Today I turned 40 years old with a bottle of champagne and my family on a summit overlooking the North Cascades. We kicked off the weekend on the Pacific Crest Trail at Harts Pass near Canada. The PCT was the first “big girl” trail I hiked after moving to Seattle in 2013. Spending time in complete silence (for hours) was a first for me. It truly changed my life. When I finally grew comfortable paying attention without immediately reacting, I was really able to listen and see life around me in a way I never had before. If someone asks what really led to the end of my career, it was an internal shift I have a hard time describing but ultimately resembles self-awareness, and it probably began on the PCT. I met several through hikers this weekend who started at the Mexico border and were almost done. I asked what they planned to do after such an accomplishment. “Go home and get back to work,” most said. At first it seems anticlimactic but I remember Trent Peterson, a young man whose story I told years ago, as he rode wild mustangs along the PCT. He used to say that the PCT is just a trail, what matters is that we slow down, pay attention and see clearly whatever path we’re on. I looked up a quote from that report to share with you all.
“This isn't to advocate for the PCT. The PCT is just a trail. Get out of the rat race and slow down. Pay attention to the little things, not just the big things, because it's the whole picture we need to be aware of," he said.
Our goats just love getting stuck! Also, what would you do about this BIG question we have?! This video was filmed before Heidi had her last set of kids (the live birth we watched) but we have the same question today.
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The media often reports that "doctors say" or "experts say" you shouldn't consume raw milk, and that it has no nutritional benefits compared to pasteurized milk. This is false. Dr. Leland Stillman describes the benefits of drinking raw milk.
COD LIVER/BUTTER OIL (Promo code "Alison" for 10% off):
https://www.greenpasture.org/
ALISON'S WINE CLUB:
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We lost our favorite goat this morning to bloat. Needless to say I'm a bit misty-eyed today. At least I was with him when he passed.
@AlisonMorrow - Have your gear ready beforehand so you aren't trying to play catch up. We have a shortage of farm vets in WA, so we're on our own.
@AlisonMorrow
@RobertBarnes gave your Raw milk video a shout out tonight at minute 59
https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/upost/7227362/live-bourbon-w-barnes-tuesday-august-26-2025