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@jennybruso on Instagram

My life feels like a fun house right now. I’M IN THE @NYTIMES!!! Link in profile, stories and highlights. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Shoutouts to the incredible people, groups and communities I get to call my peers. Your work is invaluable: @brownpeoplecamping @browngirlsclimb @disabledhikers @curvykilicrew @pattiegonia @outdoorafro and @latinooutdoors. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Thank you to @Merrell and @REI who have been the biggest reasons I get to do the things I do with Unlikely Hikers. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ This article makes me sound way more responsible for REI’s success with their plus-size line than I am. It was already in the works before I came along, but having a part in getting it to people has been a privilege. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Photo by, @peterhansonphoto ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Discovery Park, Seattle, Washington. This is Duwamish, Salish, Skykomish, Snuqualmie+ land #discoverypark ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #fatandoutdoorsy #mybodytookmehere #unlikelyhikers #itakethelongway

The outpouring of support for the blog I posted yesterday has been overwhelmingly validating. I feel so held by everyone who has shared their own experiences and those who’ve backed me up in saying speaking up was the right thing to do, or something they wish they could do. I want to be clear that not saying anything is a 100% respectable choice. Survival looks like a lot of things. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I feel petty as hell addressing some of the negative comments, but I’m going to anyway because sometimes I’m petty: I was never arguing with the flight attendants. I wasn’t even asking why I couldn’t keep it up. I was asking if I could do something to make myself more comfortable and was told I could be escorted off of the plane in response. This was inflammatory, abusive and bogus and I stood up for myself, but it wasn’t because they said no about keeping the armrest up. I did nothing to hold up the plane, that was a decision they made because they kept saying harmful shit *to me.* Sitting there and taking it was not an option for me. I think flight attendants are bad ass and damn good at their jobs. I believe this was an isolated incident by some wackass individuals, but it’s based on a larger and extremely harmful cultural narrative that I will never shut the fuck up about 💋💅🏽💃🏻 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Link in bio ▶️ jennybruso.com ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Saddle Mountain, Elsie, Oregon. This is Chinook, Clatskanie+ land. #saddlemountain ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #flyingwhilefat #fatandoutdoorsy #mybodytookmehere #unlikelyhikers #itakethelongway #saddlemountainstatenaturalarea #delta

BLOG POST: I Was Escorted off of an Airplane for Advocating for Myself ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Link in profile, stories and highlights ▶️ jennybruso.com ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Like, yesterday. Really. It was violating, embarrassing, painful and sent me down a rabbit hole of shame and self-doubt, but I’M BACK! AND I RANDOMLY MET SAMANTHA IRBY / @bitchesgottaeat! Give it a read, but please take care of yourself if you have anxieties about flying while fat. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ “The seat was small. I mean, they’re always small, but this was the smallest seat I’ve ever had. My seatbelt wouldn’t close, either, which has only happened to me one other time. I didn’t feel ashamed, which is a feat unto itself. It’s not okay that seats and seatbelts should vary this much and it’s wrong that plus-size passengers aren’t considered. Our money spends the same way and we are entitled to the same services. Asking for the minimum, is not asking for extra, as many seem to think. Body diversity is a real thing.” ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Dog Mountain, Washington. This is Chinook, Cowlitz+ land. #dogmountain ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #flyingwhilefat #fatandoutdoorsy #mybodytookmehere #unlikelyhikers #delta

But there was loveliness, too.⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Lake Michigan, Rosy Mound Natural Area, Grand Haven, Michigan. This is Peoria, Odawa+ land. #rosymound #really ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #fatandoutdoorsy #mybodytookmehere #unlikelyhikers #itakethelongway #rosymoundnaturalarea #lakemichigan

