It’s been quiet here.Maybe too quiet.Which usually means one of two things: I’m either dead or working. Lucky for you, it’s the latter. I disappeared for a bit. The difference is it was Not in the dramatic way this time. No spirals, no binges, no middle-of-the-night flights to some far-off country. Just a slow fade … Continue reading 🚁 Back in the streets, and then what?
Appalachian Trail Thru Hike
Kickstarting a Paramedic’s Tale: Dive Into the Grit of ‘Rescue and Redemption’
Discover 'Rescue and Redemption' on Kickstarter, a no-holds-barred look into EMS life, penned with the unfiltered candor of a seasoned paramedic. Inspired by the gritty realism.
Resilience on the Ragged Edge: Lessons from the Trail
🥾 #RescueAndRedemption Every step on the Appalachian Trail is a masterclass in humility and endurance, each day a raw, unfiltered glimpse into the soul of a hiker. The trail doesn't care who you are off the mountain; it only knows how to test your mettle, break you down, and see if you've got the grit … Continue reading Resilience on the Ragged Edge: Lessons from the Trail
Ponies, Peaks, and Margaritas: June 1st–10th on the Appalachian Trail
The Appalachian Trail has a way of pushing you to the edge—then throwing in just enough magic to keep you from walking away. These ten days were no exception. From dizzy spells and bear encounters to lazy afternoons by lakes and scrambling through fog-covered peaks, this stretch was as raw and messy as it was … Continue reading Ponies, Peaks, and Margaritas: June 1st–10th on the Appalachian Trail
Rain, Rocks, and Revelations: May 22nd–31st on the Appalachian Trail
The Appalachian Trail isn’t just a hike—it’s a proving ground. It tests your strength, patience, and sanity, all while dazzling you with glimpses of beauty so profound they leave you breathless. It’ll grind you into the dirt, then lift you high above the clouds. Over these ten days, the trail threw everything at me: torrential … Continue reading Rain, Rocks, and Revelations: May 22nd–31st on the Appalachian Trail
Ten Days, Two Hundred Miles: Lessons, Laughter, and a Sunrise on Max Patch
May 11th – A Milestone and an Unforgettable Shelter Night The trail had a way of surprising me. Sometimes it was with the miles, sometimes the people, and sometimes it was just the little victories that kept me going. That day, I hit 200 miles and climbed to Clingmans Dome, the highest point on the … Continue reading Ten Days, Two Hundred Miles: Lessons, Laughter, and a Sunrise on Max Patch
Starting Solo
I spent months and years preparing for my first attempt of the Appalachian Trail in 2019. I packed and unpacked my gear countless times, and ensured every single piece of gear was included. I painfully studied every once of gear for necessity versus its weight. The night before starting my first attempt of the Appalachian … Continue reading Starting Solo
The “Not so Past” Past
So I left you all with me, right where I wanted my career to be, driving around in my "Paramedic Supervisor SUV", being the EMS chief of a small fire department, working my butt off in "pre-med" college classes, and wondering why I was still unhappy. In hopes of finding the answers to life I … Continue reading The “Not so Past” Past
The Past
Hi everyone! Let me start out by saying that this blog page will be the mindset and personal thoughts leading up to and while I am on my hike of the Appalachian Trail. If you would just like to see the hike itself or are interested in gear and planning then you may be better … Continue reading The Past
Wandering with Johnny 