Time off the Trail

Sometimes life makes us slow down and focus on other things. It’s been a while since my last post. Work, health and heat have kept me away from the trails that I love. However, this has been a good rest and I am eager to get back out, especially on the Mountains to Sea Trail to celebrate the 46th Birthday!

I want to introduce you to a new project I have had the pleasure of working on with my wife. In August, my wife Kimberly and I launched Grateful Pen Publishing. This is a platform for us to self publish several projects we have been dreaming about for years.

Kimberly has been creating characters and stories for as long as I have known her. In the past few years, she has developed a captivating and cheerful character, Heelda the Cat. She has written and illustrated several books in the series with many more to come.

I assisted her in writing Heelda the Cat and Hiking Safety. This is a fun and engaging book that will help kids learn to prepare for the trails. We believe it is never too early to start teaching kids about being prepared on the trail.

We have other hiking books coming out soon. This winter we will be releasing a book teaching kids about respecting nature, and I also plan on creating books specific to the Mountains to Sea Trail. I am excited about where this will take us. I am nearing the completion of my Blue Ridge Naturalist Certification and I hope to use Heelda the Cat as a platform to introduce kids to conservation and enjoying the outdoors.

All of the books are now available on Amazon and there are many more exciting Heelda the Cat Adventures coming soon.

Heelda the Cat has her own Website and you can find it here – Heeldathecat.com

She is also on Instagram

and Facebook

Please come join us !!!!

40 Hike Challenge 2023 Year of the Trail Bladen Lakes Blue Ridge Parkway Conserving Carolina Eno River Falls Lake Florence Nature Preserve Heelda The Cat Hickory Nut Gorge Hiking Jones Gap State Park Lake Lure Linville Gorge Mountains to Sea Mount Mitchell North Carolina Trails Rumbling Bald SC Trails Transylvania County Wilderness Gateway State Trail