26.5 Aspen Miles: Finding Inspiration on the Hardest Trek of My Life

Goose Creek Trail – 7/18/2025

I just returned from a 3-day, 2-night backpacking trip with friends—26.5 miles in total. Let me tell you, it was the hardest trek I’ve ever done. Blisters, aching muscles, and moments when I wasn’t sure I could take one more step… but also, beauty beyond words. Towering mountain peaks, quiet

streams, and the most enchanting groves of aspen trees I’ve ever seen.

There’s something about hiking that strips life down to the essentials. You carry what you need. You keep moving forward. And you discover what you're capable of. That’s exactly what this trip was for me: a reminder of how vital it is to challenge ourselves—to set goals that feel just a little bigger than what we think we can handle—and then dig deep, find some grit, and go for it anyway.

The highlight? The aspen groves—lush, vibrant, and alive with movement. Being surrounded by massive aspens—some so wide I couldn’t even wrap my arms around them—felt like stepping into a living painting. Their bright green leaves danced and shimmered against the stark white and black bark, earning their name: quaking aspens. It was quiet, peaceful, and completely art-inspiring. Nature has a way of nudging us toward wonder, and the experience made me feel deeply connected to the journey I had just walked.

Being fully human means doing the hard things. Sweating. Struggling. Laughing with friends when you’re lost, tired (or hangry).

Enjoy my aspen-inspired art—born from a trail, a pack, a few blisters, and a whole lot of soul.