08/13/2026
Two days ago, on my 29th hike of the season, I was heading up the Wood Key trail toward a 6.5 km milestone when something flew into a tree just ahead of me. I looked up and there was a Barred Owl, maybe 15–20 feet away, staring right down at me.
“Hey, little fella.”
For about three minutes we just watched each other. It didn’t seem scared or threatened at all. There was something strangely calm and gentle about it. Eventually I pulled out my phone, snapped a couple pictures, put it away and looked back up. Still watching me.
Finally I said, “Alright, nice meeting you. Goodbye,” and continued up the trail. I looked back as I walked away and it was still watching me go. 😂 It felt like my little Bilbo Baggins moment… heading farther up the mountain while this strange creature of the woods watched me disappear down the trail.
I’ve always been interested in folklore, and because owls have historically been associated with death and omens, I’d built up a darker idea of them. But standing there with one, I felt the complete opposite. Something in my gut said, this is a good thing. Pay attention.
Maybe for me, that symbolism represents the death of an old version of myself. At the end of this month it’ll be two years since I’ve had a drink. I’m hiking every day, lifting again, getting my home and life organized, looking toward new work and generally taking better care of myself. A lot is changing. Maybe I’ve crossed a threshold without really noticing it.
Was this actually some ancient mystical messenger sent to mark the next chapter of my life? Probably not. 😂 It was probably thinking, “Why is this sweaty bastard talking to me?”
But I know what those three quiet minutes meant to me.
Some things are meant to be left behind. Say goodbye, keep walking, and don’t be afraid of what’s waiting farther up the mountain. 🦉⛰️
