Notes from the Mountain - Issue No. 7

There’s no place like home.

I grew up in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, back before smart phones, social media, and constant notifications pulling everyone in different directions. Most of our free time was spent outside: playing in the woods, riding bikes through the neighborhood and playing kick the can in the street until it got too dark to see. Summers were spent visiting state parks, hiking trails, and recreation areas scattered throughout the mountains.

Looking back, I think that’s where all of this really started. The outdoors never felt separate from everyday life. It was just part of who we were.

I recently went back home to visit family and was reminded all over again how beautiful that area is. But more than that, I was reminded how important it is to reconnect with the people, places, and memories that helped shape who you become later in life. There’s something grounding about sitting around laughing until you can’t laugh anymore, retelling stories you’ve all heard a hundred times before. The older I get, the more I realize how much value there is in not losing those connections.

And if I’m being honest, a lot of the creativity behind Mountain Goat Soap Co. probably started there too...especially from my Mom. Even now, into her 80s, she still spends hours outside making her yard beautiful, but never ordinary. She’s an award-winning outdoor photographer, and later in life decided to learn painting and drawing simply because she wanted to. That willingness to keep creating, keep learning, and keep seeing beauty in ordinary places has influenced me more than I probably realized growing up.

With Mother’s Day this Sunday, it felt like the right time to slow down and appreciate that a little more. So in honor of my mom, all Spring Seasonal Bars are 20% off through Sunday using code MOMSDAY at checkout.

If you’ve been wanting to pick up a few favorites for yourself or for someone else...this is a good time to do it.

Explore the Spring Collection HERE

And as good as it was to go back…coming home to this face wasn’t too bad either.

This weekend, spend time with the people who feel like home.

Some places shape you long before you realize it.

And somehow, they stay with you no matter how far away you go.

From the Trail:

A short reflection inspired by the outdoors.

“The places we love tend to follow us home.”

More soon,

Dianne

Bring the outside in.