I can’t believe this day is here. Nearly a year ago, I decided to buy a van and set the end of March as my departure date. Now I’m turning in the keys to my house, closing the door on the storage unit, and hitting the road.
This journey began when I was in college. My friends were contemplating study-abroad programs, I wanted to see the United States. Then, at several points during my professional career, I would dream of taking a year off to camp around the US. I finally lived that dream in 2021. When that trip ended, I knew I wasn’t finished. I didn’t know how the journey would continue, but I was open to whatever opportunities came up.
When people would hear about my trip, the most frequent response I received was “I don’t even know how to use a park.” I spent a year saying “someone needs to tell the stories of the parks and teach people how to use them,” before realizing that I could be that person. The Parks Podcast launched in July 2023.
I continue to tell the stories of parks I visited in that year, and this trip will give me the opportunity to experience more, and in a different way. On the first trip I was visiting for me. This time I’m visiting for me & for you, the listener. I’ll continue to share the stories of parks and my journey. May it be peaceful (fingers crossed).
See you in the parks.