The Beginning

 This adventure started with a very long bumpy ride on a gravel road in my parents' van. The entire time I felt a huge array of emotions: excitement, nervousness, joy, anticipation. We got to the parking lot and as the dust settled I thought

This is it.  All the planning and waiting has come to this.

It really is hard to describe how it feels to finally put into action something that once only existed in your dreams.  

I didn't hike the approach trail so my parents hiked the first mile up to Springer Mountain with me. I signed the registry and then it started to click. Holy cow I am doing this! 

Since that first mile, I have seen a bear, bees pollinating flowers, a tiny snail, climbed many mountains, rounded a bend to stumble upon incredible views, and have felt so alive.  

To me, that's what these first three days have been: a reminder that life exists abundantly and in ways we often don't notice. 

Life outshines death, even on the darkest of days. The struggle may be real, but there is life along the path. Like climbing mountains, where your old legs suffer and groan on their way to becoming stronger and capable. I am in love with this!