Lost

MOM read this first! I DIDN'T DIE AND NOTHING BAD HAPPENED.

Now that the story has been spoiled by that disclaimer for my mom, here comes the reality: for the first time ever I got lost in the woods. Not "I'm on the wrong trail" lost, or "I wonder whether I missed my turn" lost, this was full-fledged wandering aimlessly in the wilderness lost.

The other day I decided to go for a trail run in the Uinta Wilderness. As the name implies, the area I opted to explore is very remote with very few visitors, no cell service, and as I ended up learning very quickly: poor trail maintenance. Before heading out there, I bought a map, did my research, plotted out an 18 mile loop and even saved turn by turn directions on my fully charged phone. I was prepared, nothing could go wrong.

And then the cows happened. Apparently in Utah cattle graze freely on public land. As they meander through the wilderness they trample winding paths that crisscross the official trails of the forest. As I mentioned before, the trails were very poorly maintained so in many circumstances the cow paths appeared more trail-like and less overgrown than the official trail.

So I'm running along, feeling great, rather confident that I've been following the trail, when all of a sudden the "trail" just ends at a clump of trees. First thought: no big deal, I'll just backtrack and find the turn I missed. I walk back a few feet and realize that there are cow paths everywhere and there are no distinguishable landmarks, just trees and shrubs everywhere. I've been running along lost in my thoughts and haven't been paying attention to my surroundings.

Still I don't panic. I know I started the day with a fully charged phone and I'm only about 4 miles into my run. I started my Runkeeper App that morning so I should be able to pull up my track. But I'm in the Wilderness. My Runkeeper App is tracking my run but I have no service so it won't load a map to show me where I've been. All I see is a blue dot on a gray screen instead of a map. GPS is tracking me, but without the backdrop of a map, that does nothing for me. I can't see where I've been or where I'm going.

Looking at a real map does me no good either, because my map skills are pathetic and I have no landmarks to guide me. I walk in a few circles trying to find the trail. I walk up a hill, then down a hill, I follow something that looks like a trail, and then try to make it back to the point where I first realized I was lost and can't find it. Nothing looks familiar. Panic starts to take root.

I've never truly been lost or concerned about survival in any way so it was an odd experience to see where my mind led me. Once I realized that I truly was lost, legitimately nowhere near a trail and no idea how to get back to it lost, I took a mental inventory of my situation: I had 2 liters of water, a cliff bar, pretzels and dried fruit. It was still early in the day and I had only run about 4 miles so I had plenty of time to find my way back. Since I was out for a run and not backpacking, I didn't have any additional gear.

I start to think of plausible solutions to my dilemma and come up with three options.
1. I've always heard that if you are lost the best course of action is to stay put and wait for help. Not my style. No one even knew I was out here, I had no means of communicating my location, and I hadn't seen anyone else in the woods all day. Sitting put and waiting for rescue was a dumb choice. I'm not the type of person that likes getting saved. I got myself into this mess, so I was going to get myself out of it.
2. I could see a road off in the distance. Like over two mountains and through 2 valleys. I considered trying to bushwhack straight toward the road. I figured I had all day to get back to my car, so why not try to get to the road? Because I'm in the freaking wilderness, that's why.  Although I could see the road, the thought that I could make it there without trail to follow was delusional. Traversing two peaks and two valleys without any trail to follow was just asking for more trouble.
3. I have a decent enough sense of direction and knew the route I had originally planned. At my current location, I had to be southwest of where I parked my car. I'd only run about 4 miles so if I moved northeast, I had to eventually find either the trail or my car.

So after several minutes of standing dumbfounded, shocked that I had actually gotten myself into this mess, staring across a vast expanse of endless peaks and valleys, I decided to commit to option 3 and try to get back to where I started.

As I began wandering in a northeasterly direction, I obviously had time to just think, and I was surprised by where my mind went. Here was my stream of thoughts:

•My run is ruined. #priorities

•I now understand how the lady who walked off the AT to pee got lost and died.

•I wish I had my tent like she did.

•This is going to kill my mom, I need to find my way back so she doesn't have a heart attack. (This was a prevalent and reoccurring thought during the entire experience)

•I wonder how long it will take to starve and die.

•The headlines about my death are going to make me look like an idiot "Single female runner gets lost in the woods and dies just miles from the trailhead." I can't let everyone who told me that going to the woods alone is a bad idea be right. More incentive to get myself out of this mess.

•Maybe now that I'm truly in the wilderness I'll see a mountain lion. I've always wanted to see a mountain lion.

