Two weeks ago today, I got on a bus to Maine with my backpack. It’s been a pretty wild ride, and as with anything, there have been some unbelievable highs along with tough lows. Overall, I’m grateful to be out here, experiencing the most beautiful state on the trail and meeting an amazing bunch of people.
Here have been some of the highlights:
- Summiting Katahdin on Day 1 – a perfectly clear day with views for miles around.
- Hiking with a cool group of people for the first few days, many of whom helped me out in moments of need. A few things I was given: trekking poles, toilet paper (I almost cried when someone gave me a roll on day 5), and food on several occasions. One friend, Blake, provided a lot of support on my toughest day.
- Beautiful views at the top of White Cap Mountain and the Chairbacks.
- Swimming in several crystal clear creeks and ponds.
- Camping on some of the most serene, untouched lakes that our country has to offer.
- Staying at two friendly, comfortable hostels in Monson and Caratunk.
- Lots of exercise!
Still, it hasn’t been without its struggles, including:
- Sunburning my scalp on day 1, earning my trail name Carrot Top!
- Having my body crash on Day 6 – nausea, chills, headaches, shooting pain in my leg, and back pain.
- A recurring injury on the right side of my back that isn’t quite healing up. I’m currently taking 2 days off in hopes that it gets better.
- Boredom! There’s a lot of time to think out here, and sitting still during recovery days is particularly hard.
- I miss Rocío! Knowing that it will be a few months until we see each other again isn’t easy, and we only get to talk every few days.
I still can’t believe I’m out here! More than anything, I’m proud that I took something that really scared me and did it anyway, and I’ve learned a lot about myself in the process.
Trails And Travels 