After 1,400 miles of hiking north, I was no longer wondering whether I could reach Canada. I was wondering why I was still walking. That's when a young doe stepped onto the trail behind me.

Nearly 800 miles into hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, I discovered I wasn't just walking north. The trail had given me something I hadn't realized I'd been missing: spaciousness.

I don't remember deciding who I needed to become. I only remember living as though it were true