Hi, I’m Nuthin.
I grew up in the suburbs of the Midwest in the United States. I have a traditional family of three sisters and both parents. I remember more of my childhood as eating dinner together every night, playing with Barbies for hours with my sisters, riding bikes around the neighborhood, and doing things together on the weekends.
We didn’t take any vacations as a family, because traveling with six people is expensive. My ideas of travel came from books about wild animals and the exotic places they were from. I loved drawing animals and always have had a passion for art and wanted to become an artist.
That translated into fashion design as I got into sewing in high school, aspiring to be a fashion designer. In college, I studied more about owning my own business and ended up with a degree in marketing. I started working at a local bank, working my way up the corporate ladder while also pursuing my MBA. That’s when I met Gator.
He was working on a construction job in town and was just passing through. When we first met, we never had the intention of a romantic relationship but found we enjoyed spending time together.
I was 23 years old the first time I ever stepped on a plane. I went to Louisiana to visit Gator. We went to New Orleans, and I fell in love with the city. I was captivated by the art displays in Jackson Square, the lively music performances on Bourbon Street, and the vibrant energy of the city that made me feel truly alive. The journey was a realization of my long-standing desire to travel, which had always been accompanied by hesitation on when to do it.
I started traveling visiting Gator as he was working in different cities across the United States. Eventually, I got my passport and we decided to go to Mexico – my first time out of the country! I cried when I saw the ocean, it was so beautiful.
Riding a scooter in Cozumel, Mexico
Jackson Square, New Orleans
Gator was working in New Jersey one year and took me on a 10-mile hike in the Delaware Water Gap. He had been planning on doing a long-distance trail at some point. Call it my trial by fire, because shortly after he asked me if I wanted to hike the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) with him. The PCT is a 2,650-mile trail that spans from Mexico to Canada, through California, Oregon and Washington. Without any hesitation, I said yes.
On May 6, 2016, we began our journey on the Pacific Crest Trail from Campo, California, and it has forever changed our lives. The PCT evokes a surge of emotions within me – the highs and lows, the laughter and tears, the excitement and fear – but ultimately, it ignited a flame within me. Along the way, I discovered a deeper connection with myself and found joy in the simple things, while also learning that I was my own biggest critic.
I believe a piece of my heart will always belong on the Pacific Crest Trail.
Goat Rocks Wilderness, Washington, United States
Fast forward to life post trail – 2,500 miles later. We thought thru hiking the PCT was just a one-time thing. We tried to go back to normal everyday life, got our border collie Merci, and started looking at buying a house.
But I couldn’t get it out of my system. The trail awoke something inside of me, and I searched for that feeling again. I was relieved to learn Gator felt the same way. We finally decided to just embrace it – we didn’t want a “normal” life.
So, we decided to make a change, and live life on our own terms. We decided to sell everything except what could fit in our backpacks, and travel the world with Merci.
The PCT was a spark that ignited a flame in me. We have been traveling for over 5 years now, and wanted to share our journey in hopes that maybe we could ignite a spark for someone too.
Random Facts
About Me
- I have exercise-induced asthma.
- I am in a documentary made by a therapist I used to work with.
- I have a tendency to name inanimate objects and give them a personality.
- I designed and sewed my prom dress for my senior prom.
- I am allergic to Slim Fast.
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