It was a journey, a long journey. One full of adventure, new experiences, excruciatingly heavy packs, blistered feet, laughter, and many tears. A journey not so full of clean clothes, fast food, comforts of home, or showers. It was a journey in to adulthood. It was a journey of self-discovery.

For me, it was a journey that would change my life, shape the person I have become, and provide me with the tools I would need to conquer life. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about my journey. Everyday brings new and exciting challenges that I can now face with the confidence to overcome them. Mine was a journey I would not trade for the entire world.

It was four summers ago when I stood in the opening circle the first day of the trek, terrified and completely over whelmed. I was the oldest of the six on the first ever all girls trek. We played, sang, fought, cried, laughed, listened, and somewhere along the way, we found ourselves. That was our journey. It was the hardest experience of my life, both physically and emotionally, yet the most rewarding. Four weeks of hiking, two weeks on the boundary waters (during which we were extremely fortunate to have Lorri with us), two showers, one bear sighting, and countless dehydrated meals later, four of us girls graduated as powerful young women.

I now stand at the brink of the biggest life change I have yet to experience; one foot in my childhood, and one in adulthood. Just one semester from graduating from Texas Christian University, I find myself with no reservations or fears of what the future holds. The life lessons gained on my journey have given me the confidence to take that final step into adulthood with no hesitations.

I am forever grateful to Soltreks for everything I learned those six weeks in Minnesota. For the friends I made and for the incredible role models I found in Doug and Lorri, who continue to be a huge part of my life as well as inspirations.

When Lorri first presented me with the idea for an alumni trek, I leap at the chance to be involved. It is huge honor to be asked to help organize such an incredible opportunity and try to give back to Soltreks some of all they gave to me. I can hardly wait to be back on the boundary waters once again, making new friends and reconnecting with old ones, discovering even more about myself and giving others the opportunity to do the same. See you all there!!!


Best Wishes to You All!

Jessica Litchfield
SAP II 2001