Ruth Morley

After living overseas 18 years, I continue to enjoy exploring the world, especially via my own two feet. Doing the 1500 mile GR5 trail from the North Sea to the Mediterranean made me fall in love with long distance backpacking. Since returning to the US, I have completed the Appalachian Trail in 4 long sections over 4 summers, thru-hiked the Colorado Trail, done my first third of a three-part section hike of the Florida National Scenic trail and covered half of Ohio’s Buckeye Trail. I do all of this completely plant powered, dehydrating all my own food, free of animal products and no added salt, oil or sugars. I love the health benefits, as well as how great it makes me feel! Please join me as I tackle new trails and enter into my 8th decade of life.

Posts

And the Sun Sets on This Year’s Section of the Florida Trail

And the Sun Sets on This Year’s Section of the Florida Trail

During my hours and hours of walking on reroutes of my journey on roads, not the intended trails, and from the comfort of my room under the

Jan 28, 2024 : Ruth Morley
The People, the Places and the Perils of the Florida Trail

The People, the Places and the Perils of the Florida Trail

No, unlike what most people expect, I wouldn’t say that alligators are a major peril on this hike. The only ones I’ve seen have been at a distance

Jan 21, 2024 : Ruth Morley
The Many Personalities of Florida’s Ocala National Forest

The Many Personalities of Florida’s Ocala National Forest

I often think of my multi-week treks as simply a series of shorter sections of camping bookended by a zero day in which I sleep indoors and take a

Jan 14, 2024 : Ruth Morley
A Superlative Return to the Green, Green  Florida Trail! (And did I mention wet?)

A Superlative Return to the Green, Green Florida Trail! (And did I mention wet?)

Eleven months after finishing my first third of the amazing Florida Trail,  here I was back where I left limping unhappily with a twisted knee last

Jan 8, 2024 : Ruth Morley
Back to the Florida Trail Again, Powered by Plants

Back to the Florida Trail Again, Powered by Plants

When I last left you here at the Trek, I had just finished the Colorado Trail in September. What an awesome adventure that was!  491 miles from

Jan 1, 2024 : Ruth Morley
She Believed She Could So She Did: Finishing the Colorado Trail

She Believed She Could So She Did: Finishing the Colorado Trail

Most probably, I could have finished the Colorado Trail on my own, as I had done nearly all the rest of the trail.  But would it have been as

Sep 18, 2023 : Ruth Morley
In the Heart of the Colorado Trail’s Grad School: the San Juan Mountain Range

In the Heart of the Colorado Trail’s Grad School: the San Juan Mountain Range

I’ve read somewhere that all that southbound (SOBO) hikers have done on the trail up to San Luis pass approaching Creede has simply prepared them for

Sep 7, 2023 : Ruth Morley
The Peaks of my Colorado Trail Trek

The Peaks of my Colorado Trail Trek

I’ve crossed over countless passes on this amazing adventure on the CT.  But during the past few days, I reached what I considered the two peaks of

Aug 31, 2023 : Ruth Morley
Living the High Life on the Colorado Trail

Living the High Life on the Colorado Trail

When reaching mile 183.5 on the CT, right after Twin Lakes, where I last left you, the hiker has a choice of following either the Collegiate East

Aug 23, 2023 : Ruth Morley
The Colorado Trail Still Continues to Take My Breath Away, So To Speak

The Colorado Trail Still Continues to Take My Breath Away, So To Speak

And the amazing hiking continues!  The past six days have taught me firsthand why these are not named the Rocky Hills or the Mediocre Mountains.  

Aug 15, 2023 : Ruth Morley