Saturday, November 21, 2020

Transitions, training, preparing...#1

 


So, I quit my research position the end of September in an attempt to transition to my exit!!!  It has been amazing and another learning aspect...I like people, not data. Who knew!? I'm sure some of my patients could tell. :-/ Anyway, I am working PRN in the clinic where I have worked since July 2017! I started back in the clinic the beginning of October, and it has been amazing. Originally, I thought it would give me the chance to prepare for my 4800 mile adventure. Currently, with the pandemic and my coworkers going out sick, I have not had time for anything other than work. I am ok with this as I know at some point they will hire enough staff to cover everything and my hours will be cut. With that said, I am also ok with just getting as many hours as possible to bank the money for the trip. With the financials out of the way, I can focus my off time on testing gear, building muscles, and figuring out my needs. 

At one point, I mentioned to my husband about him working from home; therefore, he could just follow me along the route. Then, the other day, I came home to him being angry at work, and me feeling helpless in regards to being able to solve his problems, and realized that this too is why I go solo on these adventures. It is not because I do not love or support my husband. The bigger problem is that I will push my needs aside to make sure that he is happy and thus allow his mood to affect my mood. THIS is why I hike alone...I'm too easily swayed to care for others.

So, I have been buying tons of gear. You would think after having done 2 other longish trails that I would have a handle on my gear. Well, this is twice as long as I have ever gone and thus, I am not sure of my gear at this time. While doing recon this past August, I realized that humidity and bugs are a bigger issue than the Colorado Trail, but maybe similar to the Appalachian Trail (AT). With that said, I think the bugs are maybe worse than the AT! :-/ SO, I have bought bug clothing and spray to treat my clothing in hopes of not having trouble with the mosquitos/flies. 

I have figured out how many days left of work, which then tells how close to Day 1 I am. As of today, I am 131 days from being done with work. Within 1 week, I hope to be started on the trail. Today, while hiking 10miles, I thought about changing the direction of my adventure. When looking at the dates, I then realized that would mess up some plans that friends and family have already put in place. So, I will NOT be changing my direction. My adventure will continue as planned...Vermont to North Dakota; April through October 2021. I can't wait to get started.

Some have asked whether my plans will change again with this new increase in COVID cases. I have to say that this pandemic has only taught me how much in need of self-care I really am. For 2020, I delayed my adventure thinking of my fellow nurses and my patients. As the stress of this pandemic weighs heavily on all of us, I have realized how much I am in need of hiding in the woods to care for myself and thus become a better nurse. So, despite knowing that my fellow nurses are struggling through this pandemic, I will stay the course for my 2021 North Country Trail adventure. It is the only way I can return to the field with a better state of being to care for my patients and be the best nurse I can be. I also feel supplies will be better as people have come to realize the pattern and timing of this pandemic. I should not have trouble finding resources as I traverse this trail, but will still realize the need to keep all people safe through hygiene, whether that means masks, vaccines, or simply hand hygiene and wearing a mask. 

So, onward I go to train, test, and determine my best options along the course. I cannot wait to get started and see how things really go. Many have asked about my safety, and what I will be carrying for my protection. With the weirdness of 2020, I do think I will be carrying Bear spray as it is good not only for bears, but also mountain lions and humans. In 2020, we have seen the animals start to take over the cities with lockdown, so I want to be prepared. As part of the NCT facebook page, I have heard about loose dogs along the road walks, for this I plan to carry citronella spray to make them back off, if needed. It is harmless and yet affective. I continue to play with equipment and clothing to know my best options for different times during the adventure. 

I'm sure things will continue to change throughout the adventure. That is part of the adventure, after all. I'm hoping that I have all the right things to at least keep my feet healthy as well as be able to sleep. Those are the most important parts of any adventure. I fully believe if one cannot sleep and his/her feet are so bad that they cannot continue, then the adventure is potentially over. So, sleep and feet are my most important aspects of this trip. 

With every day, I am excited to get started. I love my patients. I love my coworkers. So, this is going to be a different adventure. In the past, I was just starting a job, where I hadn't quite made connections with my coworkers, or I was at the end of my job and looking for change. This time I feel I am in the middle of an ideal situation hoping they will take me back (should I decide to return) with open arms. With that said, I may decide during this trek that I might best serve my community by doing some other position within the service community. We will see what happens. The hope is to start no later than 9 April, but we will see what the trails and weather decide for me. I can't wait to start.