About Me

Am I Qualified to Write a Hiking Blog? 

Honestly, I don't really know. But, here we are. I was a wild child growing up who spent most of my days exploring in the woods with my dogs. As life moved on and I got busy with school and other things, I ventured away from that. Thankfully, I reconnected with that part of myself while taking study breaks in veterinary school with my best girls, Scooter and Stella. I realized the part of me that yearned to be in the woods with her dogs was still there, and I sought so much comfort from the quiet moments where it was just the three of us. They both passed away in early 2022, but outdoors is where I go to feel most connected to their memories, and whatever higher power is tying all of us to the world in which we live. 

Now as an adult, I have the time and means to travel and explore, and although I was an outdoorsy little gremlin child, my family were more 'indoorsy' people. So, I had never been to a National Park and in 2021, I decided I was going to change that. And, in typical 'me' fashion, I won't settle for just checking a few of the big ones off the list- I want to see them all. So, that's my goal. 

Why Hike Alone?

Does she have friends and people who care about her? Yes. But with everyone being so busy all the time, try getting dinner plans together with more than three people, let alone a whole hiking trip. I also just really like being alone in nature. There is something about the space and the silence that allows me to connect with myself in a way I can't do anywhere else, and make sure I am happy in life and figure out what changes need to be made if I'm not. I like to hike A LOT, so asking friends to bear with me on a 10+ mile day that I keep adding to because there is sunlight left and I don't have an Off button can be challenging. I like having a schedule that's just for me, waking up before dawn to get to the trail head, stopping and taking 14 pictures of the same rock because I like how it looks in the light, eating whatever I want and just letting things take as long as they take. Do I love traveling with my friends? Absolutely! There is beauty in shared experiences and we all have a wonderful time together. But, there is also beauty in the quiet internalization of being out in nature alone and allowing it the time and space to speak directly to your soul. 

Here's a lot more info about how I plan my alone time: Going Solo 

Why National Parks?

They're pretty cool, I guess. Really though, they are all beautiful and unique and protected for a reason. When looking to do these solo trips, I've wanted trails that are well established, simple to navigate, easy to research extensively, and while I don't want to hike with tons of other people, seeing some here and there is a comforting feeling when you're by yourself. These parks have given me the peace of mind to plan safe, unforgettable experiences and I can't wait to cross more off my list. I currently don't camp or backpack alone, which is the next goal of mine. But for now, National Parks are the perfect place for amateur hikers (me) to make the most out of every minute.  

What Does This Non-Professional Hiker Do In Real Life?

I am a veterinarian in St. Louis at an emergency clinic. It's long, stressful hours of overnights and weekends, and it can be very draining. But, I love it and it's amazing to be living my childhood dream. I have two dogs who are my next generation of hiking buddies, Moose and Kolache, and two cats who prefer to stay at home, Oliver and Bechamel. When I'm not hiking, I can be found hibernating and playing video games or watching trash TV, cooking, baking, running, biking, learning ballet, and apparently writing a travel blog.