Hi, I'm Julie!

—-A day hiker, dog-trail sidekick to Molly, and the person who’s absolutely done the “this seemed like a short hike” math… incorrectly. And if you’ve ever said, “We’ll be back before dark,” and then looked at the sky like… hmm, welcome. You’re my people.

After logging a lot of miles (and collecting a few scraped knees), I started noticing a pattern: most trail trouble isn’t dramatic—it’s small stuff that stacks up. A wrong turn. A surprise storm. A dog that won’t drink water. A “we’ll be fine” plan with no backup.

For 26 years I taught as a Civilian Army Instructor (yes, I also earned a Harvard teaching certificate), helping people stay calm, make smart decisions, and follow through when plans change. Now I bring that same mindset to the trail.

Trailbuds & Co. is here for real day hikers and trail dogs: practical safety education + gear designed to help you stay calm, capable, and confident—so your hike stays an adventure, not a worry session.