Lila Off Leash

Getting a taste of nomad life for a week in Montana was exactly what I needed to spark excitement for the journey ahead and reassure me that I made the right decision to explore. I had the most amazing time at Glacier National Park that I'm actually still in awe as I write this a week later. I can't believe I waited this long to make this life change but the timing is more perfect than ever so - once again - everything seems to work out in the long run. I'm not new to physical activity, adventures, adrenaline rushes, or testing my boundaries but I am new to hiking up mountains. Brand spank'n new. Let me just tell you, it's unlike anything I've ever experienced. Maybe it's because I'm from a small beach town, but the mountains have this majestic power of drawing me in. There's something so powerful about climbing up a mountain, looking down at where you started, and knowing that your own two feet and willpower got you there, one step at a time.  Here...

  Welcome to my "day one." I'm Lila and this is my ride or die Harlie. I rescued her from a kill shelter when she was 10 weeks old and we've been inseparable ever since. I was sitting at this very spot when I decided that I needed to change my life. I didn't know exactly how or when, but I knew in my bones I needed to let myself off the leash of expectations others put on me, the ones I put on myself, and let myself live my life the way I’ve always wanted to. I learned firsthand that sometimes everything has to fall apart before it can come together. As Instagram says, "perspective is the difference between wildflowers and weeds." I'll always choose to see the wildflowers, and that's how I created this grande adventure for myself. After all, it really does work out the way it's supposed to. I know, one cliche after another but they're cliches for a reason. For at least 5 years now, I've had this lingering feeling, "is this it?...