My name is Elsye, people call me chardonnay. chardonnay is a name I picked up back when I was a road biking fool in Iowa, good times. It’s also my burner name so it might as well be my trail name. Trail name? Yes, in 2018 I completed the Triple Crown of Hiking (the Pacific Crest Trail, Appalachian Trail and Continental Divide Trail) making history! First African American to complete the Triple Crown.
Basically I’m a Midwest girl living on the west coast. Grew up in Flint, Michigan; went to college and lived in Iowa for long time, and a couple of years in the Colorado Mountains. The last 10 years I’ve been living the dream from my California home base (north and south).
Recently I put down roots living off grid in Joshua Tree, I love the desert.
I’m a simple girl; I like things uncomplicated and drama free.
I love to try things, ALL The Things, risky, weird, different things. Things I shouldn’t try but do. Sometimes it’s fun, sometimes not. Sometimes it works, sometimes not so much.
As the saying goes I owe it to myself at least to try.
I an introvert that likes meeting people, hearing their stories.
I love wine, not just Chardonnay, throw in cheese/crackers and I’m good. (Its a real treat on the trail!)
I love hanging out with friends and laughing with family.
I like music and love Pearl Jam.
I’ve spent 50 years cultivating my crazy; I admit that, its part of what makes me awesomely interesting.
I’ve been described as a social butterfly yet quiet, really I just like to listen (it’s a lost art). You’d be amazed what you hear when you stop talking.
My passion, well, it changes regularly. I enjoy biking, hiking, fishing, boating, skiing, camping, dancing, reading, traveling, cooking, old movies and a host of other things it just depends on my mood.
There are some things I don’t like, but I try not to think about them or avoid them like the plague. (I don’t like being labeled, put in a box or being told what to do.) So that’s a little about me, I can’t tell you everything it would kill the mystery. Follow me on this journey of self discovery that could become an embarrassing disaster of epic proportions or not.
PCT Thru Hike – Going into Oregon!
wandering chardonnay 