It started with two twenty-somethings navigating a lot of snowmelt, mosquitos, and a lack of a trail on our first backpacking trip together.
Most relationships start with dinner and a movie; ours started with a water bottle in hand and a trip to the Denver Botanical Gardens, ending in a tornado warning and a trip down to the tornado safe hallway. After one date, we headed into the backcountry for a weekend-long backpacking trip—a move my parents were certain would end in my untimely demise. They’d clearly watched too many murder mysteries and spent the week ‘wishing me luck’ and praying I’d return in one piece. Fortunately for everyone (and especially for our now-toddler), their fears were misplaced. That trip wasn’t the end of my story; it was the beginning of a seven-year adventure that has taken us across the world and, eventually, into the wild world of parenthood.Who We Are Now
The scenery hasn’t changed, but the logistics certainly have. We were once of the mindset of ultralight backpackers—counting every ounce and trimming every strap—but these days, ‘lightweight’ isn’t in our vocabulary. Now, our gear includes a growing toddler on our backs, a pack overflowing with an endless supply of snacks and water, and a soundtrack of tiny rambling in our ears—and we forget “Bun Bun” and “Pup Pup”! The miles might take longer and the pack might be heavier, but we’ve traded our sleek gear for a mean set of ‘toddler-carrying’ legs and a much deeper appreciation for the slow-motion magic of the trail.
Unpaved Memories 