Quarter-life crisis? Yes, maybe…

As I sit here for 10 minutes trying to figure out how to start this little introduction to why I’m trying to hike the Appalachian Trail and emphasizing that it may not sound good to others on the Internet, I guess this exact situation can speak for itself. I’m an overthinker. Sure, there are a thousand reasons why I want to go hiking, it’s always been on my bucket list, I love the outdoors, I want to challenge myself, find my inner spirit, yada yada yada. The simple fact is, aside from the gear, the logistics, shitting in the woods, and the hiking itself, it’s easy. Hiking is one foot in front of the other, no need to think too hard! Always has been, always will be. And that’s my favorite part.

My backstory

Hiking, camping, spending time doing some type of outdoor activity has always been an important part of my life. When I was a kid, I remember one summer my dad took me on a two-week bike trip along the C&O Canal Trail, biking and camping along the 185-mile trail. That moment was a major catalyst for my love of the outdoors. Even in high school, many of my friends and I would go camping in the Withlacoochee State Forest, adjacent to the neighborhood where I grew up in Sumter County, Florida.

As I grew up, earned a degree in Nursing, worked in the hospital before traveling as a nurse around the country, visiting lots of interesting places, hiking has always been the common theme. Walking is what I did right after I got my degree, what I want to do on vacation, and what I want to do when I’m stressed. If you work in healthcare, you are chronically stressed, believe me! Since I’ve done all these hikes and camped in cool places, I’ve always had a full hike in mind. A definitive adventure to focus on what I love and maybe learn a little about myself too.

Hiking in Arizona after starting my first travel contract in Phoenix! 01/2024

Why now?

Honestly, my biggest reason, and don’t judge me, I don’t know what to do next. Of course, I have my list of reasons for why I hike, how I will feel once I succeed, and how I will feel if I give up inspired by reading Appalachian Trials by Zach Davis, which is a great read. I’ll keep them locked away in my journal for now. On top of that, although travel nursing has opened up so many opportunities and new friendships that I will treasure, I’m not sure it’s what I want to continue doing. On top of that, I’ve been on a bit of a career hiatus since having shoulder surgery at the end of October last year and have been recovering from that, which, by the way, my surgeon says I can make the journey, fingers crossed his medical opinion is valid. I’ve decided that, due to these circumstances, six months with one foot in front of the other may be exactly what the doctor ordered, no pun intended!

Why blog?

Growing up, I always liked to write and record experiences so I could go back and read about what I had done at certain times in my life and the emotions I related to the events. I feel like as I’ve gotten a little older and like everyone, hobbies can sometimes fall by the wayside. I stopped writing and as social media became the new way to share experiences, I didn’t find myself as focused on writing or sharing for myself as I was on sharing for others. Currently, I don’t have any social media and this seems like the perfect opportunity to share my trail experience and write regularly again.

Logbook signing at Raven Rock Shelter in Smithsburg, MD 01/2026. I hope to be in this same place sometime this summer!

The plan?

Simple, I hope. My sister and her husband are taking me to the approach trail at Springer Mountain at the end of March. We planned to stay at Amicalola Falls State Park the night before the hike to check in at the park for my AT-thru hike. I’m so excited to have you join me on that first day of hiking and camp at our first stop that night! This will be my first long-term backpacking trip. I have a lot to learn, but I’m looking forward to meeting new people and receiving guidance from other hikers. If you have any tips for a first-time hiker, feel free to leave them below!

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