The Next Chapter: The Woman in the Canyon

The Big Idea

The Big Idea

As I put the final touches on The Woman on the Ferry and gear up for the marketing process, my mind is already spinning with ideas for the next book. Last year, inspiration landed in my lap when a friend sent me Squatter: One Woman’s Journey to Reclaim her Spirit on the Ice Age Trail (by Yolanda Deloach). I devoured it, instantly recognizing many of the Wisconsin landmarks and feeling a deep connection to her 1,000-mile journey. That book sparked my own challenge: hiking 1,000 miles in five months.

Now, I’m getting ready for an entirely different adventure. In just over three weeks, I’ll be heading to Utah to spend the summer renting out eBikes and leading ATV tours near Bryce Canyon National Park. But, of course, I can’t resist a hiking challenge! This summer, I plan to document stories from fellow travelers and campground neighbors—woven together with a new hiking goal.

Big Idea #1: 100 Trails

Last year, I needed to average 6.5 miles of hiking per day to reach my goal. This time, my schedule looks different. With a workweek of three to four days, my hikes must fit around my job.

In 2021—my second year on the road—I spent most of September exploring Utah’s canyonlands. That month was pure magic, and I can’t wait to return. One thing I know for sure: this region is packed with jaw-dropping hiking trails.

Hiking in Utah, 2021

Here’s the thing about me—I love challenges. I always have. Pushing boundaries, accomplishing more, and seeking joy fuel me. So, here’s my next one: hiking 100 trails. That means averaging about four different trails per week, which will be tricky given my workload, but I’m up for it. Check out this dream lineup:

• Bryce Canyon National Park

• Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

• Red Canyon

• Zion National Park

• Capitol Reef National Park

• Dixie National Forest

No specific distance requirement—just 100 trails. I can do this!

Big Idea #2: Breathwork

Just when I started pondering this year’s theme, a book practically jumped off the shelf: Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art, by James Nestor. It’s a mind-blower. This book challenges everything we think we know about breathing and its impact on health.

There is nothing more essential to our health and well-being than breathing: take air in, let it out, repeat twenty-five thousand times a day. Yet, as a species, humans have lost the ability to breathe correctly, with grave consequences. - James Nestor

The book highlights coherent breathing, a technique involving slow, steady breaths (around five to six per minute) to regulate the nervous system and create a state of calm and clarity. This idea got me thinking about coherence—that sweet spot where the heart, brain, and nervous system synchronize. It’s the elusive “hiker’s high” I occasionally experience.

So, what if I could intentionally enter that state? Could breathwork techniques elevate my hikes and help me push through challenges at high altitudes (Bryce Canyon sits at around 8,000 feet)? Time for an experiment!

Nestor’s book also references Wim Hof, aka the “Iceman,” famous for his extreme cold-exposure feats. While I won’t be sitting in ice baths, his breathing techniques reportedly boost endurance and longevity. Could they help me hike farther and recover faster? I’m about to find out.

Big Idea #3: Resilience

If breathwork and hiking form the foundation of this book, resilience is its heartbeat.

Writing The Woman on the Ferry required me to reflect deeply on joy and success. But editing those chapters while watching democracy and human rights come under attack in America was tough. Lately, I’ve been asking myself: How do we keep going? How do we hold onto hope?

The answer always comes back to resilience—both personal and planetary. The natural world teaches us this daily. Life persists. Forests recover. Wounds heal. And that’s where I want to focus this new book.

This idea is still evolving. Conversations with travelers and fellow campers will shape it. Stories will unfold naturally. But one thing is clear—this book will be about strength, adaptability, and the power of movement to heal and inspire.

Book Synopsis

The Woman in the Canyon: A Journey of 100 Trails to Uncover Resilience and Embrace Wonder

What happens when you step into the canyon—not just to admire its beauty, but to test your limits and rediscover your resilience?

In The Woman in the Canyon, I embark on a journey to hike 100 trails in and around Bryce Canyon, weaving together adventure, breathwork, and the stories of fellow travelers I meet while working as an ATV guide.

Through every climb, every descent, and every mindful breath, I explore what it means to push beyond limits, embrace uncertainty, and find wonder in the unexpected.

Part memoir, part exploration, and part guide to resilience, this book invites you to step outside, breathe deeply, and embark on your own journey of discovery.

✨ A story of adventure, breath, and the courage to keep moving forward. ✨