I’m sitting here in a Tuscon, AZ, Dunkin’ Donuts drinking a liter of iced coffee, thinking about getting a second one. I quit my job about five weeks ago; it’s very liberating and I completely recommend you quit yours, too. On Saturday morning I’ll be getting dropped off at the Mexico-New Mexico border to start my thru-hike of the CDT. Typically, like most, I have always worked or prepared for my thru-hike right up until the time I leave for it. It’s normally such a busy time right up until leaving that I haven’t had much time to think about the task ahead of me. This year is different; I planned it so that I would be adventuring all over the West before the trail.

I started in Washington, road-tripped through the Columbia River Gorge enjoying the waterfalls, stopped into Cascade Locks and climbed up top of the PCT monument before heading to the coast. We followed the coast from Washington, through Oregon, and down to the California redwoods.

Spent our days and nights on the beach and in the redwoods for several days before heading to Umpqua hot springs and then Bend, OR. In Bend we went caving, went to Smith Rock, and visited my favorite Turkish bathhouse. At that point it was time to depart on the second leg of my pre-CDT adventure. I left from Portland and traveled to Bishop, CA. Bishop was yet another PCT blast from the past as I had stayed there at The Hostel California on my 2017 thru-hike.

In Bishop I stayed at the hostel for about a week, got my bearings, and made some friends. I spent my days climbing and hiking and my nights under the stars camping and in the amazing hot springs there and in Mammoth.

Three weeks there flew by so fast and before I knew it, it was time to head to LA to catch my flight here to Arizona where newfound friends have hosted me in their home as I wait for my Crazy Cook shuttle date. Looking at the time right this moment my ride to New Mexico is less than an hour and a half away from picking me up. I’ve been talking with friends and trail fam who have already started the CDT; I have been told to “hurry up,” to “catch up,” to “get my ass on trail!”

For once I don’t feel the urge or lust to be on trail, the need to be there right this minute. Rather than dealing with the anguish of the calm before the storm, that is typically the moments up until the start of my thru-hike, I have been thriving in the storm before the storm. Living in the moment enjoying everything and everyone around me. Adventuring as hard as my body and soul can stand rather than vicariously watching day by day on social media counting down the seconds till my start date. Don’t get me wrong; I’m excited to start and crush miles. But as my brother YoungBlood says, “You gotta take the time to smell the flowers.”

Next time you all hear from me I’ll be on trail. 🙋‍♂️