Today I Leave for the Pacific Crest Trail

It is a warm, sunny day in Minnesota... and by warm, I mean 20 degrees. I woke up this morning with only one thought: Today is the day I leave for the Pacific Crest Trail. And despite my worries for the past few weeks, I am strangely calm right now. Almost everything is scratched off my…

5 Days Before the Pacific Crest Trail—Fear of Failure

One person told me directly that they expected me to be back much sooner than I thought. This infuriated me.

7 Days Before the Pacific Crest Trail—worry worry worry!

I fly out to San Diego in 7 days. What can I say? The days are whizzing past at lightening speed. I feel like I have so many things to get done and even though my logical side tells me I am prepared-- I don’t feel prepared. My anxiety is through the roof… did I…

15 Days Before the Pacific Crest Trail

In fifteen days, I will be on a plane with my boyfriend flying to San Diego. We will be homeless for two nights before setting off on the PCT on March 2nd. Panic is just beginning to set in, but I haven’t felt the full effect yet. I think I can’t quite comprehend that the…

30 Days Before the Pacific Crest Trail

Since the night of January 15, I’ve had pretty much miserable, sleepless nights every night since. These dark hours are filled with stress about all that I need to get done in the coming weeks, worry about certain aspects not working out, fear of failure and embarrassment, and above all, debilitating fear of death. I…

My Five Dollar Gift

"Most people, myself included, are so addicted and attached to those green and ink stained slips of paper. Generosity is hard."

23 Different Beds

It is a warm, sunny day in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. I am sitting in a hard wooden chair, inside a silent rugged cabin, a chubby Bernese Mountain dog snoring at my feet, and a boney rescued stray sleeping not far off. It is an odd scene, considering that I don't live in Colorado, I don't…