Chasing my dirty dreams – The Trek

growing pains

Ever since I discovered my love for hiking, the idea of ​​going on a hike has baffled me. I have a tendency to romanticize things, allowing my mind to simulate potential futures (for better or worse). As a recently turned 30-year-old, I am confident in my ability to merge my fantasies with reality.

Considering the commitment of something like the Appalachian Trail, I obviously had my anxieties. The process of altering the comforts of my daily life was not easy. Leaving friends and family behind (but especially my dog) took a toll on my emotional well-being. The worries I had extended beyond what I was leaving behind, and it wasn’t until my sister took me to Amicalola Falls and sat with me during AT Orientation that I felt full excitement within me.

The ‘why’

If you know me, you know that I am happiest when I embark on the adventure of our beautiful planet. I studied Sustainability at university and that’s when my passion emerged. However, it wasn’t until the first time I visited Yosemite that I realized what truly fed my soul.

At this point in my life I had already visited the Great Smoky Mountains, but only as an adult. Seeing the natural world through the eyes of my post-college self, appreciating the beauty of not only the world we live in but also the conservation of those natural places, really sparked something within me.

The ‘how’

I spent the next few years studying and gathering gear, taking every opportunity I could to get out and see more of the world. With nearly a dozen national parks under my belt and hundreds of miles of hiking on the odometer, I realized it was time to satisfy my childhood curiosity about real long-distance hiking.

I’m an avid Backpacker Radio listener and attribute my obsession with the idea of ​​hiking to my future best friends, Zach and Chaunce. I have listened to stories both dark and happy for hours, inspired by ordinary people doing outstanding things. I realized I could also try something as legendary as the AT. Being from Tennessee and living in Knoxville, I felt like I should also hike the AT to pay my respects to my roots.

The ‘now’

With all that said, on April 8, 2026 I embarked on what I now consider the first day of my life. Teary-eyed, oversaturated with gratitude for the people who supported this dream, I began what many told me would be the adventure of a lifetime.

Over the next few months I hope to share this journey with whoever tunes in to my ramblings. I’ve been at this point for about 10 days now and I can confidently say this is the best decision I’ve ever made. In my entire human life, I never thought these feelings of gratitude could be so powerful. I never thought my feet could hurt so much!

If you’re reading this, I love you. And if you’re not reading this, I’m going to assume you can’t read.

Peace and love – AT in the AT

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