My Story
As a survivor of a head-on collision when I was 24 and more recently a severe concussion, I've twice been forced to slow down. With each injury, I found myself unable to do things I’d relied upon as both activities and distractions. As a Div. I scholarship cross country and track athlete, I learned to pull from other areas within myself for strength as I strove to get back to "normal" and to regenerate what I saw as my identity. As a passionate trail runner, professional photographer, and networker (who loves to connect people to create more good in the world!), I’m used to always being on the go!
While recovering from my concussion in early 2016, I found myself unable to look at computer screens, televisions or my phone as my brain healed itself. Even activities such as reading and writing as well as doing anything related to focus caused nausea. All at once, all of the activities I had been relying on to keep in contact with others and to distract myself with were no longer viable alternatives. I had to learn to listen to what my body was telling me instead. As I began to heal, I discovered adult coloring books and dreamed of what I would do once I was better enough, how I wanted creating space for others to embrace slowing down too. As I meditated, I reminded myself how much better I felt from listening to my body - from dietary needs, to sleep, to reducing stress, etc. As I have been forced to slow down, I've realized and remembered just how much community means to me - whether that's on the trails, through a shared meal or by connecting individuals to one another.
Come sidetrack out of your routine with me! Although I had to take a detour from my own hurried routine in order for my body to heal, that doesn't mean you have to. And while I had to disconnect from life as I knew it and then learn to adapt to my new reality, it's possible to renew ourselves with short weekend breaks too! I love creating networks for individuals - setting the scene for positive experiences, sharing my love of the woods, and exploring the wealth of creativity with others. I thought about my wonderful network of support and wanted to find a way to share their goodness and expertise with others.
And so Sidetrack Travel was born - to connect you to the local community; to create and explore the great outdoors while also slowing down; and to build a community over farm-to-table dinners sprinkled with a few elements of surprise. Our goal is to not fill every moment, but to instead encourage you to slow down, to delight over the little things, and to sidetrack out of your daily routine with us and make new friends along the way.