The strange thing about being lost was that the thought of dying out there didn't really bother me. Sorry to get dark and morbid, but the only part about dying that really bothered me was how much it would upset my mom. Contemplating your own death is a strange phenomenon.

But let's not focus on the dark and dreary. I didn't die. I continued to wander up and down hills, past trees and rocks that at same time looked familiar and completely foreign. Miraculously I eventually saw a group of hunters in bright blaze orange up on a crest. I don't think they even noticed me, but their existence saved me. I was in a valley just below them, and I knew they had to be on a trail. So I continued trekking through the undergrowth of the forest until I reached that crest, and amazingly there was the trail. The true trail, not the cow path i had accidentally followed earlier.

The whole experience lasted less than an hour and just over a mile of wandering, but it felt like a lifetime. Is it strange that I kind of enjoyed it? Being lost was a little exhilarating. Even though I probably should have been more concerned about my predicament, it was honestly just thrilling. Knowing that there was a real chance something bad could happen gave me a rush. Maybe I would have been more concerned if it had lasted longer, but instead I treated it as just another adventure.

Runkeeper Tracking Map- Right before mile 3 is where I took a wrong turn, then at mile 4 is where I realized I was lost. After mile 5 is where I got back up on the crest where the true trail was and I followed it back to where I originally was. I wasn't able to see this map until I returned to an area with phone service. 

Back at it

After a brief hiatus from mountain time, I'm back where I belong. Life since Colorado has been a whirlwind of new adventures, and as always I'm just in awe that my life is so freaking fantastic. From actually making friends and returning for a weekend on the AT, to placing 3rd in a trail half marathon, I just keep being blown away by how awesome life can be. 

Currently I'm in Utah for two weeks. After my outstanding finish at the trail half marathon, I've decided I want to become the best trail runner I can possibly be. So I drove out to Utah and am spending my time running up and down mountains. The views are unreal, the weather is perfect and I can feel myself growing stronger even after just 2 days of running out here. 

Every summit I reach reminds me of just how much is possible if you work hard enough. Not to get too sappy, but life is what you make it. Ever since the AT I've made a conscious choice to be happy. I'm unwilling to let anyone or anything get in the way of my happiness. It's turned into a bit of an obsession, but I'm determined to live the best life possible. So far I'm happy to report that I have been very successful. 

Every day in the mountains reminds me of just how beautiful this world is. Recently I've even started to appreciate other people as well. I know this will come as a shocker to anyone who actually knows me, but life is better with people. Despite obviously still being stubbornly independent, I've come to realize that there are people worth spending time with. I love being able to run away to the woods, and finding someone who understands that is pretty remarkable. 

As always, being in the mountains provides time for self reflection which often leads to rethinking my entire life. Hiking the AT was life-changing and provided the perspective I needed to reframe my outlook on life. However even short stints in the woods create a contemplative atmosphere conducive to retrospective thought. Looking back on everything I've done since completing the AT, I wouldn't change a thing. This past year has been the most productive, challenging, and rewarding of my entire life. Going forward, I plan on continuing to push myself toward perfection.

Goodbye Colorado

Despite my eagerness to continue hiking the Colorado Trail, Roxy's health has brought an end to our hiking days. My heart pines for the mountains, but Roxy is in such bad shape that I can't justify staying in Colorado. So with a heavy heart we have begun the long drive back to Indiana.

Leaving the life I love always drags me down, so as the mountains fade in my rear view mirror, I'm focusing on new goals. Without a sense of purpose, I struggle to feel much fulfillment. Just living is not enough for me; I need to be constantly surpassing my own expectations. If I don't learn something new or push myself physically, I fall into a dark spiral of depression.

In the mountains every day is a literal uphill climb that leads to discovery and a profound sense of achievement. Indiana doesn't exactly offer up this sort of daily challenge. It is way too easy to just exist without doing anything meaningful with your life.

Luckily I now get to come home to a job that encourages innovation and growth. Knowing that pushing myself and striving for excellence is actually acknowledged and rewarded, makes me seek out opportunities for professional development. I love working hard, physically, academically, and professionally, but I also need to see results from my efforts. Instead of climbing literal peaks, I'll be seeking out metaphorical mountains to overcome. Although I only worked at my current position for a few months before leaving for Colorado, I immediately recognized the culture of excellence nurtured by my supervisors and coworkers. I am so incredibly thankful to be working with such an outstanding team of like-minded individuals. No one is satisfied with just doing the bare minimum. Instead everyone genuinely cares about their personal impact and is continually pushing for improvement. This sort of challenging atmosphere is exactly the type of environment in which I thrive.

