Trail Work Karma

"What goes around comes around", a phrase that rings true all aspects of life, including but not limited to living in far-away places for a season of trail work.

Leaving my Boston-life behind was tough last summer, but I knew I had to do it for the great opportunity to lead teen trail crews. I needed to get out of the city and do something different. I had to put myself first and "seize the day", as they say. In the end I gained much more than I missed out on, and I came back a happier person. So when Adam started moping around I knew I should suggest applying to be a trail crew leader. At the same time, I didn't want to suggest it because I knew he would get the job and karma would bite me in the ass. I left him in Boston last summer, and now he would leave me here this summer.

And wouldn't you know it, I WAS RIGHT. He put in an application late by seasonal standards, so when two of his three job choices were already filled I got nervous. I didn't want him to leave, but I desperately wanted him to move on from his job and the city even if it meant leaving me behind for a while. When he was offered a job on the Maine Professional Trail Crew, I thought, "I wanted you to get out of the city, but not THAT far out".

"Just remember who the original axe-bearer in this family is"

I say that half in jest, because from what I've heard the AMC property in Maine is amazing and I know he will be working with and for great people. On the other hand, he'll be ~5.5 hours away in an unorganized territory.... yes, one of those places with no name... with no cell phone service. It's daunting for both of us, especially because he'll be working both Summer and Fall seasons. I will finish our my service year here in Boston and then... well, who knows. I'll do something, somewhere, probably ;)

But on a positive note, he gets to go be a true lumberjack (not to be confused with Lumberjack) in the Maine woods which is really awesome. I'm super jealous, but I'll be doing trail-worky things here, too, and I think my summer will go incredibly fast. 

Suddenly life has been flung into overdrive as we try to plan goodbyes with friends, family, and coworkers. On top of that, we have to fit in a trip to Pennsylvania, our 62-mile Tour De Cure ride, my increasingly busy field season schedule, both of our REI schedules, and getting him ready with all he will need for the summer season. All in the next 18 days! WHAT THE HECK! 

I learned last summer that sometimes you're in a place physically, mentally, whatever, that you don't like, you're seemingly stuck in a rut with no real prospects in the near future when all of a sudden your life is flung into overdrive with a big change that's happening, like, RIGHT NOW (OH SHIT). It's stressful, it causes anxiety, but in the end it's worth it. 

Get your own axe, JEEZ ;)

Also, if anyone has tips on living like a bachelorette please share them. I've never lived alone so I'm equally nervous and excited for what that will be like!