Doc On The Trail : An Introduction

Watch Out for That First Step, It’s A Doozie

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“Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars and see yourself running with them.” ∼ Marcus Aurelius

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Here we all are, and here I am! My name is Ben but in this realm of us explorers you can call me Doc. A Doctor you say! Not quite, although my handwriting suggests I may very well make it through medical school if I tried. Ha! No, I earned that title as a US Army Combat Medic. Eight years of service with time in Iraq as well (OIF 07-09) it’s a title we medics respect as we care for those who fall before us. I hail from the Hot Springs National Park Arkansas area and have spent many years exploring the Natural State and all its amazing trails, vistas, caves and waterfalls. I highly recommend a visit here to Ozark or Ouachita National Forest if you have yet too.

I find myself to be a father first to two amazing girls, a patriot who loves our country and the family lineage of service to it, and an all-out adventurist and deep thinker. I’ve spent a lifetime helping others, and at a cost to myself. Working over twenty years as an Emergency Medical Technician in addition to my service time, six years as a Forensic Investigator with our State Crime Laboratory and now work full time as a Medicolegal Death Investigator for my local county. Recently I’ve begun a campaign to vest those deep dark places I’ve manufactured inside myself and strive to bleed it all out on the trails of this great nation.

I have been a day hiker for many years however my eyes and my respect have always been on thru hikers. The images, the stories, the ups and downs it’s like a mini life and death of an accomplishment, a sunrise to sunset type of experience that changes all who dare. My plans this year are to complete the Ouachita National Recreation Trail, among other popular train up hikes we have here in the state such as Eagle Rock Loop and the Ozark Highlands Trail. I invite all to join, read, contact and share in this wonderful community.

My thanks goes out to all those who have given back to the natural world and navigate with it respect as the stewards we are to this pale blue dot. My goals are to represent and motivate veterans old and young alike to seek the outdoors and its many routes of self-care to a better you. Not only veterans of my generation from Operation Iraqi and Enduring Freedom, or Operation Inherent Resolve, but all who have served and all those who will serve. Updates to come! Good things on the horizon. Feel free to follow me on YouTube or Instagram or right here where the trail mojo is sweet, as its coined. Cheers to you all and looking forward to an amazing year.