Meet Nancy

I have always had an idealistic view of what retirement would be like. As a municipal government employee, it was important to make it to the 20-year mark. It was a difficult task to be sure. Some days were easier than others... a lot like being out on the trail. It takes mental fortitude and endurance. I am 55 years old as I write this and am about 75 days post-retirement. I made it! It has been an experience I wasn't quite prepared to navigate. I didn't retire to my house, of course. I went from one career into another. I now work full time for a non-profit that helps people experiencing homelessness and poverty. It is different and challenging but rewarding every day. There, I am learning about who I really am - and what God created me to do. I had not realized how much I had been altering my personality to match my surroundings until I left government. Now, the layers are falling off and I am meeting Nancy. The real Nancy. And I really like her.

This journey of self-discovery includes some other major life changes. I am experiencing the big one: menopause... or at least the start of it. I am also giving up alcohol, as well. I have been using that to silence and hide the real Nancy for many years. I didn't realize that was happening, but it was. I realized it was a problem in 2019 when I tried to give up alcohol for Lent and couldn't do it. That started a many years long battle to get it out of my life. I am hopeful right now with a pretty good stretch of sobriety. I will share more about that as we go.

I have, for many years, prioritized my health through regular exercise and good nutrition. I like to set goals for myself and build workout programs around them. I have done long distance bike rides, triathlons, half marathons, things of that nature. I once had a goal to hike all of the Texas trails in a year but had to abandon that idea for reasons I won't mention and that really don't matter. I have since picked it back up - in support of a larger goal: to hike Mt. Kilimanjaro in January of 2027. I didn't initially plan to do that hike, but a friend told me about his experience, and it sounded amazing. I had planned to go to Africa already to volunteer at an orphanage there and added the hike onto the trip. I am excited about both opportunities and have built a program around that goal. I created Brown Dog Boondocking as a way to share my experiences with you this year. I will include updates about our adventures, my workouts, my nutrition and my conversations with God along the way.

I hope you enjoy the journey with me!

Lily was sort of an impulse buy. I had been thinking about getting a dog, but wasn't planning to when she came rolling across my Facebook feed. She has been a surprising joy for me. My constant companion. She sees everything with fresh eyes and curiosity. She is fearless and loves adventure. She is the perfect travel companion for this crazy plan of mine.