@UnlikelyHikers on Instagram

LET’S HIKE! See our Story Highlights for invites! After Mt. Rainier, we’ll be taking a break until September (or so I’m saying…), but then you’ll find us in Boston, New York, Seattle, North Carolina, San Diego, Colorado and Portland. There are a couple more locations still being discussed <3 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Current Dates: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ June 1: MINNEAPOLIS, MN June 8: PORTLAND, OR – LOWER INTENSITY June 22: SEATTLE, WA June 29: PORTLAND, OR – ACCESSIBLE July 27: MT. RAINIER, WA ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Portland, OR hikes have different levels of intensity and accessibility to suit your unique needs. All national hikes are Lower Intensity. Read more about them on the blog: jennybruso.com ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ <>Higher Intensity: more than 5 miles, more than 500 feet elevation gain. <>Lower Intensity: under 5 miles, under 500 feet elevation gain. Does not mean “easy.” <>Accessible: around 2 miles, with little to no elevation gains, suitable for mobility devices. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Tag #unlikelyhikers to be featured! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ [image description: trail cuts through blooming spring flowers on a steep mountainside fading into fog. Text overlay features the group hiking schedule detailed above.]

“I'm 34, queer, non-binary, in ED (eating disorder) recovery, and have experienced most of my life as a girl up until the last few years. When I was young I was taught that only (white) men should experience the outdoors in such a way that creates a connection to the land (hunting, cultivating, conserving). It wasn't until 3 years ago I mustered up the courage to go out to the woods by myself as who I am. My first trip, I filled my pack and headed to the Appalachian Trail. I experienced a certain type of therapy in the Smokies that my heart had never encountered. I laughed, I cried, I smiled, I cringed, I was hysterical...I processed the parts of my life I thought I had buried for good. The act of hiking conjures up old wounds to the surface, and carves out a space for my mind and body to heal.” -Beau | @beauback_mountain ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Pronouns: they/them/she/her ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Location: O’Neil Pass, Olympic National Park, Washington. This is Klallan, Twana/Skokomish+ land. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Tag #unlikelyhikers to be featured! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ [Image description: classic selfie of someone in backpacking gear, hat and septum ring. They have a pleased expression. Alpine evergreens on a grassy meadow, mountains with sparse snow in swirling clouds in background.]

“I used to hide behind my work and it became an obsession. I hadn’t realized it was because of a deep desire to be valued and appreciated for who I truly am until I had a mental breakdown and couldn't deny it anymore. I was in pain. After a few sessions with a counselor, she helped me understand the reason I was seeking external validation was because of unhealed wounds from childhood sexual and physical abuse. She recommended I get an emotional support animal, and spend more time outdoors with my husband, connecting with my thoughts and nature. I spent more time listening to my pain, hearing my hurt, and making healthier decisions about the people I let into my life and how I spent my energy. I started valuing myself, even though those changes felt scary at first. Exploring nature still kind of scares me (hello, cougars!) but this fear is one I can conquer with every step forward, similarly to reaching out for help. Now, I am helping others connect with themselves and nature through my career and self-love coaching business. I hope to share my experiences with more people because I truly believe in the healing power of nature and mindfulness, and the impact it has on the way we love ourselves and our relationships with work.” -Jenesis | @jenesis_rose ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Pronouns: she/her ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Location: Pine Hollow, Wamic, Oregon. This is Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Tenino+ land. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Tag #unlikelyhikers to be featured! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ [Image description: person squats on a wooden footbridge, with her hands affectionately resting on her dog. Footbridge is over a small creek. Ground is soft with pine duff. Evergreens and trail in background.]

GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Anyone out there? I, @jennybruso, your Unlikely Hikers wizard, will be DJing at the @REI grand opening on Friday, May 17, from 3pm-6pm! The first 250 people through the door will get sweet prizes from REI. You can also catch me with the @Merrell team on Saturday. I’ll have stickers! Bring your people xoxo ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I linked the event in our “stories” and “group hikes” highlight. Hopefully, I’ll be leading an actual hike there soon xo ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Tag #unlikelyhikers to be featured! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ [image description: trail cuts through green spring plants with occasional bursts of purple flowers. A few trees flank each side. Text overlay reads “Grand Rapids, MI”]

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Trails

2/10/18 – this page is under construction while I regroup. I hope to re-open it April 1, 2018.

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2 thoughts on “Trails”

Pingback: Dearest Nature Babes… | I Take the Long Way
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