All Paths Lead to Family
How Trekking Thousands of Miles Together Has Shaped the Strawbridge Clan
PHOTOS PROVIDED BY THE STRAWBRIDGE FAMILY
Meet the Strawbridge family
Many years ago, Monica Strawbridge had a dream. Hiking the Appalachian trail with a friend was on her bucket list, but, with four kids at home, she knew it would be quite a few years before this dream would come true. Instead of waiting, her husband, Vince, came up with the crazy idea to hike the Pacific Crest Trail–yes, the 2,650 mile trail that stretches from the Canada border to the Mexico border–and bring their kids along even though their youngest, Georgie, was only 11. Rather than calling it a day after hiking the PCT, the Strawbridges felt like their journey was just beginning. As Vince explained it, after the first thru-hike, “we couldn’t shut the valve off.”
Over the next few years, the family of six achieved the “Triple Crown,” which means they completed all three major long-distance hiking trails in the US: the Pacific Crest Trail (in 2018), the Continental Divide Trail (in 2020) and the Appalachian Trail (in 2021). Together, these three trails are nearly 8,000 miles long, meaning that there was a lot of time for the family to grow together and learn things about themselves and each other.
After completing these hikes, Vince knew the story needed to be shared with more than just friends and family. He decided to write a book, “Pretty Good at Walking.” The book highlights memorable moments from their adventures, both the positive and the difficult, in order to draw comparisons between lessons in life and what the kids (and their parents) experienced on the trail. The book is also a celebration of the courage and dedication that Vince and Monica recognize in their children for completing these treks.
Vince is part of the Strawbridge legacy that includes three generations known as trusted home construction and renovation experts. He is also the co-owner of Strawnix Waterfront Solutions, a state certified marine contractor that constructs seawalls, boathouses and docks. Vince embodies hard work—and when the time comes to play, he obviously chooses more grueling recreational activities than most.
Life on the trail
Hiking 2,000-3,000 miles in four months is not exactly, as the Strawbridges would admit, a walk in the park, even with your family beside you the entire way. Difficulties on the trail like freezing temperatures, rain storms, uphill paths, hunger and even the threat of a bear encounter can lead to a loss of motivation, which is not something a hiker can afford with hundreds (or even thousands) of miles left to go.
Each family member had a slightly different answer about what inspires them to keep going despite the challenges. For June, it’s music–specifically Disney music. Georgie is also motivated by music (and snacks) but having an activity to focus on, like her trail photography (showcased throughout this article), is also a helpful distraction. Monica often chooses to listen to sermons or audio books over music, and for Vince, it’s all about having smaller, more attainable goals to achieve, like reaching the next town or finding a peaceful spot to have a drink of water, rest and recharge.
Although the younger Strawbridge kids were not completing schoolwork while hiking—they chose to do their homeschool coursework during the summer instead–there was much to be learned on the trail. Some of these discoveries were amusing, like Georgie’s intense dislike of waking up, and how most of them hate hiking in the cold. They also found out that some family members become an entirely different person on the trail. Vince is up (and full of energy) at 5 a.m., Aiden reacts well in a crisis–like the threat of a mountain lion, but you’ll have to ask Monica about that one–and Henry doesn’t panic no matter what is happening around him.
June realized something about herself while hiking. She has a tendency to give up when she is 90 percent of the way up a hill, a trait that she found herself repeating in post-trail life. Recognizing her inclination to give up while hiking actually allowed her to find solutions for the often steep hills of life, both physical and metaphorical.
While a difficult and lengthy trek can lead to new anxieties about wildlife, storms and injury, it can also lead, as it did for this family, to gratitude for the provisions they had on the trail. Many long distance hikers will talk about “trail magic” or the idea that the trail will provide what you need when you need it. Vince credits God for the protection and provision that he and his family experienced on their journey. Of course, things did go wrong on the trail; getting lost and dog bites to name just a couple. But, as Georgie explained, nothing ever went so wrong that they couldn’t keep going. “It was always something we could fix right then…thinking about how much…God protected us was just so cool.”
Monica and Vince also noted that being on the trail has given their family an appreciation for simplicity–one can’t rely on luxuries like cars, deodorant and toilet paper on the Appalachian Trail–and empathy for those who have no choice but to live outside, like the homeless community.
By the Numbers
7660 miles
389 days
19.69 mi per day
86 pairs of shoes
11 phones
1 haircut
Life after the trail
After finishing each of the long-distance hikes, the Strawbridge family had the entirely unsurprising tradition of finding the best food near them and enjoying a well-earned meal together. Their second priority, Monica explained, was a shower. Of course, there were other things the kids couldn’t wait to do. Getting back into soccer and horseback riding, surrounding themselves with friends and family and having the freedom to wear clothes other than the single outfit that they were allowed on the trail were all immediate goals as well.
One of the first things Vince would do after getting home was begin planning the next hike. Post-trail depression is a real issue that affects long distance hikers. After spending four to five months walking and only worrying about the immediate needs like finding water, making it to the next town and beating the storm, the transition back into “real life” can be a difficult one. Being at home with so many options–what to wear, what to eat, who to see–can feel overwhelming, especially at first, and the Strawbridges experienced these struggles as many others do. Everyday tasks, like going to the grocery store, Monica explained, can be strange. Having so many options (finally something other than tuna and cheese) takes time to get used to. What is the cure for this post-trail depression? Having the next long-distance hike on the horizon, of course!
Onto the next trail
The Strawbridge family, it seems, is never truly done with hiking. After so many days walking together, the trail has become part of who they are individually and as a family. Georgie and Vince are currently conquering the HexaTrek, a three month hike across France, through the Alps and the Pyrenees Mountains. They will be joined for several weeks by Monica, June and Aiden for different periods of their 3,000 kilometer journey. Unsurprisingly, Vince and Georgie won’t just be hiking the trail in the same way that most people do. While it takes most individuals around 120 days to finish the HexaTrek, Vince and Georgie will be setting a faster pace and finishing it in 105 days.
While the days of all six family members hiking together are mostly behind them, the Strawbridges did not leave the Pacific Crest Trail or the Continental Divide Trail or the Appalachian Trail as the same people who began them. Completing the Triple Crown is more than just an impressive achievement or a bragging right. It signifies the completion of a mentally and physically challenging accomplishment that would not have been possible without the direct support of family during the hikes. It represents the thousands of small moments and miles that make up each family member’s trail experience.
The Strawbridges will never forget the things that happened to them during their time on the trails: when June, an equestrian at heart, had the opportunity to see wild horses at the top of a hill, when Georgie was separated from her family and sat down to listen to music while waiting for them and the song that happened to play when she hit shuffle–“Rescue” by Lauren Daigle–couldn’t have been more fitting or when Monica accidentally dropped the last remaining bear spray into the river right as the family was heading into grizzly country. While it is true that every trail must come to an end, it seems that the paths Vince and Monica Strawbridge have led their children on in life are the kind that will always lead them back to each other.
Follow their Hexatrek journey on Instagram:
@strawbridgetreks
Buy the book on Amazon:
“Pretty Good at Walking” by Vince Strawbridge