It’s almost time!! My trip is only 2 weeks away and I still feel like I have SO much left to do to get ready. Everyday I get more excited and more nervous. What the hell did I get myself into? I don’t hike, so why not fly to the other side of the world and backpack across 2 countries. Hostels, campsites and hundreds of miles of hiking trails await me. Such is life though. Whether you’re at home or on the other side of the world, there’s always adventures to be had and I can’t wait to share mine with you through this blog!!!! Please feel free to share the link with any of your family or friends that may be interested.

Some people may think I just woke up one day and decided to take this trip, but the truth is that it has kind of always been inevitable since I spent 3 weeks as a student ambassador in Australia when I was fourteen. I always said when I went back that it was going to be a one way ticket, but I’m not sure I can move that far away from my family anymore. They need me after all, ;). You can’t just replace this much awesomeness in your daily life. In a way, this is still a bit of a scouting mission in case I do ever decide to make it more permanent.

In actuality though, this trip has a deeper meaning……deeper roots. Into The Wild by Jon Krakauer has been my favorite book since it was published in 1996. It was more recently made into a movie, so some of you may be familiar with it without having read the book. It’s a look at the true story of Christopher McCandless; a young, college graduate who in 1990 gave up everything he owned and began traveling the West Coast eventually making his way to Alaska, where he would meet his end in August of 1992. McCandless seemed to be searching for some sort of enlightenment. It’s always fascinated me that someone could just drop everything and go with no real idea where he was headed or how he was getting there.

So…..why now? I don’t have an exact answer for that question. Those of you that know me well, know I’ve been lost for awhile now. No real direction in life other than towards the next source of fun. Don’t get me wrong, it’s been a blast and I’ve done some amazing things. However, it’s also kept me poor and sort of just hovering in the same spot in my life for 10 years. I guess I’m just searching for what’s next in life. A new direction to mix with the current one. Something to actually accomplish and be passionate about other than having more fucking fun than everyone else (I got that award on lockdown).  I have no idea what I’ll learn about life or myself over the next 6 months, but I’m going to find it out on my own.

Just me. On the other side of the world; kickin it with the kangaroos.

To my family and friends: Thank you to everyone who has supported this dream and especially to everyone who has contributed to all the gear I needed!! You have no idea how huge it was to save money on buying all that stuff. I love you all and will miss you terribly!!!