In addition to a stimulating and rewarding career, I've also committed to a physical goal: running the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon. I've run two marathons before. Having another one to work toward is a great way to keep me moving and motivated. It's hard to sit around and dwell on the fact that I'm in Indiana, when I know I have to be working to better myself.

This hike has given me a new perspective about myself. When I was hiking the Appalachian Trail, I always thought of it as just walking, Something that anybody could do. I didn't consider what I was doing special or profoundly difficult in any way. However hiking in Colorado with a friend has shown me that through hiking is not for everyone. For me hiking is the easy part of life. I have a new challenge everyday and I can work hard to achieve it. Every day gives me a sense of accomplishment and something to be happy about. I enjoy feeling the physical strain of knowing I have worked toward a goal. I love the solitude and isolation that allows me to focus on personal goals and achievements. There is nothing I would rather be doing than working hard everyday and being able to feel successful when I lay down in my tent. The harder the terrain and weather is the more  enjoyment I get out of completing the day's hike . Apparently not everyone gets the same satisfaction from just walking in the woods, but for me there is no better way to live. 

Updates from the trail

Since my last post the trail has been a whirlwind of new adventure. With Roxy's stamina and physica. fitness wavering, we've had to take things one day at a time. Some days she is full of energy and ready to tackle all sorts of challenges, buy other days she is barely walking and struggling to even get out of the tent in the morning. Today we are resting in Lake City, Colorado, because after a 4 day and 60 mile stretch of trail, Roxy is very stiff and tired.

While we rest and recuperate, it is exciting to look back at all of our recent pictures and admire the epic views we've seen. I'll be uploading an album to Facebook soon. Here are just some of the exciting events we encountered during our journey:

● Moose! Although they are common in Maine, I never saw any moose during my Appalachian Trail hike. It was amazing to come across a ridge and see several moose grazing at a pond in the valley. 

● Freezing temperatures. It's summer, right? We were very surprised to wake up one morning to frosted plants and a frozen bowl of water. Apparently winter doesn't give up easily in the mountains. We have had many snow banks we've had to cross and very dramatic and sudden changes in temperature. 

● Killer instincts. Any time we are above treeline and I can see for miles, I let Roxy run around of leash. She has been struggling with the fact that there are absolutely no toys to play with and entertains herself by chasing mountain mammals. Amazingly she managed to catch and kill a mouse during one of her escapades. 

● Tough terrain and epic views. During this latest stretch of the Colorado Trail we spent the majority of our time above treeline. This meant traversing rocky outcrops, steep ascents, and long stretches of trail without shade or water. Although strenuous and physically daunting, the trail rewarded us with some of the most scenic and stunning views we have ever encountered. 

It is hard to belive we only have one more week left out here. Too little time to sit around playing with a phone while there is still so much left to explore. It is unlikely I'll update again during this trip, but when I'm back in the land of flat, I'll be sure to reminisce about this epic journey. 

The mountain meadows are bursting with colorful wwildflowers. 

High point of the Colorado Trail! Suprisingly much less scenic than I expected.

Just admiring the views with my bestie.

This was the trail. Roxy found it hard to believe we were going to hike straight up a pile of rocks.

Slowing Down

Despite no longer doing an official thru hike of the Colorado Trail, Roxy and I have adapted to a new lifestyle. We are still climbing mountains and exploring the outdoors, just at a slower pace. Roxy is eager as ever and seems to have recovered from whatever was ailing her paw. Although she is seemingly back to normal, I am reluctant to push her too hard. The last thing I want is for her to sustain a serious injury, so we are enjoying life in calmer ways.

Since we aren't hiking from sunrise to sunset, I now have time and energy to focus on all the beautiful details of nature that I previously had to rush past. In the mornings we lie around and admire the sunrise from the comfort of my tent. Every evening we build campfires and often cook smores with friends we meet along the trail. Hiking breaks are commonplace and hour-long lunches are standard. I can afford to sit and watch birds in hopes of snapping a good photo. Nothing hurts and I never feel like I'm actually working hard. Although my conscience is always creeping in and telling me I'm being lazy, I know my lack of physical effort is for Roxy's well being.

Although I'm trying my best to keep Roxy happy, I know Colorado is not her favorite place to be. Afternoon thunderstorms are standard and hail falls from the sky at least once a week. We hide in our tent every time the weather turns nasty, but I know Roxy would rather be back on the Appalachian Trail where the weather was more predictable. For me Colorado is a dream, but realistically I know Roxy and I will not be doing anymore trips out here.

As Roxy transitions into retirement we will continue to focus on enjoying life and making the most of every moment. This past week we have only hiked about 30 miles, but we have met dozens of awesome people, eaten glorious meals made over campfires, and spent tons of time admiring the beauty of the mountains.

