Taking the first step
I have never been confused with an "outdoorsy" person. I like to visit the national parks and go on a short day hike once in a while or jump into a kayak for a bit but I'm much more comfortable curled up with a book or my laptop and a never-ending cup of coffee. So when I first expressed my decision to tackle the Ice Age Trail, it was understandably met with curious looks and little input.
During the pandemic, like many, my life shifted quite a bit. I was laid off from my dream job, got pregnant a few months later, started a new job, worked from home, and only left my house a few times a week. Three years later, I get myself "camera-ready" for work and meetings, but am still mostly in pajama bottoms and relying far too much on food delivery services. It's taken time for me to work through all the changes from the last few years. And most days, getting out of the house doesn't seem like a priority. Consequently, my health has taken a hit and now that I have a toddler running around, I'm so much more aware that I need to make some changes— if only so I can keep up with him.
Through my work, I began collaborating with more and more land trusts in the state. And with that exposure, my awareness of where I live shifted. Wisconsin is a beautiful state in all seasons. Wading through countless photographs of Wisconsin forests, prairies, grasslands, and marshes piqued my interest in exploring. When I found myself creating a map of the Ice Age Trail for a website, I made a decision: Get outside and walk the trail - as much of it as I can.
Now, I am very good at holding myself accountable when it’s for others, be it school, work, etc. But when it comes to my own goals, I'm not always as focused. So I know that if this is to be successful, I need help. I hope that my family and friends who have taken the time to visit the site and read this will be up for the challenge of keeping me going. Most of all, I hope a few of you will join me somewhere along the way.
