Musings with Mile Marker

Mile Marker departs from Kearny Arizona donut in hand as she embarks into the Gila River Canyon. She crosses the low point of the Arizona Trail and still has pizza to munch on! Tune into this episode to hear about running into Robert and debating when to hold on to old acquaintances or embrace meeting new ones.00:00:00 Episode 1800:01:03 Day 18 hiking audio clip00:09:21 Robert did a flip-flop hike segment00:12:07 Letting people enter and exit your life00:18:23 Flavien the bocce-playing French waiter

Mile Marker makes it into Kearny Arizona dripping wet and huddled in the back of the local pizza man's truck! She fills up with pizza and a supply box of goodies shipped to the trail angel's house. Tune into this episode to hear about expecting the unexpected on trail can be advantageous in regular life. And remembering the importance of taking a deep breath once in a while.00:00:00 Episode 1700:01:02 Day 17 hiking audio clip00:04:25 Mile 264  the Town of Kearny, an Arizona trail gateway community00:11:16 An unexpected visit from Gary, another trail angel00:12:47 More yoga, less stress, more whimsy

Mile Marker is cruisin' her way through Arizona. With 25 miles and 2,600 feet of elevation gain down, it is time to kick back, relax, and eat a pop tart. She muses on how nice it is to be on a truly pedestrian-centric path for so many days. This is in contrast to how sometimes the roads of Austin can feel not bike-friendly at times.00:00:00 Episode 1600:01:14 Day 16 hiking audio00:07:05 Austin Ghost Bike memorials00:11:08 Ways to collect water on the AZT00:12:43 The joys of rain catchment barrels00:14:36 Walking tamales and Pop-tarts reign supreme

A storm has struck the Arizona Trail! The tent is filling with water! But all hope is not lost. Tune in to this episode of Musings with Mile Marker as she hikes 18 miles in the Black Hills of Arizona. She recollects on how adapting is paramount and how 18 miles may be her benchmark between comfort and breaking in to tougher territory.00:00:00 Episode 1500:01:28 Day 15 hiking audio00:05:53 Freestanding versus non-freestanding tents00:09:09 Sleeping bag sleeve rain debacle00:12:50 Adapt, adapt, adapt!00:16:09 My 2026 resolution to "discover what I am capable of"

Goodbye southern passages, welcome to the central passages of the AZT! Mile Marker muses on how she made it a whole 200 miles over the last 14 days. Tune into this episode to hear about how small interactions with the people around us can become so fulfilling overtime.00:00:00 Episode 1400:02:18 Day 14 hiking audio clip00:05:46 To remember or not to remember, that is the question00:8:04 Saying hi to the baristas00:13:01 Many small things create a big thing

After a spectacular night on Romero Pass, Mile Marker makes her way through Summerhaven to Oracle, Arizona! Join her as she wanders through the Wilderness of Rocks and meets new hikers on trail. Tune into this episode to hear about why you should always prepare for what is ahead.00:00:00 Episode 1300:02:37 Day 13 hiking audio clip00:07:01 Run out of water? It is a big deal!00:10:00 Fifth wheel and all her glory00:12:52 The Biosphere 200:14:45 Epic sunrise and sunset on Romero Pass

Mile Marker is in Tuscon! Join her as she heads out from town and hits the trail from Molino Basin, through Hutch's Pool, and up to Romero Pass on Mount Lemmon. Tune into this episode to hear about some life lessons learned from a rock climbing podcast she listened to while on trail.00:00:00 Episode 1200:01:09 Day 12 hiking audio clip00:07:29 Lo mein for lunch....what a thrill!00:15:00 Strength at end range00:18:48 Am I just a goal-setting hypocrite?

Welcome to the 11th day on the Arizona Scenic Trail. This episode elaborates on Mile Marker's seemingly ordinary day on trail and off trail. She gets a ride with to town with trail angels. She goes to the laundromat. She sits in a hot tub! Tune into this episode to hear about how a typical day can be seen through a lens of abundance and appreciation.00:00:00 Episode 1100:01:00 Walking through "dry Scotland"00:03:14 Day 11 hiking audio clip00:09:49 Giving and receiving good deeds from strangers00:13:39 Living an "extra"ordinary life00:16:40 Embracing an abundance mindset

The winds shift when Mile Marker encounters a man atop Mica Mountain who seems up to no good. Tune in to this episode to hear about how she stays vigilant in listening to her instincts. The inclination to trust her instincts also surfaces in her daily life back in Austin.00:00:00 Episode 1000:01:51 Day 10 hiking audio clip00:06:56 Bad vibes arise00:09:00 Trust your instincts back at home too00:10:36 Three books teaching effective communication00:16:22 Revisiting child-like wonder

