Hiking ruined my American dream

It’s late July 2023. I’m driving with the windows down on I-69 in southern Indiana, blasting classical music. My car speakers are the only thing in my Jeep Patriot that still works exceptionally well; It would be a shame not to use them to their full potential. Appalachian Spring: VII. Aaron Copland’s Doppio movement plays and I turn up the volume a little more.

Hmm, there is a trail in those mountains, right? I bet I could do it all in one go.

The investigation began at 5 a.m. the next day while he was warming up in the gym. 2200 miles? Okay, maybe that’s a little crazy… or maybe I’m a little crazy? Ahh through hiking, that’s what it’s called. After a week of research, I had it in my mind and heart that I would do it next year. I told my circle of friends shortly after. In the end I told my family and my co-workers too. Surprising everyone was the news that he planned to walk from Georgia to Maine. As someone who has never covered more than a few miles on a day hike, do I plan to walk every day for six months? And also sleep in a tent in the forest?

Everyone thought he was crazy.

So many emotions when I finally saw the arch!

On April 10, 2024, I set out to hike the Appalachian Trail. On October 13, 2024, I stopped in Katahdin and began planning the next adventure. Finally, in May 2026, I will be able to begin the next adventure on the Pacific Crest Trail.

That day at the end of July 2023, I didn’t know it, but everything changed. I was happy with my life at that time. My partner was friendly. My work was good. I was close to my friends and family. When I began the path, I slowly realized that everything that satisfied me was not at all what I really wanted. It was comfortable, easy. Following the status quo. This was the American dream. I was growing in the right order and that made my life good. I didn’t even feel fulfilled or happy, but at least it looked good from a stranger’s perspective.

Living the American dream in the summer of 2023, before being Starlight.

Hiking made me realize that I don’t need to worry about strangers’ perspectives, I only need to worry about my own. How do I want to live my life? What brings me joy? What makes me feel fulfilled?

Who cares about the “American dream”? What are they? my dreams?

It turns out that being dirty, sweaty, hungry and tired after a day of hiking is my source of true joy. If only it was accounting or something… just kidding. This is good. I feel fulfilled and happy doing this, and that is enough for me. It may not be a title, a white picket fence, a husband or children, but I am 25 years old. I have time for those things when I decide I want them. We tend to rush through life and that used to be my goal. Now all I want is to slow down. I can stop and smell the flowers. I can walk from Mexico to Canada. I have time and I could very well use it to do something extraordinary.

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