Being in the outdoors has always come natural to me. When I was just a couple days old I went from the hospital in Presque Isle Maine, into the woods of the Allagash Wilderness Waterway where my parents worked. I lived about 60 miles from the closest town until it was time for me to start school. I was fortunate to spend 16 summers and a few winters on the Allagash. Here is where I learned to swim, canoe on lakes and white water, primitive camp, hike, read a compass, snowshoe, cross country ski, snowmobile, live in a cabin without electricy or the modern conveniences of home and overall survive in the wilderness.
Ice Caves on Allagash Lake
Throughout my school years I lived in Millinocket, Maine located at the base of Mt. Katahdin and the end of the Appalachian Trail. Many of my school field trips were based in and around Baxter State Park. During my high school years, summers would find me exploring the lakes and swimming holes around Millinocket. I would drag which ever friend agreed to explore with me. In the winter, I would be cross country skiing, ice fishing or snowmobiling. Fact about me, I hated to hike. I was fortunate enough to work three summers at Katahdin Air where I could share my love of the region to the visitors of the area.
The start of a hike into Russell Pond in Baxter State Park.
After graduating high school I wanted something different so I moved to Nashua, NH to attend college. I missed the outdoors. My second year of college I met my now husband, who shared the same love of the outdoors. It was an important criteria to date me. Many weekends were spent in the White Mountains of New Hampshire hiking or kayaking. We also did a couple trips on the Allagash Wilderness Waterway. Along with a few motorcycle camping trips to Prince Edward Island and Upper New York State.
On Top of Allagash Mountain, overlooking Allagash Lake.
After we married, we chose to live in the Monadnock Region of New Hampshire. Living here we could continue to build our careers and also have access to many outdoor activities in our backyard like hiking, canoeing, snowshoeing, camping and cross country skiing.
After the birth of our daughter I wanted her to grow up and experience what the great outdoors has to offer. At just two weeks old we brought her hiking for the first time. We got a few weird looks from people, but I am glad we started her young. A few weeks shy of her second birthday, she hiked her first mountain, Kidder Mountain, not huge, but big for an almost two year old.
Throughout the years our outdoor adventures have been sporadic due to the craziness life brings with school events and building my professional career. Off and on we would make getting outside a priority. We would try to spend our summers camping, hiking, canoeing or swimming. In the winter, we would snowshoe, hiking or cross country ski.
The last couple years my family and I have really tried to make it a priority to get outside more. Especially continuing to explore the wonderful Monadnock Region. Frequently I was asked about the trails we hiked, places we camped or day trips taken. That is when I decided to start my facebook page, Getting Lost Together. As my facebook page grew I decided that I needed a place to show case all of our families adventure and a place that people could use as a guide to trails and other outdoor activities in New England. That is when I started Getting Lost Together Website.
Exploring the Ice Castles in Lincoln, NH
In March of 2017 I had completed professional licensure that I needed for my career. I had a little more free time and I found myself lost. I needed a hobby for myself. I had my website and facebook page, but I wanted something more. I had the normal household tasks to take care of and involvement with my daughters activities, but I felt I needed a hobby. I started looking around for a local hiking group and could not find one that suited me. Most of them were in the White Mountains, which I didn’t have time to do. I wanted to start my own, but due to legalities found this difficult. This is when I started doing some research and came across Hike Like a Woman.
They were looking for Ambassadors to help encourage other woman to get out more. I figured I could do that and decided to apply. I did not think I would actually make it, but in July 2017 I got the email that over 200 women applied and I was one of 22 who was chosen. I was more than ecstatic. This opened a lot of doors for me in the outdoor community. The biggest one was I was able to start my own hiking group, Hike Like a Woman Monadnock.
I ran the hiking group successfully for three and a half years. I led women of all ages on over 75 groups hikes, and was one of the most successful hiking groups through Hike Like a Woman.
A year and half ago I was able to reduce my hours at work. I was excited at the thought of all this extra time, but I found myself involved in too much. I was spending several hours a week working on my various ambassadorships and not enjoying time with my daughter or outside. With my daughter heading into her pre-teen years I wanted to make sure I was more available, especially while she still liked me.
I went from not having a hobby to almost having a second job. My very supportive husband and BFF listened to me for days go back and forth on whether to give up my ambassadorships and hiking group. To say it was a difficult decision is an understatement. I decided to give up many commitments to focus time on my family and continuing to build this blog and website. This time has allowed to be build and expand my website.
As my daughter has grown our adventures are now a combination or hiking, water fun, day trips and overnight adventures along with some of my favorites items. My website has turned into a resources for those around New England looking for outdoor activities along with day trip and overnight recommendations. I am thankful for everyone’s support.
If you ever have questions or would like to reach out to me, I can be contacted through the links below.
