Autumn is my favorite season

"Autumn is like a second Spring where every leaf is a flower!"

Today my family and I went for a short hike around some of the state parks here in Nebraska. We enjoyed the cooler temperatures and beautiful fall leaves! Autumn has always been my favorite season. The weather, the leaves and just the all around good feeling! It's the best time of year for hiking and camping, You can build campfires and roast S'mores, go on hay rides, play in the leaves, wear jackets, scarves and boots... To me fall is just all around fun! I'm so thankful that God chose to give us a change of seasons. Each one just as important as the other. Each having their own specific  "theme" that brings happiness to different types of people. For me it's Autumn... What's yours? So go out and enjoy the weather and beautiful leaves!
God Bless~
Katlyn

I Love Fall! Especially this tree!



This weather called for a warm hoodie
and headband!

These red maple leaves were gorgeous

The red carpet runway:)

This beautiful tree has 3 different colors

Just Hanging around training for "American Ninja Warrior"

These are tricky! We can all dream right?:)

Pondering Life's Pathway

I have been  pondering my life lately and going over events that have happened in it. I really began to realize how very blessed I was growing up and still am to this day. I think about the blessing that I have two loving parents who support me in everything and my grandma who went out of her way and above her means to help us along our journey. I am even blessed enough to still have my great grandma alive to make memories with. I've talked to a lot of my friends lately who don't have grandparents, or take them for granted and never contact them unless it's a birthday or holiday. If you really think about it none of us would be here if it wasn't for our grandparents. I know seeing a loved one grow old is really hard, but they are still that same person who cared for you as a child or grandchild. The same grandma who prepared Christmas dinner every year and never complained or the same grandpa who would fix a broken toy when you were small. I guess I'm just trying to say never take them for granted. One day you won't have them anymore and you can't ask them about how they make their homemade rolls or how to sew a granny square. Whether they are in assisted living or on life support, never waste a moment that you could be visiting them. Take the time to hear their stories about growing up when times were harder or about being a young boy in the old wars. All of these times and stories will be lost and gone forever if we don't take the time to hear them, write them down, enjoy them. Spending that month with my great grandma in April and this past week I've enjoyed it so much. I've learned so much about her and our family. Why she won't eat green beans, how she met my great grandpa, how she worked really hard to care for her 9 children. How she and Grandpa moved closer to town so they could start a business and be closer to school for their children. Stories of loosing my great Uncle at a young age, how life goes on from there or how they had to drive my grandma to the hospital to deliver Dad. These are stories I want to be able to tell my children and grandchildren for years. I think about how I never visited her for 10 years and never really thought to call her , but she NEVER forgot my birthday. She has probably 60 people to think about and call, send cards to, but she never forgot about me, even when I didn't call or come see her. These are memories I never want to forget. If you haven't talked to someone or seen them lately, pick up the phone or go visit them. You will be glad that you did down the road. No one is guaranteed tomorrow or even another minute. Use the time while you have it. May God Bless your week! Katlyn

Visiting Eli's School

I was honored to be able to speak at one of  Denver Public school's fifth grade classes while we were there. Our friends son, Eli asked me if I would be the " show and tell" for his classroom. I enjoyed it  ( after 2 days of nervousness) and I was quite impressed with some of their questions for me about our hike. I really wish everyone could have the joy and curiosity of a child. It was such a blessing to spend this fun hour with these children full of interesting questions and complete curiosity. I enjoyed watching and helping them try on my 40 pound backpack! It really brought to life the scriptures about having the faith of a child and the Game show " Are you smarter then a 5th grader?" This weekend we leave Nebraska to head back south to Alabama. On our home way we are going out of the way through Texas and Louisiana because I've been asked to speak at a youth group of around 200 teens . I will be speaking on November 4th and I am super excited! We will also be going on a new adventurous road trip through New Orleans, so keeping watching for my photos and history posts from this adventure.

