Life After a Thru-hike

I thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2015 and aim to accomplish the PCT next year! I hope to encourage folks get out on the trail and enjoy nature. Thanks for following :)

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twitter: @homemadeWL
Instagram: homemadewanderlust

[barbarashirland]

Bravo! The itch for a more authentic life has hit. Mine never, and I do mean NEVER went away after backpacking. So I saved up, bought 5 acres of woods and live off grid in a tiny house without electricity except solar for charging small electronics. I catch water. I have a composting toilet. This way of life scratches that itch in a sustained way. Highly recommended. PS I'm in Central Virginia so heat isn't such an issue.

[survivahillbillity]

All of your videos have been inspirational in one way or another. What with your excitement, demeanor, postivity and all around adorableness...this video however, takes the inspiration to a new level. Preach girl!!! What IS real?

[willdupuis]

What I find interesting is, a lot of the things you are describing are very similar to what someone experiences when returning home after serving in the Military.

[CatherineGregoryAdventures]

Thank you for sharing your perspective. I get what you're saying even though I haven't done a thru-hike. I have almost completed Section A of the PCT through various day hikes and have started backpacking and hiking the Sierras this summer and fall. I can't get enough of being on the trail. I call myself the ultimate weekend warrior because most all of my hikes I squeeze into the weekends that I have off. I can't wait for you to start your PCT thru-hike and to follow your adventures. Maybe I'll even see you out there as I section hike. ;) Keep living the dream!

[roberthollis]

That is awesome! I did a thru hike 25+ years ago. It never leaves you. Since then I have slowly gotten more and more comfortable in my travels...as I get older, but I never stop for to long in one place. After the hike - I first lived off grid for 5+ years in Colorado mountains, Then 6 month bike toured Europe, then traveled in a big military truck around the country.
I have never changed. Now at 54 years old I am building a "comfortable" truck camper on a better truck to move into the wild for a couple of years...or more.
Keep on keeping on girl! You have done a wonderful thing and the experience never leaves you. Life is so much simpler than most people allow it to be.

[tippersteffi]

Great enthusiasm, thanks for the perspective

[taylor]

I travelled for research to Ethiopia and came back and just like you said I was patient and inspired and changed ahhh what a relief I thought it was just me

[DavidSJ_DAP]

I have been nothing but impressed with this woman since I discovered this channel, and am proud to count myself among her patrons...It is gratifying to me to see how the changes she went through and the person she became on the AT are a permanent transformation...I'm looking forward to following her PCT hike next year...

GO DIXIE!

[pm]

Dixie this was your best video yet. You expressed what most people go through after a life changing adventure whether it be an AT hike, a long mission trip or possibly even a military deployment. What strikes me as unique is your ability to paint a clear picture of the changed you in a positive and affirming a way. I think your next book should be on this subject with the focus being to help both the adventurer and their significant others understand and be in a better position to cope with the "reintegration". So many people end up divorced after returning from a life changing adventure simply because they nor their families have the tools to cope with the "new you". I think a book of this sort would be of great service.

[claireverdoorn]

I love this! I’ve been binge watching your videos in the gym and they are such good motivation to keep going so I can hike the AT someday. I just love your perspective, your genuine manner of talking, and your expertise. So cool!

[JaxxDrinkwater]

Excellent analogy, with the pepper comparison. Glad to see you out there chasing your dreams. Thanks for sharing :)

[mikezak]

You are so cool and inspiring... I planned to do the AT 10 years ago and then life got in the way. I have a new philosophy- The AT is going to get in the way of the bullshit. I'm 55 and am scared that those lost 10 years will make it more challenging. I am luckily healthy (still) just don't move like I did when I was 40... I have camping, hiking, outdoors experience and am confident that save a serious injury or some other tragic event- I will complete the dream. You have reinspired me since I put it on the back burner. Would be sweet to run into you in 2022, if not, I will report my adventures. Well, 1 or 2... Thanks! Again- you're awesome!

[Heartlanddualsport]

Excellent video young lady. Thank you so much for sharing this information with us all. Thank you so very much and have a blessed week.
Keep up the great videos.

[mrcnorth]

A+ Dixie. I couldn't agree more.

[danielbegin]

Dixie, thank you once again for sharing with us, you continue to be such an inspiration. This world needs more people like you. And you absolutely don't need make-up.

[amazingcaucasian]

loved the talk about people already living the zombie apocalypse. NAILED IT!! I'm aiming for a 2018 thru hike and you tubers like u are a big inspiration that help to keep me excited until that day. thanks for taking all the time and effort to share your experience with us. I truly believe it changes people's lives and congratulations for your all achievements on and off the trail. best wishes to you and good luck on the PCT.

[carolinacowgirl]

I sorta felt the same thing after I worked at a summer camp. i spent 3 months completely emerged in camp lala land, and when I came home I didn't know what to do with myself. I had previously sold all but one of my horses and gave away all of my livestock, so I didn't have my farm to come back to either. I'm sure life post trail is much more amplified, but I understand what you mean. Luckily I get to look forward to next summer!

[christinewhack]

Yeah! Happy you are going to do the PCT! I love your videos and one day I will section or thru hike both of these! Thanks for being an inspiration and living your beautiful life the best you can.

[Larry]

Great advice for anyone to go by! Love the vids as always!

[smnash]

Thanks for sharing. Your post trail experiences were much like my 20, 000 mile 4 month road trip where I lived and camped out of my car and drove across country up to AK. Excited that you discovered this as a young woman. I was in my late Rock on sweet woman.