22 Comments
User's avatar
Kyle Shepard's avatar

I very much enjoyed reading this as I sipped my own dark magic this morning even though it made me feel lame for sitting on a comfortable couch, in a heated home, with dry clothes on… I’ll choose to be grateful for the technology before pursuing some deliberate discomfort for personal growth this afternoon haha. You keep getting better brother. I have no doubt this is intentional but I love how well your pictures align with your articles. The colors, objects, and environments all amplify what you’re writing about making it feel like I could be there with you (even though I’m not since I’m dry and comfortable and you’re wet and awesome).

Expand full comment
Erik Hogan's avatar

I don't think its ALL about giving up comforts. I'm not, ultimately, a follower of Diogenes! As I'm sure you know, we should be grateful for the couch/home/dry clothes while we have them, keeping in mind that there will be times that we won't. And then its time to embrace the suck and GET AFTER IT!!

I appreciate the comments about the photos. Trying to tell the story through images rather than just including the highlight landscape shots is fairly new to me, but I'm learning. Glad to hear that its well received!

Expand full comment
Kyle Shepard's avatar

Haha yeah I’m sure you know I’m mostly being silly. Those couches, thermostats, and dry environments are much easier to be grateful for when you routinely experience their counters.

Thanks for making my sunday mornings that much better!

Expand full comment
Philip Shepherd's avatar

Thank you for taking us on your journey. Looking forward to more tales and sights.

Expand full comment
Rachel Jeffrey's avatar

Always a great tale with beautiful photos to match. I yearned to see an epic view right alongside you!

Expand full comment
Erik Hogan's avatar

Thanks Rachel! Spoiler- I do get some views on Day 3!

Expand full comment
Baird Brightman's avatar

You really capture the experience so vividly, Erik! Reminds me of some miserable hikes in Maine (Mt. Katahdin etc) as a young boy. Humid, mosquitoes, constant tree-covered shade. I thought I hated "hiking". Then I experienced the sunny wide-open foothills and meadows of New Mexico and southern CA, and I realized it was just the wet shadowy part I hated. So I call it "walking" now!

Expand full comment
Erik Hogan's avatar

That's awesome Baird! I've never been to New Mexico or Southern California, but would love to see them! Although, I've been out west and up north (east and west) and I have to say that I'm in love with southern Appalachia, rain and shadow and skeeters and all.

Expand full comment
Baird Brightman's avatar

Skeeters ;(

Expand full comment
Erik Hogan's avatar

Lol. Yeah! But they're worth it when you get to see sun beams through broken clouds over rolling green mountains!

Expand full comment
Baird Brightman's avatar

Sounds like we’ve both found our perfect nature environments! That’s the ticket!

Expand full comment
Niki Elle's avatar

Oh man, what a wet and soggy day! I cringed reading about some of that...the rain pouring on you *as you pack up in the morning,* the thunder booming overhead...the wet socks...ugh!! Love the little reflection about how sometimes life sucks and the answer really is as simple and hard as "keep walking ahead unbowed." Side note...I LOVE that self portrait of you sipping your coffee, huddled in the shelter of the tree!🤣 you look miserable but it's still somehow an awesome picture.

Expand full comment
Erik Hogan's avatar

Gah! When I finally saw that photo all I could think was that I wish I'd taken more with better expressions on my face! But, rain was getting on the camera so I just took a quick one and put it away. At least it's an honest photo, right? 😁

Expand full comment
Niki Elle's avatar

Hahahaha oh no! I for one enjoy the sincerity, even if you wish you had a different expression. And you even got a story out of it!

Expand full comment
Holly's avatar

A really stunning journey. Your photography is amazing. You've got grit - so much more than me.

Expand full comment
Erik Hogan's avatar

Hey, thanks Holly! Every person has their own valuable perspective on life. I like sharing mine, but everyone has their own fascinating view!

Expand full comment
James Hider's avatar

Fantastic post Erik. Your words and images are so evocative of the experience; I was right there with you (and kind of jealous about all that fog after a continuing long summer of blue skies). I really felt your dilemma about taking time to photograph or keep on walking - I feel the pain!

Expand full comment
Erik Hogan's avatar

Hey thanks! The fog is really interesting at first, but man was I hoping for some views! I did get some the next day, though!

Expand full comment
Kristi Keller's avatar

Again, these photos are spectacular. The mood of this piece though. I wanted to pack up and go home for you lol. I felt cold and depressed reading this 😁

Expand full comment
Erik Hogan's avatar

Lol! That turns around big time on day 3!

Expand full comment
Kristi Keller's avatar

Looking forward to it. Will that be tomorrow's?

Expand full comment
Erik Hogan's avatar

Yeah, tomorrow morning!

Expand full comment