Hello:
My name is Melissa Bellavance. I am fifty-one years old and currently reside in the greater Boston area. I am the son of a hiker… My father, the FAUSA hiker, was part of the 2000-2004 class. It was through him and the people he met on his first hike that formed my first experiences with the trail community and life on the trails.
Clearwater Beach 1975
Life or death
I chose to live. My “defining moment” would have to be my first hike on the Appalachian Trail, in August 2004, Sobo. Harper’s Ferry WV. Newly divorced, separated from the life I once knew, struggling with the death and loss of my fourth child in 2003, my own personal struggle with opioid addiction, and struggling with the aftermath of a broken family structure…my dad showed up at my house with a completely full backpack…and gave me a week to prepare to catch a train and head to West Virginia to begin hiking the Appalachian Trail…it was live or die for me. I chose to live and we set out to hike the Appalachian Trail south from Harper’s Ferry, WV. I arrived at Harpers’ Ferry in the throes of opiate withdrawal. The next 450 miles changed the entire direction my life would take. My mother financed the trip and my father directed it. Thanks to both my parents!! You never gave up on me. I never gave up! We recovered! It is solved by walking. The trail name «Won’t get up» was given to me by FAUSA on day 2. Angels Rest in Pearisburg, VA changed it to «Genesis».
Opioid withdrawal. Appalachian Trail, Virginia 2004. Life is worth living. Don’t give up.
Day 1. Rebirth. We recover. Thanks, dad. I love you.
My dad, FAUSA hiker, Appalachian Trail, Virginia 2004. The miles were turning into smiles.
Appalachian Trail, Virginia 2004, We Recover
The art of changing for the better
My first walk was in 2019. Still sober! We recover. I was 44 years old and I think a combination of many different events that happened in my life, along with strained family relationships, led me to revisit the place that had previously brought me out of the darkness. It is solved by walking.
Appalachian Trail, Maine, 2019
In Class of 2019 Flip Flop
I met Poncho in Vault 501 and he ended up with me in Springer
magic trail
Fast forward to 2026. Still sober! It is solved by walking. My three adult children are now parents. All successful, married and living wonderful lives. I have 7 beautiful grandchildren ages 1-12 and a beautiful 16 year old granddaughter! I met the love of my life on the Appalachian Trail in 2019 and we were married in a white blaze, to my wonderful son-in-law Bill McDonald, on Mount Greylock in 2023, right in the middle of a hike. It is solved by walking. The trail provides!
My son-in-law Bill married us at a white fire at the top of Greylock in the middle of our walk in 2023.
The journey is the destination
My father, FAUSA, died in my arms, with our eyes locked, in 2022, and I walked his ashes along the Appalachian Trail AND the Long Trail in 2023. They “tie-dyed him” and scattered him along the trail. According to your request.
“The story of life
It’s faster than the wink of an eye
The story of love
It’s hello and goodbye…
…Until we meet again…”
-Jimi Hendrix
The ATC gave my dad his own tag. I spread it along the path. RIP my FAUSA. Until we meet again… I will love you forever. Forever your “Genesis”.
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