Several other hikers have asked why I don't just send Roxy home. For me this is a matter of loyalty. If you make a commitment to another living thing, you don't abandon it once it is no longer convenient. I can't stand people who give up pets when they get bored of them or when they get too old. Roxy has given me the best years of her life and stuck with me through years of chaos and uncertainty. She has been an unwavering and supportive companion who has helped me maintain my sanity while continually pushing me to better myself.

Now that her age is catching up to her, i owe Roxy for helping me obtain happiness and peace. We have about two more weeks left in Colorado and we will continue to take it easy and make the most of the rest of the summer. Life is changing,  but I couldn't imagine spending it with anyone other than Roxy.

Change in Plans

The Colorado Trail thru hike is no more, but the adventure is not over. Yesterday Roxy woke up hobbling on 3 legs. For Roxy this is a huge deal because even after she had surgery on her paw and had several stitches, she was still running around on all 4 legs. The fact that she was refusing to put any weight on the leg was a clear sign that something was hurting.

We took the entire day off, spending the morning sleeping in and the afternoon bumming around Frisco. Roxy was not herself at all. She didn't want to get out of the tent much, was exhausted after trying to play for just a few minutes, and didn't even get up to bark at any dogs in Frisco. She was melancholy and resigned all day.

In the evening we hiked a mile from a trailhead to camp for the night, and Roxy perked up a little but still wasn't putting weight on her back right leg. This morning she woke up rejuvenated and in much better spirits. She is putting weight on her leg again but is walking a little stiffly.

Despite the slight improvement in her gait, I've come to terms with the reality that Roxy is no longer a young pup. She is seven years old and despite her enthusiasm she just can't do as much as she used to. Roxy always pushes herself to the limit and would follow me to the end of the world and back. Despite her eagerness to keep going, I believe it is in her best interest to limit her physical activity. She will always be my baby but we are going to have to adjust our adventure plans to better suit her aging body. 20 mile hiking days are no longer realistic but that doesn't mean we are going to stop exploring.

For the remainder of the summer we will be glamping around Colorado. That means we will never be more than 10 miles away from the Yaris, which is packed full of first aid supplies, food, water, clothing and extra gear. It isn't exactly hardcore or super adventerous, but Roxy will always be my number one priority and I want to make sure she stays healthy and happy.

Although I am bummed that my summer isn't going quite as planned, I'm determined to make the most of every moment I have out here. We won't be scaling jagged mountainsides, or braving epic hailstorms anymore, but we can relax and enjoy scenery like ordinary people do. It is requiring a major adjustment to my personal mindset and lifestyle. I'm not the type of person that enjoys slowing down or doing things the easy way, but I'll have to find fulfillment in conquering lessor challenges. Leaving Roxy behind is not an option, no matter what life throws at us, we're in this together.

Epic start

One week in and we've experienced more extreme weather than I ever saw on the Appalachian Trail. Colorado is like a whole new world that I never knew existed.  Here is a quick recap of what has happened so far:

Day -1: Roxy and I took an alternate start trail to avoid a "no dog" zone. It was a great plan until we accidentally followed a fellow hiker + dog down the wrong path. Luckily it was a loop trail so instead of doing the 4 mile intended track, we did the 8 mile detour. Getting lost on day one was definitely an exciting way to start.

Day 1: this was our official start on the Colorado Trail, we met up with Susy and hiked about 16 miles to the South Platte River. Camping was limited so we shared a site with 5 other people. We already received trail magic from Bob the mountain biker. He gave us a big bag of fresh juicy cherries right when we were dying of thirst. A perfect suprise to keep spirits up! Colorado weather is crazy and we were hiking in 90° heat for most of the day.

Day 2: Did I mention the weather here is crazy? Today's surprise was golfball-sized hail pelting down on our tents at 5pm. Luckily we were safe and covered so it was an exciting day.

Day 3: slow and uneventful. The heat is oppressive and I end up carrying Roxy's pack for her.

Day 4: our meteorological skills failed us today and we ended up getting caught in a hail storm on top of a mountain with very little shelter. Poor Roxy tried to hide under a fallen log while Susy and I huddled beneath a skimpy pine tree. We eventually gave up on waiting out to the storm and sprinted several miles over thr ridge in the storm. Good news: no one died and everything else will seem easy now.

Day 5: we had a short 10 mile hike back to our car. Although short, the hike provided us with scenic panoramas of the Colorado mountains. After reaching the car we drove to a biker bar in the mountains and enjoyed massive burgers on their outdoor patio. Then we drove to Dexter's Point and camped beside a mountain Lake.

