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My favorite adventure stories don’t involve escaping wild animals or venturing into remote forests. I’m most attracted to everyday people who take risks to follow their dreams, and if those dreams include some adorable dogs, so much the better!
Hiking Vacations With Dogs
Shirley Harman lives with seven dogs, and in 2016, at age 58, she embarked on a remarkable journey with Tina, a nine-year-old terrier mix, and Lisa, an 85-pound German shepherd.
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First, they traveled 3,500 miles from California to the Canada/Vermont border. They then hiked 275 miles on the Vermont Long Trail from the northern border to Massachusetts.
Shirley began her journey on September 2, 2016 and spent three weeks putting one foot in front of the other in the unique mud, pouring rain, and glorious New England autumn sunshine and spent the next two years writing about her adventure. Her book End to End tells the story of physical and emotional struggle and describes the beautiful bond that forms when humans and dogs work together to achieve a goal.
And Shirley’s journey on the Long Trail was very much inspired by her relationship with her dog and her adventurous spirit. I was lucky enough to catch up with Shirley last week to ask her some adventure questions.
For those who don’t know, The Long Trail is the oldest long-distance hiking trail in America and was completed in the 1930s.
Family Hiking In Mountains Parents With Child Travel Outdoor Active Healthy Lifestyle Summer Vacations Eco Tourism Stock Image
First, why the Long Vermont Trail? Obviously, there are many opportunities to hike in the Sierras, and I wonder what inspired you to hike 3,500 miles in Vermont.
I wanted to go to a green place, with lots of water and mild temperatures. After several years of drought and extreme heat living in California, it seemed as parched and dry as a crumb you shook off the bottom of the toaster.
I love the Sierra mountains of California and it’s sad to see the forests turning brown as the trees succumb to drought due to beetle infestations. Furthermore, there is a risk of fires, which are very dangerous and impossible to control in the remote and steep valleys. We increasingly have to live with smoke-filled skies and toxic air that make outdoor recreation unpleasant or dangerous.
I was seriously considering declaring myself a climate refugee and leaving California. For me, Vermont has always been the emerald state of my imagination, with rolling green hills, brown-eyed cows, and small family farms. I grew up in central New York and have fond memories of skiing in Vermont with my family and high school ski club.
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My brother is responsible for planting the idea of a long hike in Vermont in my mind. We hiked the Yosemite-Tahoe Trail together in 2012 and he told me about this trail that runs the length of the state of Vermont and that it seemed like the right length for a real adventure – in the Goldilocks zone – not too short and not too long. , not too easy, but not too difficult either (although I probably underestimated the difficulty factor!) and most importantly, there were no restrictions on bringing the dog on the trail. This is often the limiting factor for me, as they are my constant companions.
The biggest factor was that I desperately needed a radical change of scenery after caring for my parents in their later years, and I needed a release from the deep turmoil of work and responsibility that my life had become.
Mentally, I think the hardest thing was giving myself permission to run away and literally let go of my responsibilities: my husband, my house, my clinic and the 6 dogs that had to stay at home. I knew I had to do this for my mental and emotional health and that they would benefit from coming back stronger, happier and healthier, but it was hard to overcome the feeling that I was being selfish.
Finally, I consulted my inner dad a bit (I call him that because even though he’s passed away, I still talk to him about things and usually get an answer). Anyway, the answer I got was that I needed to travel, but I had to write it down and share it with others. So writing cover to cover was my way of sealing the deal!
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Physically – I went hiking whenever I had the chance. We have a play area right next to the road with a 9 mile walk around the lake with lots of downhill – we did that a lot. I thought I would have a slight advantage since most of my hiking in the West is at elevations above 6,000 feet and most of my hiking in Vermont is above 4,000 feet, but if it makes it easier, I sure don’t notice!
I also wanted to make sure the dogs were especially fit on their feet. The trails out west are often rough and rocky and sometimes dogs get sore feet after a few days, especially when crossing areas of volcanic rock. I was pleasantly surprised that the long trail was so gentle on the dogs’ feet – after three weeks of walking they were never sore or even lame!
The biggest challenge was dealing with Lisa’s predatory instincts. He wants to push anything that vibrates or squeaks! He pulls me even when I’m on a leash. It was good going up the hill, but it was a real hassle going down and it would have thrown me off balance.
But it was all good, because he made me work on training and communicating with him, and now our relationship is better than ever. Another challenge was ensuring they were getting enough calories and water to sustain their ongoing athletic activity. I always made sure they were taken care of before I took care of myself. The reward is a constant company of loving, fun, humorous, and dedicated men who will follow me anywhere.
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Hmm, it’s difficult. Taylor Lodge stands out in my memory because it was a welcome relief to enter its warm, dry grounds after a day of walking the Mansfield Trail in torrential rain. I will never forget the janitor who offered me strawberry and chocolate cookies! Most of the time, I preferred my little Hyperlight tent with just me, Lisa, and Tina. I always felt safe and comfortable, like a cave I guess.
Wow, I loved them all! Mansfield was absolutely magical as incredible thick fog swirled around us that morning. I love views (who doesn’t?), so Mount Abraham was probably a favorite for a 360 degree view. I could see the Adirondacks and Lake Champlain to the west, and I think it was the White Mountains of New Hampshire to the east.
In your book you talk a lot about how it helped you process your parents’ deaths. Was it something you planned or was it unexpected?
I was very aware of this journey as a rebirth, from my life with my parents alive to a new life with them as part of my world. Somehow, I knew I would be freer than ever, even though it was hard to stop obsessing over them. The trail helped me let them go, but it also made me realize they were still with me. This part was unexpected!
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No, but I never felt alone! You meet a lot of people on the trail, and they are almost always friendly and companionable, sharing similar experiences. Of course, there were always dogs to talk to, even when there were large tracts of land without people. They are excellent listeners and never get angry or complain.
I always feel safe with Lisa. My biggest fear when hiking is getting hurt or lost. That’s why I always have a well-stocked first aid kit for me and the dog. I have all the maps and a good GPS app on my phone, but I don’t count on it because the phone might die, so I have waterproof maps and a compass. I am very careful to learn as much as possible about the path ahead and always know where I am and watch each step so I don’t fall, slip or hurt myself.
It was much more physically demanding than I expected. I thought it would be easier compared to the Sierras because it’s all below 4,000 feet elevation, but at any elevation it’s steep and rugged.
I have more confidence in my abilities to face challenges and take care of myself and others. I feel more too
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