16 Comments
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Kyle Shepard's avatar

Where does the trail start next? Love it.

Looking forward to your eventual answer!

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Erik Hogan's avatar

Thanks Kyle! I’m coming out of a rough week that culminated in my father-in-law’s funeral yesterday. Lots of questions in my mind about what comes next, to be honest.

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Kyle Shepard's avatar

Sorry to hear of your passing brother. Keep asking those questions and leaning on your beautiful philosophy. Time will tell

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Charles Corbit's avatar

Thank you for these wonderful images

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Erik Hogan's avatar

I really appreciate that Charles!

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Mike Lovette's avatar

It sounds like you had a wonderful trip. Even though the fog may have hidden some of the vastness of the wilderness, there is something enchanting about hiking through the foggy forest. Also, I really like the trail portraits they add to the authenticity of the story. I’m looking forward to more.

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Erik Hogan's avatar

It was really interesting to experience fog like this. It's been a rare condition for most of my trips. Thanks Mike!

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Niki Elle's avatar

Erik, great piece as always. It seemed that aside from day 3, all of your hike was foggy! I loved the photos that still managed to feel colorful, even against such a gray backdrop. That feeling of ending a hike sure is real. And also, I laughed at your random encounter with the British fellow carrying a bag "like some sort of savage." Costco has a funny habit of carrying random things too, and I say, why not put it in your pack...!?

On a more serious note - first, I'm glad you're taking time off to resettle. I love Substack, and I also feel the pressure of a publishing schedule from time to time. I think it's good to step back when that happens. This is our art, not our job.

Second and harder, I saw your comment above about your father-in-law. I'm sorry. My heart goes out to both you and your wife. (And your kids too, if they were close to their granddad) I hope you're as gentle with yourself as you can be, going into a new week.

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Erik Hogan's avatar

That guy was pretty surreal in the fog, ambling along. Why wouldn’t he just put the food back in/on his pack, lol?!?

I’m realizing that I’m putting way too much pressure on myself over Substack. I mean, I like it and want to put my best effort into it, but I do need to take a breath. Sometimes it feels like a house of cards that might collapse, though. Thanks again for the perspective!

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Niki Elle's avatar

Haha my thoughts exactly! And yeah I get that. The nice thing about Substack (so far) is that it seems folks here are really willing to embrace that humanness; we don't need to perform and post every day to maintain readers, because it's relationship based, and not JUST content consumption.

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Jesse C. McEntee's avatar

Excellent details, Erik. Love that photo of the tent.

I hear you about the publishing schedule...weekly is a grind. No complaints from me if you skip weeks 👍🏻.

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Erik Hogan's avatar

I appreciate that Jesse! I'm self reflecting on what I'm actually trying to accomplish and where I want to go. I need a little break, but overall I have a sense that I'm only getting warmed up!

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Gill Moon Photography's avatar

A really enjoyable read Erik with some lovely moody photographs. Your blog posts really bring your journeys to life and I enjoy following along on routes that I am never likely to walk.

I understand your need to take time off. I was feeling the same. Substack is a wonderful platform, full of interesting people with fascinating stories but keeping up with a weekly writing schedule and reading all the articles as well is very time consuming and the pressure can get too much. I hope the rest will be restorative.

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Erik Hogan's avatar

On these longer trips I have started to try telling the story through the images, with a mix of shots that establish the location, some of the action, and details. And, of course the highlight landscape shots when I find them. I still have a long way to go, but it sounds like it's coming across! Thank you Gill!

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James Hider's avatar

Fantastic story and images Erik. I find that my trips into the wilderness are greatly enhanced by knowing I will likely write a post about the trip - like photography, it makes you look much more closely and reflect on what you see in a more intentional, articulate way. But it should always be fun - I will eagerly wait for the next adventure, whenever that may be.

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Erik Hogan's avatar

So true! It's almost a mindful experience of self reflection while you're still in the moment. Thanks James, it will probably be some shorter trips until the fall when hopefully I can actually do the Bartram Trail!

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