The pandemic came crashing in on me and I felt stuck and quite lost. I struggled really hard with who I was and what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. In the beginning of June, I chose myself for the first time in forever. I came further out of the closet and changed my preferred names and pronouns. I resigned from my job of 5 years that I loved but wasn’t in love with anymore. And I went to the only place I have ever found solitude, the outdoors. I boon-docked from Arizona to Pennsylvania by myself. This was one of many beautiful places that helped me find myself again along the way. The mountains were calling, and I’m so glad that I went.
Sincerely,
New River Gorge National Park & Preserve
This national park site includes 53 miles of the New River, a federally recognized Wild and Scenic River, as well as the deep gorge that surrounds it.
State(s): West Virginia
Established: 1978
“they save lives.”
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