“Straightforward peasy:” Maine girl traverses Nebraska on American Discovery Path

Oatmeal? He can barely get the phrase out with out throwing up, not to mention digesting precise breakfast. Today, she prefers to eat a cheeseburger.

For DeSanctis, the 39-year-old Maine native higher often called Rocky, that is the fifteenth month of her 6,800-mile quest on the American Discovery Path. If she completes the hike, she’s going to turn into the primary girl to hike all the path alone.

About 4,200 miles down. About 2,600 are lacking.

I wished extra solitude, DeSanctis stated, including how there have been so many individuals tackling the two,200-mile Appalachian Path when he did it in 2015.

After scouring the web for a bigger problem, DeSanctis discovered the ADT map and contacted the American Discovery Path Society.

So, I stated, when you had been to stroll all the course, would I be the primary girl to finish the course? She stated, Undoubtedly, DeSanctis recalled. I used to be like, simple simple. That is what I’ll do.

Beginning at Cape Henlopen in Delaware, the japanese portion of the ADT passes by Maryland, DC, West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky earlier than returning to an intersection in Elizabethtown, Ohio.

From there, there are two choices: the south route and the north route.

The southern route passes by Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas and Colorado; and the northern route passes by Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, and Colorado earlier than rejoining close to Denver, to type the western portion of the path. From there, the ADT meanders by Colorado, Utah, Nevada and California earlier than terminating at Limantour Seaside at Level Reyes Nationwide Seashore.

To date, DeSanctis has managed the japanese and southern routes formally beginning her voyage on Jan. 1, 2022, along with her ft within the Atlantic Ocean.

He has continued to take action ever since, taking a number of days off right here and there to provide introductions and hang around with locals or previous buddies staying in Littleton, Colorado on Nov. 22, 2022.

Initially, DeSanctis wished to proceed trudging up the western portion of the ADT earlier than turning again to clear the northern route, however plans modified, so she returned to Ohio in December to start the phase she is at present on.

The Nebraska portion of the path begins on the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge in Omaha and heads in direction of Lincoln earlier than turning north in direction of Stromsburg and David Metropolis. From there it passes by Central Metropolis, Grand Island, Doniphan, Lowell, Kearney, Cozad, Gothenburg, North Platte, Ogallala and Huge Springs earlier than reducing into Colorado.

I like Colorado. I like the mountains, DeSanctis stated. These items drives you loopy. Simply strolling flat, flat, flat and straight ahead. Each time I see a twist, I believe, Ooh, take a look at that. Or, Oh wow, there is a home! And I will give it some thought for some time, questioning if they’ve pets. But it surely will get actually boring.

Whereas the present circumstances haven’t been probably the most memorable, she has seen all of it.

He encountered each climate situation: beneath zero, above 100, snowstorms, rainstorms, and windstorms, the final of which ended up breaking one in all his tent poles.

He slept in a number of distinctive locations: in his roadside tent, in his trailside tent, in a church in West Virginia, in a number of loos, and in lots of cemeteries.

It is often flat and mowed, in order that they maintain it maintained, DeSanctis stated. I do not sleep on Aunt Mabel, however I’ll sleep on the sting and would not prefer to mild a fireplace there.

When the locals uncover DeSancti’s tent within the desert, their first guess is that he’s a person or, no less than, has a person with him.

A lady strolling alone? Incomprehensible, apparently.

They assume I am a dude, DeSanctis stated. They do not even notice there is a lady in there tenting alone, as a result of they do not assume that is going to occur.

One of many first questions he receives: aren’t you afraid of being robbed?

She laughs. No it’s not.

I need folks to appreciate that this world is just not as scary a spot as everybody retains pondering it’s, DeSanctis stated. Are you aware how many individuals have advised me to not drive by East St. Louis? I simply handed by there. The one folks I noticed had been building staff they usually waved.

His greatest concern is not folks. They are not even coyotes. His pet canine. Again on the Buckeye Path in Ohio, there have been a number of imply canine that approached her, she stated.

One thing else it’s conscious of: how it’s perceived.

In bigger metropolitan areas, the idea is that she is homeless.

However he is making an attempt to interrupt the stigma. In Omaha she purchased and handed out cheeseburgers to anybody in want of meals.

Folks see me with a backpack on and wink at me like I am homeless, DeSanctis stated. After which in that bag are 150 cheeseburgers that I am giving to hungry folks, to show a degree right here. Not all homeless persons are dangerous folks. I am making an attempt to pressure folks to see it my approach.

With roughly 2,600 miles to go, DeSanctis cannot wait to see what lies forward.

He’s excited to see the Colorado mountains once more and to see the great thing about Utah. Nevada, she’s nervous about. That part of the path could be very distant, so she plans to have folks pour some water.

If all goes to plan, DeSanctis hopes to hit the top of the paths by the primary week of November.

I am solely saying this as a result of it is my birthday, DeSanctis stated. I believe it might be good to complete my fortieth birthday.

There’s a variety of time and 1000’s of miles between every now and then, however she already is aware of what she’s going to do when she’s completed.

First, it is going to set foot within the Pacific Ocean.

He will certainly have many tales to inform.