Dreams Do Come True: Our 2,650-Mile Adventure Begins

It all began in high school, scrolling through YouTube after school, when I stumbled upon Dixie’s (@HomemadeWanderlust) PCT 2017 thru-hike. Needless to say, I was instantly hooked.

Our Journey So Far

My husband (Matt) and I have spent our lives in the Northeast, hiking and camping in the Adirondacks, White Mountains, and along the Appalachian Trail. He’s an arborist, and I’m pursuing a M.Sc. in Forest Resources. With summers spent working and exploring the north woods of Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine, we’ve both developed a deep love for the northern hardwood and spruce-fir forests of the Northeast. However, I’ve always had a strong desire to travel out west.

Backpacking in the Bigelow Range with the Horns Pond behind us. Yes, we’re proud weekend warriors.

A Dream to Explore the West

I didn’t want to just visit the West for a week, checking off a list of sights. I wanted to truly immerse myself in the landscape, meet new people, and push my limits. Thru-hiking a long-distance trail seemed like the perfect way to do that. With plans to attend college, I set my sights on hiking NOBO in 2023. But life had other plans (all wonderful ones). I spent a year at a small college in the Adirondacks where I met my now-husband, earned a bachelor’s degree in Forest Resources Management, and moved to Maine to pursue my master’s.

Our small wedding in Acadia National Park this past fall with friends and family.

Taking the Leap

As I’ve learned, time has a way of slipping by faster than we expect. So why not take the leap and hike the PCT now?

As we embark on this adventure I’m incredibly thankful that my husband will be joining despite the PCT never being on his radar. I’m excited for the countless days and nights we’ll share in a completely new landscape, pushing our limits and meeting incredible people along the way. Most of all, I’m beyond grateful that we’ve finally saved up for this journey and carved out the time to chase this dream. As many of you know, it’s no small feat to press pause on life and embrace the ‘dirtbag’ lifestyle. 

Sunrise on the mountain – we can’t get enough of the beauty in the Northeast and are excited to explore the landscapes out West.