Monster On The Move

Welcome to my blog.

In just over a month I’m going to leave home and travel the country in my Chevy Equinox. I won’t be alone the whole time— I’m not even sure I’ll be on my own for a majority of the upcoming months. But I know it’s my trip. It’s been my dream. And I’m finally going to make the drive.

As I’ve turned the page on different chapters in my life over the past months (graduation, moving home, the new year), I’ve been rereading some of my old journal entries. The first time I actively wrote about the possibility of this trip was on January 15th, 2023— the night that I finished reading Wild by Cheryl Strayed.

“I don’t think I’ll hike the PCT, but I do know that I’ll go solo into uncharted territory. Just me. And nature. For some time. The spark of a dream to car camp and travel is fluttering and I truly believe it’s in reach."

That spark of knowing that I could (then that I would) gift myself the time to travel and hike and get away from the routine of academia and work got me through my last years of undergrad. And so I’ve spent the past two years falling in love with being by myself and dreaming up a solo trip where I got to explore National Parks and see parts of the country I've never been to before.

Me & Monster in November 2024, after my Grandad and I finished building a mattress platform for the trip.

Wild also happens to be where Monster got her name. In Cheryl’s story, her pack is called Monster because of its size and weight— but remains her only constant companion throughout her hike. My Monster will be my companion for this trip. And to be honest, she looks quite monstrous next to my 5’2” frame.

I'm not completely sure what this blog will look like yet, but I hope its filled with stories and pictures of beautiful places, people and experiences. I'll share my favorite foods, reads, listens and stops along the way too.

Needless to say, I'm excited about this next little chapter of my life. And I'm excited to take you along with me.

Cheers!