Chasing the Spark: Heatwaves, Hitting New Miles, and Giant Trolls

This past week here in Shenandoah National Park brought a heavy dose of midsummer reality. High heat, oppressive humidity, and hazy skies filled with Canadian wildfire smoke kept a lot of us indoors, peering longingly out the window.

When the conditions cleared up just enough, Bill and I headed out to squeeze in some miles. We ended up on two sections of the Appalachian Trail in the North District of Shenandoah that, surprisingly, I had never set foot on before.

Standing there, looking at a stretch of local trail that was completely fresh to my eyes, I had a sudden moment of clarity.

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The Longing for "Around the Next Bend"

I realized that my recent summer malaise wasn't solely caused by bad air quality or weather restrictions. It was a deeper, quieter feeling: I miss the daily magic of the unknown.

When you walk a trail for the first time, your senses tune in differently. There is an unmistakable electricity in wondering:

• What will I see around the next bend in the trail?

• Who will I cross paths with today?

• What personal revelations or quiet discoveries will I make?

• What physical or mental challenges will I confront and overcome?

Familiar trails are comforting old friends, but new trails awaken our sense of wonder.

Goldilocks & Rana at an AT Trailhead in Shenandoah National Park

Planning the Next Adventure

That small realization was all the spark I needed to start planning our next big outing—a 10-day journey up to New Hampshire.

The trip will be a mix of peak-bagging and slow exploration. Bill will be joining his brothers—affectionately known as The Three Amigos—to hike a few of New Hampshire's famous 4,000-footers. While they're up on the high peaks, I'll be down below discovering new quiet trails, wandering through local farmers' markets, and soaking in small-town New England charm.

But the rest of our days up north are dedicated to two very special quests: diving into some family ancestry research and going troll hunting.

Wait... Troll Hunting?

If you haven't encountered them yet, let me introduce you to the magical world of Thomas Dambo. He is a Danish artist who builds enormous, enchanting troll sculptures out of recycled wood and debris, placing them in secret spots around the world. Each troll family tells a story rooted in environmental stewardship, conservation, and protecting the wild spaces we love.

If you want to dive down a fun rabbit hole, check out Troll Map to see where these giants are hiding across the globe (and right here in the U.S.).

Sometimes, when the summer days feel heavy or routine sets in, all it takes is a short walk on an unfamiliar stretch of dirt—or the promise of a giant wooden troll in the woods—to remind us why we love to wander.

Goldilocks & Rana with Little Sally in High Point, NC

How do you reignite your outdoor curiosity when you're feeling stuck? Have you ever visited one of Thomas Dambo's trolls? Let's chat in the comments below!