The Story of Hike Weirdo

Hike Weirdo was born on the trail. While out hiking with a great group, our guide informed us that many years ago there had been a plane crash up on the hill to the right. It was a fairly steep hill and I instantly felt the urge to climb it and see what was on the other side. “Let’s go and see if we can see anything,”

I said to the co-leader. “Okay, let’s,” she said, making a pretend gesture to run. I thought she was calling my bluff, so I said, “Okay, let’s go.” She made the gesture again and I soon realized that she didn’t want to run up the hill. I felt a little foolish and in a moment of negative self-talk, I silently called myself a weirdo. 

Then, in my head as clear as day, I heard, yeah, you’re a weirdo, you’re a Hike Weirdo.

Ohhh, I thought, Hike Weirdo, I like that, I need a shirt that says Hike Weirdo. 

Meanwhile, the group leader said, “C’mon, I want to go up there too,” and up and over the hill we went to explore.

There is a weirdo in all of us. The thing you’re into that maybe no one else in your circle is into. The thing you’re passionate about, could talk about or do all day. The thing you feel most alive doing, one of the many things that make you, you. I’ve met food weirdos, travel weirdos, politics weirdos, fitness weirdos, science weirdos, love weirdos, beauty weirdos, gardening weirdos, bike weirdos, car weirdos, podcast weirdos, book weirdos—the list goes on and on. Hike Weirdo acknowledges, embraces and celebrates the weirdo in us all.

I’m a Hike Weirdo. If you’re reading this, you’re probably a Hike Weirdo too!