Leaving home to tackle our dream thru hike as father daughter duo (AT)

Today was a lot emotionally!! Said goodbye to my golden, Kin which was the toughest goodbye I’ve ever had.😢🤍 As I was saying goodbye to her my husband was tearing up and I’ve only seen him cry about 4 times in the almost 14 years we’ve been together. I am so thankful for him for letting me embark on this journey, he has been nothing but supportive, and the same goes to my mother.

As we were leaving Dixfield to head to Portland for the bus station many of our family, friends and community came out to the town to do a send off for us including some people from my dad’s company, The Fitch Company and from our local Black Mountain of Maine ski are! We are so blessed. My mom knew about this surprise and was trying to rush us out of the house.

We thought it was a car wash or a protest and realized as we got closer and saw our fam/friends it was for us!! So fun, emotional, made us really see and feel how much support we really do have!! We are beyond grateful. Lots of fun/motivating posters (see pics below). My mom and Ryan came down with us to drop us off at the bus station in Portland.

On our way down to Portland today we stopped at REI and bought stuff sacks, lightweight wool gloves, and a ground sheet because my dad left the grounding sheet back home! We re-packed our packs in the REI parking lot and we were off to the bus station. The stuff sacks are game changers, got one for our clothes and quilt!

My dad and I said goodbye to my mom and Ryan, this was very hard. But also sweet because our adventure was officially beginning. Thankfully I will see Ryan in less than 2 weeks because he is going to hike the smokies with us YAYY!! We got to the hotel at Logan Airport after taking the bus and had ourselves a wonderful dinner!

We then returned to the room and FaceTimed our fam. As emotional as it was saying goodbye today I don’t think it has entirely hit me that my dad and I’s dream is about to start but here we go!!! Tomorrow we fly out, Ron’s AT shuttle is picking us up, and we head to Amicolola Falls and begin our journey of walking home!!