Day 6: today! We are taking a zero day (no hiking) in Breckenridge. Our hostel is amazing and we got in early enough to run all of our errands. Zero days are usually more work than hiking days because we have to catch up on real life. I've spent the morning paying bills, applying to a graduate program at Marian university, scheduling an interview, answering emails, doing laundry and assuring my mother I am still alive.

Although it has only been a few days I already feel exponentially refreshed and revived. Based on the crazy weather, new plants and animals, challenging climbs and epic panoramas, I know that Colorado will continue to surprise me every day.

*the blogger app won't let me caption photos or integrate them into the body of a post so check out my facebook page for an album full of photos from the hike so far.

Where's Prince Charming?

After yesterday's blog post someone pointed out to me that my happily ever after was missing something that is usually seen as the culminating component of any story: prince charming. I don't label myself a girl-power feminist, and the lack of a lover in my story can be attributed to stubbornness, independence, and happiness; characteristics that I would recommend for all people not just women. So although this post might seem like an amen to man-hating-feminism and female empowerment, I would like to encourage everyone to see this is a gender neutral state of mind.

When it comes to relationships, I think cheesy pop songs do a great job of simplifying life down to a few generic catch phrases. So I'm going to use a few of my favorites to describe my life. Sorry the videos aren't embedded, I'm blogging from my phone which has limited editing capabilities.

1. Kenny Chesney- Save it for a rainy day
My ex-husband decided to let me know he was leaving me via text message (very mature) when I was on my way to visit my brother in the White Mountains. 10 hours into a 17 hour drive and I had a choice: I could let his decision devastate me or a could keep going forward. The choice was easy. It is hard to be upset about anything when you are sitting on top of a mountain gazing into a world full of potential for adventure. Hiking is a great metaphor for life: no matter what happens your only choice is to just keep moving forward.

2. Demi Lovato- Really don't care.
When I came back from the White Mountains my house was pretty much empty and I had a mountain of legal issues to deal with. Most notably my ex took my Mustang, refused to pay for his own car insurance, crashed my mustang, and then expected me to clean up his mess. Spare me the pity party and listen to Demi. This applies to pretty much every aspect of life. Your life is in your hands. Whatever happens is a consequence of your own choices, so don't expect other people to solve your problems. I have no patience for people who aren't self-reliant.

3. Jennifer Lopez- Ain't your momma
Looking back on my marriage, I realize I got myself into a situation where I was responsible for a man child. I'm not sure why I ever found caring for an adult who had the life skills of a toddler so endearing. I guess it was nice to feel needed, but you know what feels even better: taking care of yourself and prioritizing your own growth. Not to sound like a complete narcissist, but I think focusing on yourself should be a priority. Maybe I'm taking things too far, but after wasting 6 years of my life trying to make someone else happy, my only motivation is to make myself happy, and I'm not willing to compromise my happiness in any way. Which means there is no room for altering my routines, plans, and goals to make room for someone else.

4. Meghan Trainor- No
Too many people are wasting their lives searching for "the one." Just about every single person I know is on tinder, match, or some other ridiculous dating app. I don't feel like there is any void in my life and I'm sure as hell not going to waste any time "searching" for someone. I mostly see other people as interferences. I have no problem making friends if there is a genuine connection or mutual interests. However I have high standards for all people and don't have the patience to spend time with people who don't meet my expectations.

5. Meghan Trainor- Me Too
Ok so now it's time for me to sound super conceited: I love where my life is going, and I know that who I am and all that I have accomplished is a direct result of the choices I have made. Especially when I was thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail, I had people fawning over me and acting like what I was doing was a big deal. I hate hearing people say "I wish I was more like you" or "I wish I could do stuff like that." Stop wishing and make it happen. If your life is lame or you are unhappy it is your own fault. Figure out what you are doing wrong and fix it. I don't think I'm doing anything remarkable, I just do what makes me happy, and I'm unwilling to settle for anything other than perfection. I'm stubbornly determined to make the absolute most of my life. That doesn't leave time for searching for prince charming. 

So that's pretty much it. I promise I'm not a man-hating feminist, just a fiercely independent and strong-willed individual.  My happiness is not contingent on anyone else. We get one life to live and I've wasted enough of mine on other people. Who knows, maybe I will eventually meet someome who will sweep me off my feet, but lucky for me my feet are perfectly capable of climbing up mountains on their own.

happily ever after

Do you ever just look around and think "I have the most amazing life"? That's pretty much the state I've been in since July of last year. An entire year of epic awesomeness. Life is so good it is hard to believe that this is really my life.

