Mountain Boots and Bathing Suits

Saying Goodbye

The day is getting closer!!! I still don’t think I have fully processed that this is happening. While I have been planning this for 8ish years, this fall I decided not to wait any longer.

A final backpack trip to a local hot springs was a bittersweet trip. I love those crazy idiots that come with me on zero degree sleepovers in the snow. While I know the friendships will last, I likely wont be living in this area again for a while and I wish I would have known that information this time last year.

Im no stranger to starting over, but it never gets easier to say goodbye. Whether it’s to crazy type-two adventure buddies, distant family better that have grown close, or coworkers that have become friends along the way. I hope those around me know how much of an impact they have made in my life.

Trail Angels

Another thing that astounds me, are the people who have reached out to help already. So many people have asked how they can help or “what can I send you.” As someone who struggles to accept random gifts or help, this has been a tough process for me. I cant express how grateful I am just for the offers. I have been sent wipes, cash for meals on the trail, hard to find bone broth packets, offers to organize food drops, a plan for drop off at the terminus, family plans for trail magic along the way, an early draft of a book-in-progress on mindfulness while walking, help moving my stuff to storage, support/encouragement from family/friends in my times of doubt, goodbye sushi and pasta, and offers of rides and places to stay along the way.

So as I book myself solid with gut punching goodbyes…. I just have to remember that all the best things in my life (including meeting these people I’m sad to leave) have been the result of taking hold of an unexpected opportunity. They happen in the magic time when I recognize when to say yes, even if its not on my planned timeline.