Musings with Mile Marker

Today is Mile Marker's one and only zero day on her hike of the Arizona Trail. Mesa Arizona experienced a downpour, but that did not put a damper on the visit to REI or Chinese food dinner. Tune in to hear her discuss the glorious picnic on day 21 and her opinions on rest.

00:00:00 Episode 22

00:01:05 The greatest picnic to ever picnic

00:05:39 My relationship with rest

00:10:02 Nervous system regulation, huh?

00:14:19 Seeking depth with levity

On her second day in the Superstition Wilderness, Mile Marker records her thoughts within a gusty wind. She remarks on the distinctions between BLM land, national forest, and wilderness land. She also compares arriving in Roosevelt Arizona to her recent hike around Mont Blanc in France, Italy, and Switzerland. Can you guess which had better mid-trail snacks...?

00:00:00 Episode 21

00:01:33 Day 21 hiking audio clip

00:04:56 BLM v national forest v wilderness characteristics

00:09:24 The mountain huts of Tour du Mont Blanc

00:13:50 Seeking authentic fare on every trail I embark on

Mile Marker passes the 300th mile on the Arizona Trail! She has quite a strenuous day hiking all of passage 18 and starting passage 19 of the Superstition Wilderness. Are the airplanes that make noises but are not visible a figment of her imagination? Is maintaining her sanity while dating in Austin another figment of her imagination?? Let's take a listen!

00:00:00 Episode 20

00:01:28 Day 20 hiking audio clip

00:06:40 Strava stats recap

00:10:55 Nick is a lil cray when he lost Morgan and me

00:13:00 I am a lil cray from the fictious trail airplanes

00:14:35 I am still a lil cray because I am out here dating...

While ambling through passages 16 and 17 of the Arizona Trail, Mile Marker encounters a rattlesnake! Yikes! She bushwacks to avoid getting too close and walks her fastest mile yet to put the threat behind her. She makes it to Superior Arizona where she makes some new friends and gets to sleep in a bed for the night.

00:00:00 Episode 19

00:01:22 Day 19 hiking audio clip

00:06:57 Rattlesnake on the trail

00:09:32 Welcome Laundry Basket

00:15:29 Welcome Geo Dude

00:17:03 Living an expansive life rather than a contractive one

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 18

00:01:03 Day 18 hiking audio clip

00:09:21 Robert did a flip-flop hike segment

00:12:07 Letting people enter and exit your life

00:18:23 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 17

00:01:02 Day 17 hiking audio clip

00:04:25 Mile 264  the Town of Kearny, an Arizona trail gateway community

00:11:16 An unexpected visit from Gary, another trail angel

00:12:47 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 16

00:01:14 Day 16 hiking audio

00:07:05 Austin Ghost Bike memorials

00:11:08 Ways to collect water on the AZT

00:12:43 The joys of rain catchment barrels

00:14:36 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 15

00:01:28 Day 15 hiking audio

00:05:53 Freestanding versus non-freestanding tents

00:09:09 Sleeping bag sleeve rain debacle

00:12:50 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 14

00:02:18 Day 14 hiking audio clip

00:05:46 To remember or not to remember, that is the question

00:8:04 Saying hi to the baristas

00:13:01 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 13

00:02:37 Day 13 hiking audio clip

00:07:01 Run out of water? It is a big deal!

00:10:00 Fifth wheel and all her glory

00:12:52 The Biosphere 2

00:14:45 Epic sunrise and sunset on Romero Pass