My feelings of awe have been reinvigorated by my arrival in Colorado. The town of Boulder is basically paradise on Earth. Everyone is fit, friendly, and environmentally conscious. No matter where you are in the city, all you have to do is look up and you are graced with a view of the mountains that lools like it is straight out of The Sound of Music.

Since my thru-hike of the Colorado Trail isn't officially starting until Sunday, I have a few days to bask in the glory of all that Colorado has to offer. Yesterday I stayed at a small state park in eastern Colorado and I saw a jackrabbit for the first time! Jackrabbits are basically mutated Indiana rabbits. Their ears stand straight up at all times and are longer than the height of their bodies. They have the most bizarre profile I've ever seen. Unfortunately due to Roxy's over-eager personality I wasn't able to get a picture of one, but hopefully I will catch one without her around. I've also seen a plethora of crazy-looking plants that I can't wait to learn more about.

In addition to discovering new plants and animals every day, I also climbed the tallest mountain I've ever been on. The Appalachian Mountains are old, and have been eroding for millions of years so they are relatively small. The mountains in Colorado are much younger and subsequently provide a much more stunning landscape. Rocky outcrops and snow-covered peaks abound, and even the "small" mountain I climbed today was over 11,000 feet above sea level.

An added bonus about Colorado is that the sun is up by 5am and doesn't set until 9pm = maximum time for exploration. And even if the sun does set it stays warm and the sky is filled with more stars than I have ever seen. Words can not describe how amazing it feels to be out here. On top of that, I now have job security and know I can come back every single summer!

Time for a cliché motivational statement: work hard, believe in yourself, and never give up. If you had asked me 3 years ago where I would be today I would never have envisioned anything like what I have achieved. With a little soul-searching I figured out what type of life I wanted to be living and I made it happen. Your life is yours for living; go and make your happily ever after!

Prepping

Getting ready for a thru-hike requires careful planning, organization, research and prepartion. When I prepared for my Appalachian Trail hike, I was a super prepper. I calculated each day's exact mileage and anticipated campsite. I knew exactly how much each piece of equipment weighted and precisely how much food I needed for each day.

This time around, I'm opting for an organized chaos approach to preparing for my Colorado Trail thru-hike. Its just over a month living in the backcountry so compared to what I did last summer it feels like a walk in the park. Today was the first day I actually took inventory of my gear. The pile of stuff I started with was ridiculous, so I quickly tossed all extra clothing and gear. I'm going for minimal clothing and maximum food this time around. Hiking with a partner will make it much easier to carry less, since many necessities can be shared instead of carried individually.

Although I don't have an extensive list of gear organized, here are the key supplies I'll be carrying:

Pack- Gossamer Gear Mariposa

Tent- MSR Hubba Nx

Sleep system- thermarest z lite sol and marmot 20 degree kenosha down sleeping bag

Cook system- MSR pocket rocket + primus litech nonstick pot. REI coffee cup.

Water system- 1 liter nalgene, 1 liter platypus and sawyer squeeze filter

Clothing- 2 of everything, nothing super fancy. Merrell trail running shoes.

And of course most importantly I'll be carrying 5 days of food at a time. Roxy will be carrying her Groundbird Gear pack with 3 pounds of treats, a blanket and a first aid kit. I haven't actually packed my gear yet but I'm guessing I'm at about 35 pounds with food and water.

Official start date has been set for June 19th and I'm hoping to drive out to Colorado on June 14th. Until then I have about 2 more weeks of trying to fit my life in a backpack. Happy hiking!

A New Adventure Begins

As many of you know, last year I thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail with Roxy. Since finishing in October, I spent 4 months working at Pier 1 (and spending more money than I earned) before beginning a career as a middle school science teacher at Raymond Park Middle School in Indianapolis. Life off the trail has been thrilling and exhilarating in unique ways, but as the summer approaches I am ready to return to living the life I like best.

Life off trail has thrown more challenges at me than I ever encountered while on my thru-hike. Mentally, “normal” life pushes me to my limits and forces me to deal with issues I usually wouldn’t encounter in the woods.  Most notably I have had to face life without Roxy since the beginning of May. After a visit to the groomer, a tumor was discovered on Roxy’s back paw. I immediately had her admitted for surgery and the tumor has been removed, so she should be ok for the near future. Unfortunately due to working a full-time job, I couldn’t give her the proper care and attention she would need so she has been at my mom’s recovering.

