On June 8, 2015 I left my small town in Pennsylvania to discover what the world had to offer. It turns out life taught me the most important lesson of all that very first week: even if you plan everything out meticulously, there are going to be a lot of speed-bumps along the way.

I needed to organize my thoughts about this entire year, and I thought what better way than a visual diary? Enjoy:

June 8, 2015

I boarded the plane on my first solo adventure to Denver, and then a connecting flight to the Bozeman airport in Montana. It was exhilarating and empowering to just fend for myself. I took my time finding my connecting gate and even explored the large Denver airport. By the time I reached my lodging for the night, I absolutely knew that this was the kind of life I wanted.

June 9, 2015

Onward to Yellowstone! I was supposed to work at Yellowstone National Park for the summer, but ended up leaving after two days. This was my first time actually trying to take good travel photos for my blog.

Early August, 2015

Skip forward two months and I’m out and about exploring the Allegheny National Forest. That summer was a complete whirlwind of drama. I feel like I had a mid-life crisis at 18.

August 12, 2015

My first trip I took solely for the purpose of blogging it. I went up to Niagara Falls for the day and explored the local botanical gardens, as well. This was about the time that I really started getting fascinated by photography.

August 29, 2015

Meltdown #2 had commenced days prior and I was feeling the aftershock. I dropped out of university to the dismay of my family. This day in particular though, I spent some time hiking Buzzard Swamps and clearing my mind; completely infatuated with the idea I wanted to be a travel blogger.

October 1, 2015

Still feeling a bit lost about which direction my life should go in, I took a quick day trip to Cook Forest State Park. I climbed a real fire tower and lost my shit about it.

October 23, 2015

I’m getting a bit more comfortable with travelling alone. Spend the day wandering around Oil Creek State Park and enjoying the fall scenery.

November 27, 2015

About a month in now to my full time job. I had just gotten off the graveyard shift and was surprised by this sunrise. The hospitality industry ended up not being as glamorous as I had pictured, but it helped me refocus on the steps I needed to take, so that I didn’t end up working that job forever.

March 10, 2016

Fast forward a couple months and a lot has changed. I started the spring semester at community college. Quit my hotel job and started working retail. Still dreaming of a life of adventure.

April 7, 2016

My 19th birthday comes and goes too quick. Thinking: what am I doing with my life?

April 16, 2016

A beautiful sunset looms as I leave my current retail job. This is about the time I decided I needed to transfer to a bachelor program and get serious.

May 8, 2016

Accepted into Westminster College! Celebratory double day trip to Elk State Park and Bendigo State Park.

June 8, 2016

Spent the day working mostly, but secretly celebrating the fact that I’ve made it an entire year into my adult life.

This last year has been nuts. I’m still not completely sure of where I’m going, but it’s nice to be able to look back and see all the things I’ve done.

xoxo