John and I started on an epic National Park journey in
2013. I grew up in Norwood, Massachusetts where the
closest wilderness is over two hours away, while John was raised in a small
rural town in central Massachusetts. Early
in our relationship we decided we wanted to spend more time outdoors and began
hiking at Blue Hills Reservation in Canton, MA and Wachusett Mountain in
Princeton, MA. It was so refreshing to
be outdoors, breathing clean, crisp air and enjoying the nature. After hiking on the weekends for a few months,
we began noticing both physical and emotional improvements to our lives. There is an indescribable healing power that
nature offers, which is often overlooked.
We began to want more: more trails, more nature, more adventures, and more
experiences.
We had been dating about a year and were planning a trip to
the Washington D.C. area to visit John’s sister. We noticed Shenendoah National Park was only a
few hours away, and decided to make a stop on the way back up to Massachusetts. (Don’t worry, Shenendoah will be featured in
a separate post!)
This was our first introduction to the National Parks and it
changed everything. There’s a simultaneous feeling of awareness, presence, relaxation
and excitement when we are in the Parks.
Somehow, we belong there, while at the same time we don’t. It is an area of land designed to keep pure
from humans, yet being there feels right. It feels like home.
Visiting all 60 U.S. National Parks became our lifetime
goal. It may not be easy, but it is
absolutely going to be worth it.
Fast forward six years, we are now married and ten parks
closer to our goal! We are writing this
blog to share our experiences with all of you, including everything from the 'must-sees' to the 'don’t bothers'. We hope
it inspires you to create goals and adventures of your own, whatever they may
be!
~Brooke
