Here i Am!

I know it’s been a while since I’ve updated the journal, and sorry for going MIA! 

The trail beat me down so much that I ended up staying back in NYC for a couple weeks. It was a nice bit of recharge and recovery, which was much needed. I feel I needed some time to do nothing and process everything happening with the trail, as well as Lauren. 

I was already hurting and down, but losing the one closest to my heart just pushed the scales a little too much. Cant say I handled it all that well, but my beaten physical and mental state didn’t lend well to the added heartache; an awful trifecta. I wish things could have turned out differently, but I suppose that’s what everyone says when things end. I do remain hopeful for what the future holds, but it’s been made clear my hope is simply a delicate suffering. I’ll do my best to remain positive and persevere. Time home was much needed. 

While in the city I saw my friends Jon and Scott, and spent a lot of time with Chris (my oldest friend from the city). The 4th was a bit tough for me, as Lauren and I had planned to spend a long weekend together in Denver for the holiday. But was happy to have spent it with Chris and his mom watching the fireworks on the east side. My brother was around, but my mom and sister are in Spain hiking the Camino, so it was just us and the doggo for my time there. 

Nathan (my brother) and I had planned for him to come out and meet me on trail after the 4th of July, so I decided to keep all of that in place and on the 5th we came back out to Colorado. He will hike with me for about a week, and then is heading home, followed by Spain to hike the Camino with mom and Genevieve (and his girlfriend!). Our plan is to finish up Colorado, and after that I’m still uncertain of what I’ll do regarding finishing the trail. Hopefully the next week or so will surface some clarity.