how it all began

April 18th, 2015

Today was the day.

7:31 a.m.

I rolled over in bed, glanced at my phone, and saw the text that started the dream.

“I had a thought… what if… we really like hiking part of the AT this summer, and then we decide to do the whole thing starting next May/June? 🙂 “

I may have responded excitedly in all caps and spent the next hour reading about the trail. My brain was instantly racing a million miles per hour… thinking about how I’d end my car lease (yup, one of my first thoughts), the freedom, the adventure, an escape from teaching, where I’d get the money, etc.

I want to go so badly.

The Pinterest board has been started.

The sky’s the limit.

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I wrote that in my new bright green journal exactly 10 months ago. Since then a lot has changed in my life. I signed on to teach for my third year (this year 2015-2016), my brother beat cancer, my same brother got married, I quit a job for the first time ever, I picked up a part-time-adventure-funding-job, another brother went off to school for the first time, I decided to not return to my school for next year, and the big one…

I committed to hiking the Appalachian Trail. All 2,181 miles. All 5,000,000 steps.

Some people think I’m crazy. Some think I have a lot of courage. I think it’s a mix of the two… But I also think I’m just ready for something new. Ready to step back and ready to have space to think and process. Ready to challenge myself. Ready to live simply. Ready to face fears and come out stronger.

So, here I go. The countdown is officially set. Less than four months.

I’d love if you’d join me on this crazy adventure by following, sponsoring, and sharing. More details to come soon.

“It’s impossible,” said pride.

“It’s risky,” said experience.

“It’s pointless,” said reason.

“Give it a try,” whispered the heart.

-unknown