After February’s aggressive ice hike, I wanted to take it easy for my March and April hikes. I wanted more of a leisurely stroll, rather than a crampon stomp. And I wanted company on the hikes. Both hike three and four took place in Delaware. Both were leisurely strolls with good company. Both reminded me that support is always nice to have in your corner whether you’re hiking or building a business.
If you’re new here, one of my goals for 2022 is to go on a hike every month. It may seem like a small goal to some, but I hate hiking and this goal pushes me outside of my comfort zone. My hope is that by the end of the year I’ll be hiking Mt. Everest! HA! Kidding! I’ll be happy if by the end of the year, I’m hiking with ease and no complaints along the journey.
And it just so happens, my March and April hikes took place with ease and no complaints. Only 8 more to go!
Pinelands Nature Trail in Cape Henlopen State Park; Courtesy of Courtney Elko
Hike 3: Cape Henlopen State Park – Lewes, Delaware
I ended a fantastic March girl’s weekend in celebration of my friend’s 40th birthday with a nice two-mile hike in Cape Henlopen State Park in Lewes near the beach. Two friends joined me and it was a nice leisurely stroll on the Pinelands Nature Trail while we talked about family and business. The three of us each run different types of businesses — one brick and mortar, one influencer and one coach. But while we may have different businesses we have similar struggles in those businesses.
Related: Hiking Is Not Who I Am
We chatted about our struggles, shared are successes and strolled across sand and pine needles on the trail. As I listened to both of them share their insights, I barely noticed we had walked a mile. We were in deep conservation, supportive conversation — and it made the journey quick and easy.
Having support and camaraderie on a hike and in business is priceless. Support and insightful conversation on a hike makes the time tick by unnoticed. And support and insightful conversation from a business coach or mentor, makes the business building journey feel less lonely.
Hike No. 3 Lesson: When you walk with friends, the journey is easier.
Flowers on the Mason Dixon Trail in White Clay Creek State Park in Newark, DE; Courtesy of Courtney Elko
Hike 4: White Clay Creek State Park – Newark, Delaware
April brought about some changes in my life and business. So April’s hike was about support and letting go.
I attended my first business retreat in April (it was outstanding, you can read more about it here), finished working with my long-time and first-ever client, and said goodbye (really more like see ya later), to the man I had been dating for the last two years.
I rarely talk about him publicly because this is a space about me and my business, not my dating life. But we first met when I had been recently laid off from my full time job in the pandemic. I was carefree, living off unemployment payments and his was also working at a slower pace at his job because of the pandemic. Our relationship grew slowly as he watched me struggle to find new employment. He watched me land a temporary role that I hated. And then he watched me build a business.
Related: Layoffs Lead to Impact and Income
He is a man of very few words, but he silently supported me as I dove head first into creating a business from scratch. He listened to me whine and complain that I didn’t know what my business was exactly. He didn’t tell me no when I invested money that I didn’t have so I could get the help I needed to figure it all out. He watched as my business idea, turned into a real business. He celebrated with me when I got my first clients. He asked how those clients were doing. He laughed with me over some of my crazy content ideas and attempted (with only slight success) to be an “Instagram Boyfriend” taking photos and video of me.
He supported me in my life and business with his actions, and I’m beyond grateful to have had his silent support by my side during the two years I completely changed everything.
White Clay Creek State Park; Courtesy of Courtney Elko
He is a good guy. But unfortunately he is a good guy who does not want to be married again. And I want marriage. I knew where he stood on the matter and while I had hoped maybe he would change his mind (because I’d be such an outstanding wifey duh), I also respected the respect he has for me by being honest and straightforward with what he doesn’t want. Neither one of us is “wrong” in our wants, and neither one of us needs to change our beliefs for the other.
So because of this, I knew for a long while that our relationship would have an expiration date, and when he received a job offer two hours away from me, I knew the finale had arrived.
He has a calming vibe about him. I’m loud and emotional and he is quiet and emotionless. He strolls through life, hikes and his career with an unwavering sense of calm, while I sob on the side of icy mountains in a panic over where to step next.
So naturally, I asked him to join me on April’s hike before he moved away. He lived in Delaware (about 40 minutes from me) and I went to college in Delaware so it made sense Hike 4 should take place in Delaware.
Related: Ice Hike: Girl, Stop Apologizing
Mason Dixon Trail in White Clay Creek State Park in Newark, DE; Courtesy of Courtney Elko
I found a two-mile trail not far from his home in White Clay Creek State Park and it happened to be the Mason Dixon Line Trail. The Mason Dixon Line (historically known as the line dividing the North from the South) was fitting since Delaware and Pennsylvania (where I live and the state he was moving to) are two of the four states that border the line.
It took us a minute to find the trailhead. We ended up driving down a narrow paved trail thinking we were headed to a parking lot when in reality, we were on a narrowed paved hiking trail and couldn’t turn the car around to abort mission. He calmly reversed his car about a mile or more back down the paved trail, while I quietly panicked the park police were going to ticket us.
Related: When Clients Become Friends
We eventually found the correct parking lot and began our journey. It was an easy trail that switched between dirt, gravel, sand and back to dirt. Spring was blooming with tiny yellow and purple flowers. We walked alongside the inviting waters of White Clay Creek where fly fishermen were enjoying the day. Birds were chirping, the sun was shining. It was a great day for a hike.
I wanted a calm and scenic hike in April and this trail was it. I wanted to enjoy his silent support – this time on a hike. I also liked the irony and symbolism when we crossed the state line from Delaware into Pennsylvania (and then back again) while on the trail.
We chatted about random things. We took a few wrong turns but the map on my AllTrails App always got us back on track. I had him attempt yet again to take some photos and video of me and I think it’s safe to say, he will never be a photographer. But we enjoyed each other’s company.
We enjoyed each other’s company for two years and two miles. And I will have gratitude for his silent support of me and my business, always.
Hike No. 4 Lesson: Support through action is more effective than words.
