello Friends! My name is Laura and I'm excited to connect with you as I embark on a northbound thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail with my husband Paul in April, 2023. I practice and instruct qigong, which has its roots in the observation of nature. This practice offers balance to the physicality of backpacking and I am very happy to bring it with me. I also enjoy painting, gardening and cooking and these are things I shall miss while on the trail. The AT is a pilgrimage. I hope to embrace both my vulnerability and strength while becoming more patient and comfortable with discomfort. I intend on developing a deeper connection with nature and humanity while cultivating inner peace and enhancing my perspective.

Posts

Week 15 – Taking a Break from the Trail at Day 100, Mile 1375.5

Week 15 – Taking a Break from the Trail at Day 100, Mile 1375.5

Hello Friends! Below are my last three journal entries. As we take a break from the trail, I thank you for following along on our journey. I do not

Jul 19, 2023 : Laura Budde
Week 14 on the AT -Interview with All Day, Three Months on Trail

Week 14 on the AT -Interview with All Day, Three Months on Trail

Hello Friends! The days continue and like many journeys, focus continually shifts to the end. Rationally, I know that the journey is the destination

Jul 14, 2023 : Laura Budde
Week 12 on the AT and Our Food Evolution

Week 12 on the AT and Our Food Evolution

Hello Friends! If you’ve read my preparatory blogs you know that All Day and I eat vegetarian. We stopped eating meat three years ago. We

Jul 5, 2023 : Laura Budde
Week 12 on the AT – Listening to Your Body

Week 12 on the AT – Listening to Your Body

Hello Friends! How does one listen to their body? In regular life it is easy to ignore our intuition when it comes to what our bodies really need.

Jul 4, 2023 : Laura Budde
Week 11 on the AT & the Virginia Blues

Week 11 on the AT & the Virginia Blues

Hello Friends! We love hiking and each day we get to hike on a new stretch of trail. A rare boardwalk moment. Still, it would be remiss of me

Jun 18, 2023 : Laura Budde
The Hiker Vortex. Week 9 on the AT!

The Hiker Vortex. Week 9 on the AT!

Hello Friends! As we travel the Appalachian Trail, we enjoy varied experiences. The trail comes with surprises, and we never hike the same area

Jun 17, 2023 : Laura Budde
Week 10 on the AT! Getting Around: Shuttles & Hitches

Week 10 on the AT! Getting Around: Shuttles & Hitches

Hello Friends! I thought it would be good to say a few things about shuttles and hitches along with our daily log. Long-distance hikers don’t

Jun 8, 2023 : Laura Budde
Trail Magic & Trail Angels Week 8 on the AT!

Trail Magic & Trail Angels Week 8 on the AT!

Hello Friends! Days continue to pass, miles are marked with white blazes and various situations present themselves. It continues to amaze me how the

Jun 4, 2023 : Laura Budde
Week 7 on the Appalachian Trail & Tramily Matters

Week 7 on the Appalachian Trail & Tramily Matters

Hello Friends! We keep on keeping on! This week we had a boost of enthusiasm as All Day’s brother came to hike with us for the week. We three made a

May 28, 2023 : Laura Budde
Who is this Weary Traveller? Week 6 AT Journal.

Who is this Weary Traveller? Week 6 AT Journal.

Hello Friends! The Appalachian Trail attracts a variety of people. People of all different ages and backgrounds. Coming together we form a sort of

May 18, 2023 : Laura Budde