Anticipating Katahdin & introduction to US!

It was 2 months ago that we found ourselves saying, “I’d really like to just pack up and hike the Appalachian Trail!” #bucketlist. We looked at each other, and were amazed that we both had always had this desire. So here we are; completely raw and anxious and fearing the unknown…but life’s circumstances “gave” us the opportunity to do something we always dreamed about. Especially me, Kadie (trailname: Katbird) — I have been yearning to be outdoors and in nature pretty much my whole life. I remember “camping out” in my swingset/treehouse that my Uncle built and just dreaming about living there, among the trees, breeze, marsh, and yes – even bugs. Born and raised in Florida (Jacksonville, to be exact) I hear that I’m at a significant disadvantage to tolerating the chilly weather and elevation. BUT WHO CARES?? I’ve heard of 80 year old hikers complete this thru trek, and I’m hell bent on being in “the club.”

James and I have only been married 6 months, and we’re still getting to know each other and the intricacies of married life. I think this trail will REALLY uncover a lot of our fears, character defects, frustrations, and teach us how to depend on each other, and most importantly God. We’re learning how to ask for help (especially when it comes to funding this trek, which we are using our savings for but hoping to re-imburse our accounts through fundraising on our Go Fund Me Campaign ) and praise God in all circumstances. James is my best friend, he’s seen me at my worst, and I his. Now we’re ready to see each other’s BEST. We’re recovering from nearly a lifetime battle of addiction, specifically alcoholism. It’s been around us our whole lives, whether it was our playmates or families and we are DONE. We have had ENOUGH. We know all too well the cycle of disappointment, despair, and destruction for which addiction is responsible for. We have hurt our families, loved ones, friends, and probably even strangers due to this mental illness.

Its time for a fresh start, and I can’t think of a better way of giving back then to share #addictionawareness and Fully Rely On God (FROG)…this is where my obsession with frogs comes in! LOL. Baxter State Park, Appalachian Trail on Mt. Katahdin opened last Saturday, and we have spent the past week preparing and psyching ourselves up for the trek. We are now in Millinocket, ME at the Appalachian Trail Lodge and will be leaving for the summit tomorrow — we waited out some nasty weather. We can’t wait! Thanks for joining us on this journey, please sign up for updates and we hope you will get some inspiration and “trail magic” from us too!

God Bless, Kadie & James (Katbird & Trail)