What most people don’t know, is that Roxy is not just my pet, she is my service dog. I hate advertising it, because I hate answering the question "what's wrong with you?" As normal as I may seem, my mental health is not so great, and Roxy is the constant in my life that keeps me functioning like an ordinary person. Without her that past few weeks have been tough. I’ve thrown myself into my job and spent as much time as possible at school to avoid being alone. I’ve survived, but I can not wait to be reunited with my better half. I was lucky enough to have a friend and her dogs stay with me for a few days, and that helped me reset and get life relatively back on track. Today was the first day I finally cleaned my apartment, did dishes and laundry, went grocery shopping and cooked a meal. I know that shouldn’t seem like a major accomplishment but without Roxy basic life functions pretty much stopped. I have 3 more days of work in Indy, and then I will thankfully be back with Roxy. Unfortunately living at my mom’s without any job or purpose, Roxy is slightly losing her mind as well, so I am hopeful that once we are together again she will remember how life is supposed to be and fall back into old routines.

Queen of everything. Life without Roxy's epic strength and guidance is tough.

The prospect of returning to the simple life has me reinvigorated and motivated to keep moving forward. My best friend was recently inspired to reinvent herself and pursue the life she has always dreamed of (sound familiar?). I am thrilled that she asked me to be part of her journey and together we will be thru-hiking the Colorado Trail this summer. She covered the details of what a thru-hike is and what we will be encountering pretty well on her blog so I won’t re-hash all that here. Since she is going to do an outstanding job of recounting trail life on her blog, I’ll probably use this blog to focus more on personal challenges and accomplishments. Feelings are gross, self-pity is pathetic, and talking about mental health is frustrating, but at the same time I think it is important to be genuine and truthful about struggles and motivations for hiking. Life always gets better when your only worry is “where is the next water source?” so I can’t wait to get back on the trail.

I already covered a lot of the basics of trail life, gear, and day to day routines in previous blogs about the Appalachian Trail, but if you have any questions don’t hesitate to send me a message or comment below. I am always happy to share my insights and opinions on backpacking, dog training, and anything else related to life. 

New Adventures Coming Soon!

An off-leash dog park in the city? Yup, Roxy gets to enjoy playtime off-leash.

As I mentioned in my last post, I am now living and working in Indianapolis, and I can confidently say that I am certain this is exactly where I am meant to be. Every day I wake in disbelief and continually find myself wondering "is this real life?!" All my dreams have come true, and I can't think of a single desire that has been unmet. My job is challenging and fulfilling, I have every material thing I could possibly need, and  I have plenty of time to spend exploring and experiencing all that life has to give.

The people of Indy probably think I'm slightly mad, because I wander around the city with a big goofy grin on my face. With Roxy by my side, I walk from one beautiful locality to the next taking in all that the city has to give. The opportunities for personal growth and intellectual stimulation in the city are unreal. When I was living in the south I felt like I was just wasting my life away. There was no feeling of purpose because there was no challenge or opportunity. I would wake up with little motivation to even get out of bed because there was nowhere to go and nothing to do. Here I am constantly exhilarated by the plethora of activity. When I am not working, I literally spend all my time outside with Roxy. We run at least 2 miles every morning, and walk all afternoon until the sun sets. Weekends are spent at state parks or other green spaces. There is always somewhere to go and something to do.

One huge change that I am absolutely thrilled about is the drastic decrease in the amount of time I spend online. Time spent online feels like time wasted. Why would I sit and stare at a screen when there is so much to see and do? I used to spend hours scrolling through garbage online because real life didn't feel like it had much to offer. Now I have better things to do. So sorry people of the Internet, but don't expect to see many pictures or posts, because I'm too busy living :)

In other news, plans are confirmed for Roxy and me to hike the 486 mile Colorado Trail this July with my best friend. I'm also looking for an adventure for June, but haven't settled on anything yet. As with my Appalachian Trail hike, I'll post weekly during my hikes.

Introducing Ms. Fryska

Hiking the Appalachian Trail had a profound impact on my outlook on life. I've learned that happiness comes in many forms, and that the only goal I need to be pursuing is my own happiness. And today I am thrilled to report that I am in a very happy place. 

After several months of searching for a job that would be a good fit, I finally was offered the ideal position. Starting on Friday I will be working as the 7th grade science teacher at a fantastic school in the suburbs of Indianapolis. This will be my first time teaching as Ms. Fryska, and I feel it is an outstanding rebirth for me. I am starting a fresh new life, and following the path I should have always been on. 

Throughout my job search, I knew that I couldn't settle for just any job. One thing that became clear to me along my thru-hike, is that working just to make a paycheck is no way to go through life. So as I prepared to re-enter the workforce, I was determined to find a position that allows me to channel my true passions and interests. 