 If you know of a youth group or school/ college that would enjoy hearing our about our journey, I am available. Contact me at: backpackingkatydid@gmail.com. May God Bless your week! 

Mrs. Natalie's 5th grade Class

Eli and I!:)

Mission Accomplished

Where do I begin?

It is very difficult to put into words the feeling of Accomplishment.

Whether it be small or large, It's still great in the eyes of it's achiever .

Last Saturday my family and I completed our 5,000 Mile Trek across America in Denver Colorado.

As most of you already know we started on March 24th 2014 in Delaware at Cape Henlopen State Park.... We walked until November 17th 2014 where the snow stopped us from climbing the Rocky Mountains west of Denver. We wintered over until April in Cozad , Nebraska. We then took a Amtrak Train from Omaha Nebraska to Richmond California. When we arrived in Richmond a good friend drove us to Point Reyes National Seashore on May 2nd where we began the last 2,000  miles of our journey. 

From Point Reyes we walked East through Nevada and Utah. There we faced harsh temperatures and sandstorms, lots of spiders and rattlesnakes. When we got to Colorado we slowed everything down and enjoyed the last month of our trip. We stayed with many more families, made many more lifetime friends and found some amazing new vacation spots! We were blessed enough to have beat the snow this year and the weather was lovely for hiking in the mountains among the fall aspen leaves! On October 17th after an amazing week of staying with our friends in Denver..... We finally did it!

We walked the last 4 miles up cherry creek bike trail downtown to Union Station where we met with a few friends and family from several states and a Denver Post reporter to celebrate our big accomplishment. The American Discovery Trail had one of the board of directors with an award for Completing the American Discovery Trail and for being the only family to ever hike it. I was also presented with one for being the youngest to hike the trail! We also became Ambassador for the American Discover Trail... This all being said, If you have a Goal or a Dream... Never give up on it! Never let anything get in your way. You can do anything you put your mind to, from Climbing Mount Everest to running a 5K. It's Possible! 

May God Bless You!

The End is Near!

I'm so excited to announce that we're almost done! The end is truly near!

We finish on October 17th! 

Colorado has been the most amazing state. People are friendly loving and super helpful! If your from Colorado you should be proud of it! 😊

The scenery is absolutely breathtaking! God is truly amazing! 

Crystal River Mill

Colorful Colorado

Where do I start?
Colorado is a magical place... Filled with Aspen and Fir trees, Alpine Lakes, Bear, Moose and Elk roam free untouched by man.... The mountains are extremely difficult and the elevations high, but the views are amazing! You start early in the morning and climb until the afternoon, you ream the peak out of breath and tired.. You sit down to enjoy some cool mountain stream water and take in the beauty of the summit. It's difficult and tiring, but the reward.... Unbelievable! You would never know what this is like unless you faced the rocks and boulders, climbed up the steep switchback trails for hours, crossed rushing creeks only to get your foot wet on the last step! All of this and you are still amazed EVERY time you reach the top... It's like a whole new world waiting for you to glimpse its beauty. Beauty God set aside for those who choose to meet the challenges that come!
With the beauty of Fall almost here and the cooler temperatures that follow... Please go outdoors and enjoy the amazing wonders God has made for you!
Happy Hiking~
Katlyn🌲

Family selfie

Mama and I

Crossing a creek

Colorado sunrays

Our lovely new REI Half some 4

Filtering mountain water with my
Sawyer mini

Aspen trees

My friend Emily & I with
Her adorable puppy Mowgli

Marmot hanging out by
The lake!

Utah~Colorado Border

 I am so excited to announce that

We are in colorado!! Only 550 miles or so before we complete our 5'000 mile hike across America!

I am so thankful for this opportunity at such a young age. Most people aren't this fortunate! 

Hopefully I will blog more through Colorado! 

Peace, Light & Love of Jesus

Katlyn✌

Canyonlands National Park

Utah Highway walking

Glory clouds

Baby Horny Toad!

Beautiful Rainbow of Westwater Ranger
Station

Selfie!!