Travels to Talk About

What I Learned on my FIRST Backpacking Trip

I have been meaning to type this up for a couple weeks now, but to be honest…it was nice to sit with my lessons learned and apply them in different areas of my life. I don’t know about the rest of y’all but I am viciously hard on myself in more ways than one. I like to be the best, I have deeply competitive blood coursing through my veins. Now… let me be upfront and say, I KNOW I am hardly the best at anything, but I do know that I will bust my ass to try to be the best. Whether it is for my job, a new workout, or trying to rush myself through a healing process. (All things like that take time…I know, I know.)

If I am completely open and straight up…over the last few years I got REALLY lazy. I stopped going to the gym, I stopped working out, I started caring less about what I was eating. So when it came time to do something active, I would get sooooo upset with myself that it wasn’t as easy as it once was. I had and have no one to blame but myself. I wanted to start this blog and my new instagram to share my journey of finding myself again, and to help keep myself accountable. There were so many things I have wanted to try and it is time to cross them off my bucket list! Starting with backpacking…

My birthday was at the end of September and one of my good friends gifted me a backpacking trip. She was going to take care of all of the logistics and we were just going to go! Weather was being funky so we finally decided on the Five Lakes area in Tahoe National Forest. I was PUMPED, and way overconfident in my current abilities. I had been back into hiking each week for a couple weeks, but nowhere near the physical stamina I was expecting myself to be at.

We get there, and the air was THIN, (obviously…it is the mountains after all…). But I was pumped and ready to go. As an athlete growing up, I was ready for a challenge and ready to push myself if needed- let me tell you, it was needed. We started hiking, about 30-35 lbs. on my back, and with all of the determination in my heart. About half a mile up, I was thinking we were already at least 1.5 miles in…joke was on me. The incline was INTENSE. I knew going in that the two people on the trip with me were MUCH more in shape, runners and avid hikers. But my competitive self was thinking at the beginning that I could keep up. I could NOT. My speed in comparison was almost laughable. Actually, it was laughable (to me). But it was in those beginning moments that I had to do a REAL self check. I didn’t want to hurt myself, but I had a goal. Get to the top. That didn’t mean that I needed to go their speed. It didn’t mean I had to run with a 35 lb. pack on my back. It didn’t mean I had to talk to anyone while climbing up a 1100+ ft. elevation gain over two miles. But regardless, I would get to the top. No matter the breaks, no matter how much water I needed, how hard I was wheezing…I would get to the top.

So here are some things I reminded myself of…some things I learned on my hike to the top:

It is not a race to the top. You will get there when you get there.
Push yourself, BUT recognize and respect your limits.
It is okay to go it on your own for awhile. (Honestly the peace was so wonderful. I was able to take in the views, take pictures, breathe, think, take my own pace. 10/10 recommend.)
Layers are your friend. The wind chill ain’t cute.
IF you are packing extra weight, use it for layers. You really only need one outfit…
YOUR pace, is the BEST pace. (Again with the pace…but seriously.)
Don’t forget your DAMN INHALER!! (me. Hi. I did that. dumb.)
Be like The Eagles and TAKE IT EASY when there is elevation change.
Cold soaking is awesome. Made some yummy Hiker Trash Pad Thai.
Just because you hiked up and found a camp spot doesn’t mean you’re done hiking.
Mind over matter, one foot in front of the other.
You will be tired, but KEEP GOING. It is worth it.
TIGER BALM ON THE SOLES OF YOUR FEET. I don’t know what made me do this, but let me put you on it. DO IT DO IT DO IT.

There were many more lessons, but really it is about enjoying yourself. I have continued my hikes each weekend and am trying to keep it up. I can’t wait until I get to go backpacking again…hopefully it’ll be soon! I’d love to hear about your first backpacking trip, or maybe something that is keeping you from trying it! I’d also LOVE to know your FAVORITE place you have ever backpacked! I have to start up my “Backpacking Bucket List”! But for now…that’s all folks.

Adventure is calling…

ALyssa xx

THINK OUTSIDE.

“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.”
-John Muir

I find my peace amongst the trees. There is tranquility on trails that leave my feet kicking up dirt and hopping over rocks. If I am honest with myself, I have been more lost in these last two years of my life than I can ever remember. My anxiety had spiked, my depression was going through spells that became worse and worse. There are many things that played into this…but one was the manipulation I was put under from a past I don’t want to relive. Because of this, I stopped doing things I loved. I used to hike, OFTEN. I used to camp, OFTEN. The joy I felt from letting myself go- breathing in natural creation and exhaling the stress of life, from freeing myself in the midst of nature- was gone.

Just recently I sat wondering why I didn’t do things I enjoyed anymore. I have removed myself from toxic situations that have held me back, so why hadn’t I started back into the things that brought me joy? I couldn’t find an answer. Why is it that we can acknowledge things we love…but once we stop it is hard to start again?

I immediately felt a joy and pure exhilaration just thinking about trails, getting my feet dirty, and pulling out my trusty day pack. I finally dove head first into research (as I tend to do); reading new blogs, watching youtube videos, comparing gear, and of course…finding trails. I made a list of trails that I wanted to do, gear I wanted to buy, and I started making plans.

I hit up my friends who I know love to get on trails and asked who wanted to go. I don’t want to waste anymore time sitting inside, when there is so much to explore, see, do, experience, AHH. I just can’t stop. Even if it means I go it alone, I will go. (Not to sound like Moana, but really, there’s just no telling how far I’ll go!). The world is so grand…the possibilities for adventure are endless! I have already hit some trails and will be posting my pictures and reviews here. Don’t miss them! I am also going to talk about some of my favorite things I ALWAYS take with me on day trips!

My heart is racing in anticipation for what is to come. Don’t get left behind!

Adventure is calling…
xx Alyssa

Down and Up Trail Loop, Pilot Hill, California
4.4 mi./646 ft. Elevation Gain

Storytelling Can Change the World

“Storytelling is the most powerful. way to put ideas into the world.”
-Robert Mckee

I remember growing up, taking trips to Southern California, sitting at my Great-Grandfather’s feet and listening to him talk about his travels around the world. His house was a museum of trinkets; trinkets that when touched or noticed transported him into story of a memory from the trip it came from. I remember walking through his house in awe, afraid to touch anything, but dreaming of the places he traveled.

From a young age I have known I wanted to travel; to take in as much of the world as I could. My Great-Grandfather instilled that love and desire in me. By the time he passed away at 103, he had visited over 80 countries and all 50 states. To say I was inspired to follow in his wander-lustrous footsteps was an understatement.

Hi, my name is Alyssa and I am a self proclaimed hodophile, “one who loves to travel.” I have set goals to go to places from the stories of my Great-Grandfather, and to blaze my own trail of travel through dreams of places he didn’t make it to. Once I started, I never wanted to stop…I have become an Intinterant, a Wayfarer. I have gotten the opportunity to see many beautiful places, experience a few very different cultures, and I will not stop…I cannot stop.

Recently I have decided that there is lots of exploring to do in my own California backyard. Throughout the next few months…or maybe years…I will focus on exploring the grand state of California. When I can, I will continue to explore new places outside of California…trust me I have a LIST, but as long as it is new to me, my heart is happy.

I hope you join me for my travels! I will review different trails and places I am adventuring in, and sharing any tips and tricks I learn or come up with. You can’t explore without good gear, so I’ll be sharing things I come across in that area as well. I love to research and learn new things, so if you have suggestions of places to hike, travel, or explore, or gear to try out, send them my way! It has been great to have you in my space, I hope you enjoy.

Adventure is calling…
xx Alyssa