In addition to finding a position that matched my interests, it was also really important for me to work on a team with like-minded people. After interviewing for several positions where the bosses and staff seemed like mindless drones, I was thrilled to speak with a team where everyone was enthusiastic, dedicated, and progressive about their beliefs concerning education. Being surrounded by people who take their jobs seriously is going to be an awesome experience that will help me grow as an educator and as an individual. I am really excited to join a team where everyone will be as dedicated to their work as I am. 

I am also thrilled about my new living situation. After living in a tiny rural town where I never truly felt at home, I am now living in an upscale urban oasis at the heart of downtown. My new accommodations include a plethora of amenities including a coffee bar, pool, gym, lounge, and dog park. All of my neighbors are clean, quiet, and polite individuals. I don't have to worry about seeing dogs chained up outside, hearing my neighbors scream at their children, or be paranoid about druggies wandering around outside my door (all things I dealt with when I was a home-owner). Obviously Indianapolis is not a perfect city and there will be crime and dreadful people, but in my current living situation I will be sheltered from it. I feel exponentially safer and more secure here than I ever did living in a rural community. 

Another major benefit of living in the city is the walkability. Living in the country, I couldn't do anything without first getting my car and driving somewhere. Here in Indianapolis I have everything I need within walking distance. My car is stowed away in a parking garage, and I can reach everything I need by foot. A brand new Whole Foods is being built across the street, but for the time being I have a Marsh Supermarket 2 blocks away. White River State Park and an abundance of running paths are less than a mile away, coffee shops are on every corner, and the city itself is just fantastic to wander around. 

Although I do not have mountains nearby, my new job allows me to still travel and see the world on a regular basis. Because of a balanced calendar, I will have 2 weeks off after each quarter and a lengthy summer vacation as well. I am not at all worried about missing the mountains, because I will have plenty of time to go adventuring. 

After stumbling along for awhile and not following my own dreams, I know that I am finally on the right path. As Ms. Fryska, I am finally going to live my life, not someone else's. I've been given a fantastic opportunity to lead the life I have always imagined, and I know this path will continue to inspire and excite me. The new me is fulfilling all the dreams I've always wanted to achieve, and I can't wait to see what new adventures the future brings. 

Life Outside a Tent

Although Roxy and I are no longer waking up inside a tent, we are striving to find happiness in every day adventures. Life post-AT hasn't transitioned as smoothly as I anticipated, but I remain hopeful for the future. Despite a valiant and continuous effort to find gainful employment, I remain underemployed as a sales associate at Pier 1 Imports. Although it is slightly depressing to think I have a Master's degree and am working in retail with high school students, I honestly couldn't ask for a better place to work. The pay is enough to survive on for now and the management is outstanding.

The one major complaint I have with working retail is the lack of a consistent schedule. Roxy and I are both creatures of habit. Especially after 4 months of predictability (wake up, hike, sleep), it is difficult to adjust to the chaotic schedule of retail work. Some days I work 4 hours, sometimes 8 and I bounce back forth between working nights vs. days. Without a routine, I feel like the hours that I am not working are unfortunately lost and wasted. I haven't been able to get back into a regular exercise schedule, because after work it is always either too cold, too dark, or I'm too exhausted. The excuses are lame, and for Roxy's sake I really need to get outside more. But mentally I am not in as good of a place as I was while hiking the Appalachian Trail. While on the AT every day had clear goals and purpose, and now life just seems bland. Despite the weariness of life in suburbia, I'm trying to get out more with Roxy. We have gone on a few short day/weekend hikes, but not nearly as much as I wish we could.

 Roxy is strong and magnificent as ever, but sitting at home all day is definitely wearing on her. She unfortunately got loose once and attacked a dog who happened to be walking down the street with its owner. It was a horrific accident, but luckily the other dog will recover. Roxy is not allowed off leash anywhere anymore and has to wear a muzzle every time she goes outside now. Seeing her so restricted makes my heart hurt because I know she is a good dog, but at the same time I know it is in everyone's best interest to avoid dangerous situations.

 The longer we spend living in Indiana, the more appealing the idea of hiking the Pacific Crest Trail becomes. The unfortunate reality is that I will most likely not be able to earn enough money working at Pier 1 to finance another adventure. So the endless job search continues. Financially, accepting a position with good pay is the responsible thing to do. However I've spent enough of my life working just to have money to pay bills and I know that it doesn't end with happiness. I didn't realize how difficult it would be to get hired in a position I love. I'm not giving up on finding my dream job quite yet, but for the time being my main priority is making enough money as quickly as possible so that I can afford another thru-hike.