Archive for : April, 2019

By: Melissa Ann Maida April 19, 2019

Zion National Park PART TWO: Getting Deep in The Narrows

Why did 11 years pass before I hiked The Narrows myself? Dressed in the lime green and gray water proof suit and hiking boots I had rented from the Zion outfitters shop, I looked more like I was going to outer space than hiking. The shuttle bus on the way to the trail head was crowded. It was Spring Break after all. I stood in the center aisle clinging to overhead hand grip with one hand and my walking stick with the other. Gazing out the window I pondered my question. The answer came quickly…

By: Melissa Ann Maida April 19, 2019

Zion National Park PART ONE: Angel’s Landing

When the birthday girl read about Angel’s Landing- a 5790 ft peak that can only be reached by hiking a narrow ridge with 1000 feet drop offs on either side, she was committed to doing it, with or with out the rest of us. When I’d heard about this hike in travelers’ tales, it sounded cool. But on the verge of actually hiking it, I was a little nervous.

About Me

My name is Melissa. I am a nomad. I prefer the mountains over the beach ... Until I'm back at the beach and am reminded of how glorious sunrise yoga beside the ocean is! My hair is always a different color, I'm usually wearing a bandanna on my head, no make-up, mismatched clothes and a beat up pair of Birks. Everything I own fits in a backpack. But this hasn't always been my life... At the start of 2014, I lived in a nice house in the suburbs, drove a brand new car, and had a successful cosmetology career. Recently engaged, I was in the thick of wedding planning. That spring, everything started to change. My dad passed away, I opened a salon, and my sister got married. The chaos of so many major life events, in such a short time, put pressure on my relationship. That July, I called off my wedding. In the midst of all the chaos, I turned to the internet looking for a blog or a book by someone who'd had a similar experience. I desperately wanted to know there was someone out there who survived what I was going through- and maybe get some tips on how they did it? After incessant searching, I found a few fluff pieces but nothing that was exceptionally raw or honest. In that moment I told myself- "If I ever get to the other side of this, I'm going to write my story down to help the next person who finds herself here"... Well, I'm on the other side and am writing down my story...