Mile Marker has a hiccup when she realizes she doesn't have as many meals as she planned to get her to Tuscon....Tune in as she discusses the importance of rolling with the punches and understanding that it is OK to ask for help.00:00:00 Episode 900:01:13 Excuse my tardiness in the release of this episode00:03:59 Day 9 hiking audio clip00:8:19 Day 10 hiking audio clip preview00:11:28 It is OK to ask for help00:14:50 Balance your expectations00:17:18 Same advice, another day

Mile Marker sets the stage by discussing her longing for blue bonnet flowers. Then we listen to an audio clip from the 8th day hiking on the Arizona Trail, recorded at the Colossal Cave Mountain Park.....Tune in to this episode to hear about why she wants to participate in activities when her whole heart is in it, not just because she feels like she "should" do something.00:00:00 Episode 800:01:18 Blue bonnets in Arizona?00:03:09 Day 8 hiking audio clip00:5:36 Sleeping pad in the sleeping bag sleeve00:07:57 The glorious Colossal Cave concession stand00:13:24 Human beings not human doings00:16:21 Buying dog food for the doggos in need

To help make this hiking feat feel more relatable, Mile Marker explains the helpfulness of a mobile map app called FarOut. Then we listen to an audio clip from the 7th day hiking on the Arizona Trail, which mentions a man's suspicious behavior at the trailhead bear box.....Tune in to this episode to hear about why she wants to approach situations believing most people have good intentions, even if the impact of their actions can initially be a challenge to accept.00:00:00 Episode 700:02:00 Introducing the FarOut app00:07:01 Day 7 hiking audio clip00:11:10 Reacting to the bear box water taker00:17:17 Sensitivity is a gift

This episode features two audio clips from Mile Marker's 19-mile day six hike. The first clip describes her mid-day pit stop seeking shelter at the Kentucky Camp homestead. The second clip remarks on her passing the 90 mile landmark. Tune in to this episode to hear about how she considers her hiking chops and why rainbows are worth the rain.00:00:00 Episode 600:01:16 Day 6 hiking audio clip 100:08:04 What it takes to become an expert00:13:28 Day 6 hiking audio clip 200:16:07 The rainbow of all rainbows

This episode elaborates on Mile Marker's first resupply stop in Patagonia. Patagonia provided her resupply food box, laundry, and fresh hot food!! Tune into this episode to hear about how she got off and back on trail and hear an audio clip from her 19-mile day five AZT journey.00:00:00 Episode 500:01:24 Off trail and into town00:07:46 Day 5 hiking audio clip00:12:40 Strava hiking stats00:18:41 Meet Morgan and Oberto00:21:25 You gotta live life on your toes

This episode reflects on Mile Marker's 10-day silent meditation retreat in New Ulm, Texas. Her decision to listen to the birds, notice wildlife, and cherish a life away from traffic while at the meditation center coincided perfectly with her Arizona Trail day 4 sentiments. Tune into this episode to hear about her appreciation for the world, on and off the trail.00:00:00 Episode 400:01:01 Trail magic explained00:03:24 A new podcast is born00:08:06 Day 4 hiking audio clip00:13:15 The little snake in the puddle on the left00:19:33 My interests are evolving

This episode elaborates on Mile Marker's newest upcoming adventure - a 10-day silent meditation retreat in central Texas. Her decision to sign up for the retreat, and accept the program when she was released from the waitlist, align with her mindset to do what is right when it is right. Tune into this episode to hear about her reluctance to accept trail magic in the form of a Reese's brownie and hear an audio clip from her 15-mile day three AZT journey.00:00:00 Episode 300:02:05 The silent meditation00:06:19 What it takes to just say "yes"00:11:37 Day 3 hiking audio clip00:15:32 The Reese's brownie is meant for you

This episode elaborates on Mile Marker's childhood and discusses a few quirks from her youth. These idiosyncrasies shaped who she is and helped her identify her favorite piece of hiking gear - the sun umbrella! Tune into this episode to hear about what defined her background and hear an audio clip from her 17-mile day two AZT journey.00:00:00 Episode 200:02:58 The quest for no trash00:06:23 Meet the Dr. Pepper lunchbox00:11:34 Day 2 hiking audio clip00:13:28 Blocking the sun then, shining the sun today

Mile Marker kicks off her first podcast episode! This podcast aims to discover what it means to live authentically. I work to uncover tools to help me be most present in my life. Each episode will discuss themes like how to listen to your body, understanding ways to be true to yourself, and learning what deep fulfillment looks like.The episodes will also relate to ideas inspired by my 2024 hike across the state of Arizona.The theme of day 1's hiking audio is what is a healthy way to find compromise.00:00:00 Episode 100:03:40 Taking time for myself00:08:35 Introduction to the Arizona Trail00:12:10 Day 1 hiking audio clip00:13:36 The origins of the name Mile Marker00:17:12 Compromise versus sacrifice